Arch Manning Starting Game Props Odds and Predictions

by Mike Allen - 8/26/2023

The Manning name has become one of royalty in both the worlds of college and professional football.

It all started with the godfather, Elisha Archibald Manning III. Archie was born in 1949 in Drew, Mississippi. He later played quarterback at Ole Miss.

Following a successful college career, Archie played 14 seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He had average statistics on an abysmal team. It was a different league back then, with defenses having an advantage in the ruleset.

Archie, as you know, has two incredibly famous and successful Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks as sons. What you may not be aware of, though, is Peyton and Eli Manning have a brother.

Cooper appeared to be on his way to success playing quarterback at the highest level but was diagnosed with spinal stenosis while still in high school. Fast forward a couple of decades, and Cooper has a son, Arch Manning, who was the No. 1 recruit in the nation.

Arch is an incoming true freshman at the University of Texas this season. The kid just turned 18 less than four months ago!

As you guys can see, we will attempt to predict what stretch of the regular season, if any, Arch Manning will get his first start. Maybe the kid never gets a start. However, let's be honest… he has a fair shot to do it this year.

Doc’s Sports offers college football expert picks for every game on our college football predictions page.

No Starts: -140

Games 1-3: +220

Games 4-6: +450

Games 7-10: +550

Games 11-12: +500

He is on a team projected to win the Big 12 with betting odds of (-110). We may see the Texas Longhorns fail against the Sooners in the regular season and rematch them in the Big 12 Championship Game.

More on that in a few. They may try winning with a different quarterback the second time around.

I listened to an interview with Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian, and he said we have to remember two things about Arch Manning. He is a true freshman and a work in progress.

Looking at pictures of the kid, he is absolutely shredded, though, and his work ethic is said to mirror his Uncle Peyton.

He isn’t going to take the first snap of the season for the Longhorns. So, if he does, when will it be?

They won't send him out there to possibly disintegrate against the Alabama Crimson Tide in their second game. Game 3 is against a weak team, the Wyoming Cowboys. Will starting quarterback Quinn Ewers even have enough time to lose his job by the third or fourth game of the year?

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he wants to give Quinn Ewers a chance. He also doesn't want to hold Arch Manning back. The play-caller is doing a good job not showing his cards.

This team lost their star running back, Bijan Robinson, to the NFL Draft, and they failed to win double-digit games last season. I am not as high on the Texas Longhorns as some.

If you think they will win 10 or 11 games this season, maybe you look to bet on Manning not getting a start. It isn't plus money, but that's the narrative.

I like Arch Manning to get his first start in games 7-10. Game 7 against the Houston Cougars is what I'm eyeing. It will follow a potentially rough game for Ewers opposite the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Houston game is coming off of a bye week as well. I love that. This team starts the season 5-2 with a loss to OU. Then, they take advantage of the week off to help their No. 1 recruit, Manning, prepare for his first college football start.

Pick: Arch Manning First Start in Games 7-10

In Conclusion

Manning could sit on the bench for the entire year if his team is winning ball games. I am not impressed, though, with the Texas Longhorns or their current starting quarterback.

Everyone thinks running backs are a dime a dozen. And while that might be true, that still leaves the top 17%. First-round draft pick Bijan Robinson will be missed, a lot.

The Longhorns will struggle, but they are playing in a weak conference, which will keep them in postseason contention. That is the bridge we need to take us to the final four games of the regular season, where Arch will take his first snap.

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Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 8:00 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
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