The Film Guy Break shows we are in trouble with Arch

[Levester White]

And we are in bad shape at the center position (Not news to us). 

The Film Guy Texas OU

[camridleyfan]

 

[Grant Ward]

Our season is being sacrificed on the alter of Manning.  He is the reason our offense sucks.

[HookedOnTF]

Here's a Gemini summary of the video. I could only watch 9 minutes but that was enough for me to wonder why an OC couldn't make 3rd quarter adjustments to routes and or joysticking the QB. Also makes me wonder why - forget making right progression reads - neither QB developer nor uncles can get through on mechanics and throwing it away.

---

Based on this detailed film study of the Texas offense, the blame for the problems is shared across Arch Manning, head coach Steve Sarkisian, and the offensive line (10:54). The video breaks down how each component contributed to the struggles against Oklahoma's defense (2:39).

The issues can be attributed to the following key factors:

1. Arch Manning's Inconsistencies & Conceptual Grasp

The analyst expresses significant frustration with Arch Manning, noting that while he shows elite flashes and throws "dots," his overall performance is a massive roller coaster (0:54).

Lack of Progress & Internal Clock: Manning is heavily criticized for having "garbage" internal clock management (13:53). He frequently refuses to check the ball down when a primary route is covered, opting to stand with dead feet in a collapsing pocket (15:50).

Misreading Concepts: On multiple plays, Manning seems to struggle with full conceptual grasp of the offense (14:01). For example, after moving off a covered route to his right, his eyes and shoulders inexplicably dart back to the left side where no receivers or routes even exist (16:16).

Mechanics and RPO Execution: He misreads RPO pull/give triggers early in the game (4:16), struggles with "arm talent" (touch and finding alternate slot angles) versus pure raw arm strength (21:30), and displays erratic ball placement—such as missing open "YAC" (yards after catch) opportunities (33:21) or airmailing a desperate throw across his body for an easy pick-six (34:20).

2. Steve Sarkisian's Play-Calling Constraints

While the film guy praises Sarkisian for dialing up some beautiful, open concepts that Manning simply missed or couldn't get to, he also points out a degree of "hard-headedness" from the head coach (10:54).

Failing to Build in "Hots": Oklahoma consistently brought "seven-up" pre-snap pressure configurations (26:47). Despite knowing Oklahoma's tendency to create free hitters, Sarkisian's scheme failed to build in immediate "hot" routes or adjustments to give Manning a quick place to go with the football, forcing a throwaway or an interception (27:59).

Relying on Uncomfortable Concepts: Sarkisian is criticized for repeatedly calling concepts—like fake swing-back tunnel screens—that Manning has historically struggled to execute, rather than tailoring the package strictly to what his young quarterback is comfortable with (21:09).

3. The Offensive Line's Slow Eyes and Feet

The offensive line is certainly a major part of the problem, though the analyst clarifies they are often blamed for sacks that were actually caused by Manning drifting into pressure (17:45). However, their technical performance was poor:

The Center Position: The center is singled out for having both "slow eyes" and "slow feet" (9:51). When defensive lines executed basic stunts or nose tackles shifted away, the center failed to snap his eyes back to locate the looping defender, setting his feet terribly and completely falling out of pass protection (10:15).

Losing the Physical Battle: On short-yardage downs, the line simply lacked the edge. The analyst points out specific blockers getting completely "tossed like a ragdoll," summarizing that Oklahoma simply "brought the fight" and physically out-leveraged the unit (7:58).

Ultimately, the video concludes that Texas lost because it was an entirely "up and down" offensive display where a struggling line, an uncompromising game plan, and a young quarterback with zero pocket presence compound each other's mistakes (9:51).

 

Edited 1 hour ago by HookedOnTF

[HookedOnTF]

P.s. Analogy from Gemini:

Whether a potter fixes a flaw depends entirely on when the flaw is discovered and how severe it is. Because clay goes through different structural stages, the rule of thumb is: the wetter the clay, the easier it is to fix; the drier the clay, the more likely you are to scrap it and start over.

[HookedOnTF]

P.s.s. I'm rooting for Arch and Sark. I hope Sark wins multiple championships in the next decade and hope Arch builds on his Texas degree to succeed in whatever he wants to do in life. Both are worthy of Lifetime Longhorn Legend status just based on success to date.  But the football business decision is simply win or fix it fast.

[Texas fan in Georgia]

Give Sam Pittman however many cases he wants to come coach the Oline

[Grant Ward]

Manning looks lazy.  Relying on arm talent and not learning the game 

[Levester White]

The bad thing about this film it shows hot reads for Arch to hit, he's just not getting it done. Man, Arch is not good. Dang. 

[Levester White]

3 minutes ago, Texas fan in Georgia said:

Give Sam Pittman however many cases he wants to come coach the Oline

Man, so true. Also, why is the center still starting? He has regressed mightily. 

[JurassicSark]

Arch was the Red River MVP, for Oklahoma. Maybe he felt bad for his former roommate Parker and wanted to give his team some points.

[HookemTexas]

#2 is the biggest annoyance for me; in college, elite coaches adjust their schemes to the players that they have.  Sark wants to force round blocks into square holes.  Secondly, Sark keeps explosive play hunting excessively, well that only works when your oline gives the QB enough protection to wait for those explosive plays to develop.

