A reporter from Oklahoma taking aim at Texas Longhorns, Arch Manning hits right in the Red River Rivalry nerve
An Oklahoma beat writer gave quite the hot take assessment at SEC Media Days. Here’s what he had to say about one of the most-hyped seasons ever in college football.
Heading into the 2025 season, few topics draw more attention than who is playing quarterback for your particular college football program. And there may not be a room more important than the one in Austin, Texas on the campus of the University of Texas.
And now, one bold Oklahoma-based reporter has poured a little proverbial gasoline on the Red River Rivalry fire with a scorching hot take.
"There will be a point this year that the internet is abuzz & people out of Austin are wondering if they should bench Arch Manning," Eddie Radosevich said at SEC Media Days this month.
Radosevich's hot take came during an interview on That SEC Podcast on Digital Drive in Atlanta at SEC Media Days. Granted the hosts asked for a hot take for the 2025 season. But, Radosevich was calculated and quick to throw the jab in there. It’s not just another jab in the eternal Oklahoma-Texas rivalry — it’s a direct shot at the most talked-about young quarterback in college football and arguably the most hyped recruit ever in the modern era.
Arch Manning, the crown jewel of Texas's 2023 class, obviously carries one of the most famous last names in football. The expectations were always going to be daunting and the hype was always going to be nuts.
But now, those expectations, fair or not, are being criticized — not just by fans, but now by rival analysts predicting chaos before Manning even takes a snap at Ohio Stadium August 30.
Sure, college football fans can be impatient. But, do we really think Steve Sarkisian doesn't expect the learning curve to be steep?
If Texas stumbles in the opener versus the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes or Manning shows any signs of the pressure getting to him, every armchair quarterback on the internet is going to erupt. And in today’s college football climate filled with Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube "experts", online momentum has the potential to spill over into the locker room.
To Radosevich's credit, he didn't call for Manning to be benched. He merely alluded to the public pressure around the Texas program and Sarkisian to be coerced into doing it. Last season, former Longhorn now Miami Dolphin Quinn Ewers led Texas to a CFP semifinal berth and the SEC championship game. But, despite the deep run into the playoffs, he still received a ton of criticism from fans and media.
Still, the Oklahoma correspondent didn't hesitate to give his thoughts when Arch Mania was brought up on the show.
"I think he's going to be a great quarterback, don't get me wrong," Radosevich said earlier in the interview. "I think the hype built around him and to the same extent, with (Oklahoma quarterback) John Mateer, it's been surprising to look from the inside out and see how respected he has been and what everybody has thought about him through his first couple years."
With all this said, I don't think anyone would be shocked if Arch Manning had a great season.
In fact, I would say Texas fans need to be very excited and expect a great year. I've said as much. Manning has the skill set, the pedigree, the athleticism, and the poise in Sarkisian's offense to thrive. But, if there is even the slightest hiccup or miscue, Manning will be criticized like no other quarterback we have seen in recent years.
We are a month away from the Longhorns and Buckeyes kicking off and all eyes will be on Arch Manning. The hype will only grow and the buzz will be deafening regardless of results all season long.
