Baker Mayfield Calls Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns “Losers” in Fiery Comments That Ignite College Football Rivalries Again

Baker Mayfield Calls Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns “Losers” in Fiery Comments That Ignite College Football Rivalries Again

Baker Mayfield has never been one to hold his tongue, and once again, the former Oklahoma quarterback has stirred controversy by calling out one of college football’s most high-profile names—Arch Manning—and the University of Texas Longhorns. In a recent interview that sent shockwaves through both college and pro football circles, Mayfield referred to Manning and the Texas program as “losers,” reigniting one of the sport’s most heated rivalries.

Mayfield’s remarks, which quickly went viral, came during a podcast appearance when the topic turned to the upcoming college football season and the rise of young quarterback Arch Manning. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, Arch committed to Texas in 2022 amid much fanfare. Now entering his second year in Austin, expectations are sky-high for the former five-star recruit, who has yet to earn the starting job but remains one of the most talked-about names in college football.

Mayfield, who famously planted the Oklahoma flag at midfield in Texas’ Darrell K Royal Stadium in 2017 after beating the Longhorns, wasted no time reminding fans of his feelings about the burnt orange. “Arch seems like a good kid, but let’s be real—he picked Texas. And we all know what that means. They’re losers,” Mayfield said bluntly, triggering an immediate wave of reactions online.

To those familiar with Mayfield’s competitive streak and disdain for Texas, this wasn’t entirely shocking. The former Heisman Trophy winner made a name for himself not only for his on-field performances but also for his brash, no-holds-barred attitude. Throughout his college career, no team drew his ire more than the Texas Longhorns, and it appears that sentiment hasn’t softened even years after his college days.

What added fuel to the fire was Mayfield’s direct mention of Arch Manning, who has been careful with the media, often shying away from controversy. Manning, who redshirted his freshman year and sat behind Quinn Ewers on the depth chart, has largely stayed out of the spotlight compared to other high-profile quarterbacks. Still, his surname alone draws attention, and Mayfield capitalizing on that name to make a broader point about Texas’s struggles over the past decade did not go unnoticed.

Mayfield continued: “I don’t care what his last name is. I don’t care who his uncles are. You can’t teach winning, and Texas hasn’t done anything in years to deserve the hype they get. Every year it’s the same story—Texas is back. But where have they been? Where’s the hardware? Where’s the consistency?”

These comments may sting especially hard for Texas fans, who were beginning to see signs of real progress under head coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns made it to the College Football Playoff in 2024, losing narrowly in the semifinals, and their recruiting efforts have placed them among the top programs in the nation. Manning, for his part, has shown flashes of elite talent in practices and spring games, though the coaching staff has been careful not to rush his development.

Despite Texas’s recent success, Mayfield wasn’t impressed. “One decent season doesn’t erase a decade of mediocrity. I’ve played in that stadium. I’ve heard the noise. I’ve silenced that crowd. It’s not intimidating. It’s all talk.”

Naturally, Texas fans fired back on social media, with many accusing Mayfield of jealousy or seeking relevance through controversy. Some pointed out that Mayfield’s own NFL career has had its ups and downs. After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2018 by the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield had a rollercoaster journey through several franchises before landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he has recently found some footing.

Still, Mayfield’s comments weren’t completely without support. Oklahoma fans, and even some neutral observers, acknowledged that he had a point—Texas has long been considered an underachiever given its resources, history, and recruiting base. And while Arch Manning has all the tools, he remains untested against elite college defenses.

Mayfield’s willingness to single out a young quarterback who has yet to start a collegiate game also sparked debate. Critics argued that attacking Manning personally was uncalled for and could be interpreted as targeting a young athlete who hasn’t even had a chance to prove himself. Others saw it as classic Baker—loud, brash, and unconcerned with ruffling feathers.

ESPN analysts weighed in shortly after the clip aired. Paul Finebaum, never one to miss a chance to stir the pot, said, “This is vintage Mayfield. He knows how to get under people’s skin, and he knows Texas fans will bite every time. But let’s not forget—Texas has actually looked the part recently, and Arch Manning’s story is just beginning. I wouldn’t count them out.”

Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy came to his alma mater’s defense as well, tweeting: “Say what you want, but the future in Austin is bright. And Arch is as composed as they come. We’ll see who’s talking in January.”

There’s also a bigger narrative at play. With Texas and Oklahoma both headed to the SEC, the rivalry is set to escalate even further. Mayfield’s comments can be seen as an early shot in what will soon become an annual bloodbath in the SEC conference wars. The Red River Rivalry, long a staple of Big 12 drama, is about to take on new significance, and adding personalities like Manning and a legacy like Mayfield’s into the mix will only heighten the stakes.

Some insiders close to the Texas program said the coaching staff would likely use Mayfield’s comments as bulletin board material. While Manning himself hasn’t responded publicly—and likely won’t—there’s little doubt he’s heard the noise. If he does earn the starting job this season or next, every mistake and every success will be magnified, especially in light of the renewed focus placed on him by Mayfield’s words.

The broader college football community also began to ask: Is this level of trash talk fair game? Has the sport grown so media-driven that even players who haven’t seen significant field time are now targets of critique from retired or graduated rivals?

Whether fair or not, it’s undeniably effective. Mayfield’s name was trending on social media within hours. Talk shows debated whether he crossed a line. College football podcasts were quick to dedicate entire episodes to dissecting his rant. It was a reminder of how powerful the rivalries in college football still are—and how a few pointed words from a former star can stir up months’ worth of drama.

The question remains: how will Arch Manning respond? Will he take the field with a quiet resolve and prove his doubters wrong? Or will the pressure of such lofty expectations—and now, even sharper scrutiny—slow his progress?

For now, Texas fans are circling the date of their next matchup with Oklahoma. Even though Mayfield won’t be on the field, his words will linger like smoke in the air over the Cotton Bowl. And for Arch Manning, the message is clear: the spotlight is brighter than ever, and critics are already lining up.

One thing’s for sure: Baker Mayfield has once again done what he does best—grabbed attention, taken a swing at an old rival, and turned a simmering college football storyline into a full-blown headline. And as the season inches closer, the echoes of his challenge will follow Arch Manning and the Longhorns every step of the way.