Paul Finebaum Has Changed His Tune About Arch Manning, Stephen A. Smith Pushes Back

During ESPN's 'Get Up' on Tuesday morning, Paul Finebaum said he has changed his opinion on Texas quaterback Arch Manning, who he once had as Heisman contender this season. Per The Spun:

quote:

---

“I have been leading the parade on Arch Manning. We all know that,” Finebaum said. “I’m backing up a little bit. I am not that impressed.”

“The bottom line is Arch Manning is not playing like an elite quarterback,” Finebaum said. “He’s barely playing like a pedestrian quarterback. He had some good plays in that game (against San José State), but that game doesn’t mean anything.”

“Ultimately, I think we all jumped the gun,” Finebaum said. “Is he in the Heisman race? No. Arch Manning is not in the Heisman race as of today.”

---

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith heard what Finebaum had to say and pushed against the idea that others were propping Manning up:

quote:

---

“Mr. Paul Finebaum, my brother, speak for yourself,” Smith retorted. “I didn’t jump the gun. There’s a whole lot of people that didn’t jump the gun. You did, having him penciled in as a Heisman finalist before he played a game this season. That wasn’t us.”

---