Jordan Rodgers: Finebaum says Texas is title or bust
On ESPN's Get Up, Paul Finebaum said the 2026 Texas Longhorns are title or bust, citing Arch Manning and a loaded roster. Co-panelist Jordan Rodgers agreed on the ceiling but warned Manning's short-game accuracy and footwork must improve for Texas to reach a national championship. The buzz clip is the kind of college football TV moment we track on our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Finebaum told Get Up that Texas must reach the title game after last season's letdown.
- Jordan Rodgers said Arch Manning's short-throw accuracy and footwork are the make-or-break fixes.
- Phil Steele ranked Texas' 2026 regular-season schedule the toughest in the country.
- Kirk Herbstreit warned sky-high expectations can sink even the most talented SEC teams.
What did Finebaum say about Texas on Get Up?
Asked whether it is title or bust in Austin, Finebaum answered yes. He argued you do not get to this point with one of the most celebrated players in modern college football history and then "lay an egg like Texas did last year."
Finebaum credited Manning and portal additions, calling Texas one of the best rosters in college football and the best in the SEC. In his view, the Longhorns have to get to the title game. Watch the segment on ESPN.
What did Jordan Rodgers say Arch Manning must fix?
Jordan Rodgers agreed Texas has championship talent, then explained why the Longhorns have not gotten there. He said Manning was one of the most inaccurate quarterbacks in the country on the short game.
Rodgers said Manning ranked last in the SEC from 0 to 10 yards and 122nd nationally in completion percentage at 56 percent. He called him the most inaccurate passer from 0 to 25 yards as well, tying the misses to footwork, mechanics, and a sidearm lean.
Rodgers did note improvement as 2025 went on. His condition for a title run: if Manning is more efficient and consistent, the explosiveness will be there and Texas will get to a national championship.
Why is Texas' 2026 schedule such a pressure cooker?
Phil Steele ranked Texas' regular-season slate the toughest in the nation. That gauntlet includes six preseason ESPN Top 25 teams among 10 power contests: No. 1 Ohio State, at No. 25 Tennessee, No. 13 Oklahoma in Dallas, No. 9 Ole Miss, at No. 11 LSU, and at No. 10 Texas A&M.
The workload hits a team that went 10-3 last season and missed the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years under Steve Sarkisian. Kirk Herbstreit said Texas may be Sarkisian's best team yet, but asked whether the Longhorns can handle the pressure week after week after other hyped 2025 contenders stumbled.