The 2025 college football season kicked off with a seismic clash between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State, and no one was more vocal in the lead-up than ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. The SEC Network analyst spent the offseason hyping Texas quarterback Arch Manning as “the best player we’ve seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow.” But after Manning’s lackluster performance in a 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes, Finebaum found himself in the hot seat, issuing a public mea culpa for his bold predictions. Let’s dive into Finebaum’s apology, the fallout, and what it means for Manning and Texas moving forward.
The Hype That Started It All
All summer, Finebaum championed Manning as college football’s next big thing. On shows like SEC Nation and Get Up, he declared Manning a Heisman favorite and predicted Texas would “beat Ohio State badly.” His most eye-catching claim came just hours before the August 30, 2025, kickoff: “This is the best player we’ve seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow.” The comparison raised eyebrows, elevating Manning above recent stars like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, despite the redshirt sophomore’s limited experience (just 95 career passes before the season).
Finebaum’s enthusiasm wasn’t baseless. Manning, the grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli, carried a five-star pedigree and was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class. His flashes of brilliance in limited action last season, combined with Texas’ strong roster, fueled sky-high expectations. Finebaum even doubled down after early backlash, defending Manning’s “magic, majesty, and buzz” on Get Up in July. But Week 1 would put those words to the test.
Manning’s Rough Debut
Facing Ohio State’s suffocating defense, led by coordinator Matt Patricia, Manning struggled mightily. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, with one touchdown and a costly third-quarter interception. His first half was particularly shaky, going 5-for-10 for just 26 yards, with no passes longer than five yards until after halftime adjustments. Texas didn’t score until late in the fourth quarter, and Manning’s performance was described by Finebaum himself as “underwhelming,” “uncomfortable,” and “mostly terrible” on SportsCenter the next day.
Social media erupted, with fans and analysts roasting Finebaum for his preseason hype. Posts on X mocked him, with one user joking, “I’d like to know where PAUL FINEBAUM is right now!” Even wrestling legend Ric Flair piled on, calling Finebaum “absurd and incompetent” and demanding ESPN fire him. The backlash was so intense that Finebaum admitted on The Matt Barrie Show that he couldn’t keep up with the flood of critical messages, saying, “I finally said, I’ve had enough.”
Finebaum’s Apology and Defense
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, Finebaum addressed the controversy on The Matt Barrie Show and SportsCenter. He didn’t shy away from his misstep, acknowledging that his predictions were “shatteringly wrong” and “ridiculous.” He admitted to getting caught up in the “Manning name,” noting, “We’ve been hearing about Arch Manning since like the 7th grade. It was one of the biggest commitments of all time, the biggest debut of all time, and it transcended sports. That’s what I jumped on.” Even his wife, Linda Hudson, called him out, asking, “How could you be so stupid?”
Despite the apology, Finebaum tempered his backtrack with optimism. He cautioned against labeling Manning a “bust” after one game, pointing to the 12-team playoff format that gives Texas and Manning time to recover. “He was a bust in the first game of the season, but I don’t think he will be long-term,” Finebaum said. “I believe Texas will be in the playoffs in December, and I think Arch Manning will learn from this.” He also praised Ohio State’s defense, crediting Patricia for “bamboozling” Manning with superior schemes.
The Bigger Picture: Pressure and Perspective
Finebaum’s apology highlights the pressure cooker surrounding Manning. The young quarterback faced unrealistic expectations, fueled not just by Finebaum but by a media frenzy that pegged him as a Heisman frontrunner and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian echoed this, saying, “For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside. I’d say let’s finish the book before we judge him. That’s one chapter.” Sarkisian noted “flashes” of Manning’s potential, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he went 4-for-7 for 105 yards and a touchdown.
The controversy also underscores Finebaum’s polarizing role in college football. Known for his SEC bias, he thrives on bold takes, even if they invite criticism. “I don’t mind being wrong,” he said. “I think it’s pretty funny.” Yet his refusal to fully back off—still predicting a playoff run for Texas—shows his knack for staying in the conversation, even when eating crow.
What’s Next for Manning and Finebaum?
For Manning, the focus shifts to Week 2. Texas faces a pivotal stretch before SEC play, and a rebound performance could quiet the doubters. Analysts like Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt defended him, noting that starting on the road against a top-five Ohio State team was a brutal test. “That’s to be expected,” Klatt said. “You generally don’t beat top-five programs on the road if ever.”
For Finebaum, the saga is a reminder of the risks of hype. While he’s taken his lumps, he’s not backing down entirely, predicting Texas will still make noise in the playoff race. Whether Manning can live up to the lofty expectations remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Finebaum’s apology won’t be the last word in this story.
As the season unfolds, will Manning prove the hype was warranted, or will Finebaum’s bold claims continue to haunt him? For now, the college football world is watching—and tweeting—closely.
