Texas media really reaches with laughable comparison between Arch Manning and LSU legend

Arch Manning has been the most disappointing quarterback in college football so far this season. Manning taking over as QB1 for the Longhorns was all anyone could talk about this offseason. Professional oddsmakers even made Manning the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and Texas the favorites to win the National Championship. The hype train was real, but it's already in danger of falling off the tracks.

Manning got off to a rough start in his starting debut against Ohio State, as he threw for just 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Texas fans were eager for Arch to put on a show against San Jose State and UTEP in the following weeks, but that didn't happen. Instead, Arch again looked overwhelmed, confused, and inaccurate. It got so bad for the redshirt sophomore that Longhorn fans started boo'ing Manning and the Texas offense after a sluggish start against UTEP last Saturday. In the game, Manning posted a measly 26.5 QBR against the Miners.

Texas fans and media alike are scrambling to find any positives related to Manning through three weeks of the season. A post on X (formerly Twitter) from Orangebloods.com is making the rounds on social media after the media company tried comparing Arch Manning's start in 2025 to Joe Burrow's start in 2018. To say it's a stretch is an understatement.

For starters, Burrow came to LSU in May of 2018 and immediately needed to quickly learn a new system. He had a short amount of time to get acclimated with LSU's offensive scheme, as well as his new coaches and teammates. Manning has been with the same team with the same coach for over two seasons now. He's had plenty of time to get familiar with Steve Sarkisian's scheme, and it still isn't clicking. Manning can turn things around, but making this comparison at this point in time is grasping at straws.

Manning has had the luxury of playing two of his three games against far lesser opponents and has still looked objectively bad. It's one thing to struggle on the road against Ohio State in the season-opener, but Manning underperformed against San Jose State and UTEP as well.

Burrow faced a pair of top-10 teams in his first three games back in 2018, with both games taking place away from Baton Rouge. No. 25 LSU faced No. 8 Auburn in the season opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in Week 1, and then battled No. 7 Auburn on the road in Week 3. Despite playing a tougher schedule through three games, Burrow still posted better numbers than Manning. Not to mention he led his team to a 3-0 start with two top-10 wins. Overall, Burrow managed the offense better and didn't try to force anything. The same can't be said for Manning.

Perhaps most notably, despite having less time to learn his new team's offensive system, Burrow didn't throw an interception over his first three games as an LSU Tiger. Manning has thrown a pick in all three games so far this season.

These are two very different situations. Manning benefitted from being in the same system for multiple years before making his starting debut, and has played a lesser schedule. Despite those advantages, he's still looked in over his head. He can turn things around, but this point in time, trying to compare Manning to Burrow in any capacity is laughable.