Paul Finebaum Declares Arch Manning Season Over Amid Struggles

Paul Finebaum, once a fervent supporter of Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Clemson's Cade Klubnik, has dramatically reversed his stance on both players and their teams' prospects in the 2025 college football season. Finebaum initially praised Manning as a generational talent comparable to Tim Tebow and predicted a Heisman Trophy and national championship for him, but after Manning's poor performances in the first three weeks—including multiple incompletions, an interception, and visible struggles under pressure—Finebaum declared he was 'out' on Manning for this season. Similarly, Finebaum had high expectations for Clemson, calling them a legitimate national title contender with the best quarterback in Klubnik and an elite defense; however, following a disappointing 1-2 start and a significant loss ending a nine-game winning streak against Georgia Tech, Finebaum asserted that Clemson's season is over and questioned Klubnik's performance. Both reversals highlight Finebaum's growing skepticism about whether these highly touted teams and players can live up to preseason hype amid stronger competition and internal challenges. Despite the setbacks, Finebaum still acknowledges the potential for future success, particularly with Manning, but insists that 2025 will not be their breakthrough year. The shifts in Finebaum's views underscore the volatility and unpredictability in college football, especially for teams and players under intense scrutiny and high expectations.