Hot routes are necessary, especially when the defense shows it's willing to completely sell out and blitz.

[Assistant Regional Manager]

1 minute ago, HookemTexas said:

#2 is the biggest annoyance for me; in college, elite coaches adjust their schemes to the players that they have.  Sark wants to force round blocks into square holes.  Secondly, Sark keeps explosive play hunting excessively, well that only works when your oline gives the QB enough protection to wait for those explosive plays to develop.

Hot routes are necessary, especially when the defense shows it's willing to completely sell out and blitz.

If you actually watched the video, you would see Brooks walk through multiple examples of Arch turning down check downs and hot routes for no reason. On the final interception, he had Winston sitting down on a 5 yard hitch. 

You would also see Brooks walk through examples of Arch poorly navigating a clean pocket and creating self imposed pressure.

Brooks didn’t seem to have many issues with the playcalling. 

[HookemTexas]

9 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said:

If you actually watched the video, you would see Brooks walk through multiple examples of Arch turning down check downs and hot routes for no reason. On the final interception, he had Winston sitting down on a 5 yard hitch. 

You would also see Brooks walk through examples of Arch poorly navigating a clean pocket and creating self imposed pressure.

Brooks didn’t seem to have many issues with the playcalling. 

I have not watched the video yet as I'm posting while at work so I'll concede that point; Arch isn't without issue.  This is based on the Gemini summary which the poster mentions.

[Roy Hinojosa]

Just my observation, but you can tell for whatever reason Arch cannot pull the trigger. He's scared of making a mistake, and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's all mental right now, and he's going through some chaos in his brain. I don't know what the answer is other than playing through it, which means it might get worse before it gets better. Hopefully, the worst was this past week.

[Nate C]

I love Brooks, tells it how it is. Arch is too good to bench but lacks consistency to win when we need him to be consistent. His pocket presence has me questioning if they even coach it or if he gets under the lights and forgets it all. biggest thing that kills me in the offensive line play. You just can’t fall down and be late on stunts. If you get beat, fine, but don’t get whooped with bad technique. 3rd and 1 and our lineman take backwards steps and get whooped. just bad

[Nate C]

22 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said:

If you actually watched the video, you would see Brooks walk through multiple examples of Arch turning down check downs and hot routes for no reason. On the final interception, he had Winston sitting down on a 5 yard hitch. 

You would also see Brooks walk through examples of Arch poorly navigating a clean pocket and creating self imposed pressure.

Brooks didn’t seem to have many issues with the playcalling. 

Was gonna say Brooks just has more an issue with our offensive line being slow and soft rather than the playcalls. I feel the same as most of us do.

[Assistant Regional Manager]

2 minutes ago, Nate C said:

Was gonna say Brooks just has more an issue with our offensive line being slow and soft rather than the playcalls. I feel the same as most of us do.

The protection Arch is getting is miles better than last year, and for some reason, that has made his pocket presence worse.

Doesn't add up. 

[Grant Ward]

11 minutes ago, Roy Hinojosa said:

Just my observation, but you can tell for whatever reason Arch cannot pull the trigger. He's scared of making a mistake, and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's all mental right now, and he's going through some chaos in his brain. I don't know what the answer is other than playing through it, which means it might get worse before it gets better. Hopefully, the worst was this past week.

The answer was playing 6A football in Texas.  He didn't have the competition he needed in High School.  He's paying for it now.

[Nate C]

6 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said:

The protection Arch is getting is miles better than last year, and for some reason, that has made his pocket presence worse.

Doesn't add up. 

it is better but still not great. Arch seems to get rattled from any form of pressure. Needs to take sack lessons from Brady and Joe Burrow

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 minute ago, Grant Ward said:

The answer was playing 6A football in Texas.  He didn't have the competition he needed in High School.  He's paying for it now.

Yeah, I disagree with this. 

There have been plenty of great QB's (some with Gold Jackets) that didn't play a high level of HS competition. In the Arch argument in that ... Peyton and Eli played at Isidore Newman as well. They played small classification at the same school. So the dog doesn't hunt, and especially with Arch. 

[Assistant Regional Manager]

1 minute ago, Nate C said:

it is better but still not great. Arch seems to get rattled from any form of pressure. Needs to take sack lessons from Brady and Joe Burrow

Arch has some of the highest times-to-throw in the country.

I'd be interested to know how many times he has self-sacked this year, because it feels like it has been at least 6 or 7 times. 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

So many overly emotional bad takes in this thread 😂🤣

[Levester White]

6 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

So many overly emotional bad takes in this thread 😂🤣

Maybe, but what is the correct take? 
the problem I’m seeing is everyone sees we have major issues BUT Sark. When your head coach and OC doesn’t know how to fix it, you are in trouble, and yes… the sky is falling. 

Sark is not okay right now. He was a little snarky at reasonable pushback. 

[Grant Ward]

17 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Yeah, I disagree with this. 

There have been plenty of great QB's (some with Gold Jackets) that didn't play a high level of HS competition. In the Arch argument in that ... Peyton and Eli played at Isidore Newman as well. They played small classification at the same school. So the dog doesn't hunt, and especially with Arch. 

The % of D1 qbs who come from larger more competitive schools dwarfs the # from the private school ranks. I'm not saying it's impossible but Arch is more like Preston Stone than Quinn Ewers.