Arch Manning is just ... average? That's how he looks for Texas

What if Arch Manning doesn’t stink? And, what if he’s not some blend of Tim Tebow meets Joe Burrow?

What if he’s just … average? Maybe, a notch above average, especially when he’s not facing Ohio State.

I know, I know, when evaluating Manning, it’s a spicy-takes-only zone.

I’m at risk of a committing party foul, because there’s nothing especially spicy about calling a first-year starting quarterback average.

Based on what we’ve seen of Manning through two starts this season, though, it’s the appropriate evaluation.

If you believed everything you read on social media, then Manning was either awesome or awful against San Jose State.

He was neither. He was sufficient, while starting in front of a home crowd against an overmatched opponent.

No wonder Archie Manning predicted his grandson wouldn’t declare for the NFL draft after this season. Nothing we’ve seen suggests he’s ready for "Monday Night Football." Nothing we’ve seen suggests Steve Sarkisian erred by starting Quinn Ewers the past two seasons, either.

Manning made some nice tosses in Texas’ 38-7 rout of San Jose State. Say this for him: He can throw a wheel route. Any SEC quarterback should be able to carve up an opponent of this caliber, and, after a rocky start, Manning did. He also threw an interception in the red zone when he forced a pass into double coverage, and Texas punted six times while he was in the game.