Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Oregon State QB Braden Atkinson rises as Arch Manning drops in rankings
Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson climbed to second in the rankings after a strong run of games.
The former FCS transfer leads the nation with 21 touchdown passes and averages 373.7 passing yards per game.
Oregon State has won four straight after opening with losses to Houston and Texas Tech, and Atkinson threw for 836 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past two weeks.
Miami's Darian Mensah remains first, while Texas quarterback Arch Manning dropped after two late interceptions in a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma.
Manning has thrown 10 touchdowns and five interceptions through five games, and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said expectations are high but the team must get back to work.
Texas hosts Florida on October 17, giving Manning a chance to respond to the criticism and his recent setback.
Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson rose from 12th to second in CBS Sports’ quarterback power rankings.
Atkinson leads the nation with 21 touchdown passes and averages 373.7 passing yards per game.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning fell in the rankings after throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions in a loss to Oklahoma.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian defended Manning, while commentators Paul Finebaum and Joel Klatt criticized his performance.
- Who
- Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson and Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
- What
- Atkinson rose to second in CBS Sports’ rankings, while Manning dropped after a costly loss to Oklahoma.
- When
- The rankings were published October 14, 2026; Texas lost to Oklahoma on October 10.
- Where
- Atkinson plays for Oregon State, and Manning plays for Texas. The Texas-Oklahoma game location is not stated.
- Why
- Atkinson has led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns and helped Oregon State win four straight. Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter of Texas’ loss to Oklahoma.
Steve Sarkisian
Paul Finebaum and Joel Klatt
Expectations and performance
Steve Sarkisian
Sarkisian said Manning faces high expectations but has beaten four top-10 teams in his last 13 starts.
Paul Finebaum and Joel Klatt
Finebaum said Manning was not the elite player people had made him out to be; Klatt cited concerns about his processing and decision-making.
Atkinson played for Mercer at the FCS level.
Texas lost 27-24 to Oklahoma, with Manning throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter.
Sarkisian defended Manning, and Manning said he had to respond to the loss.
CBS Sports ranked Atkinson second, up from 12th, in its quarterback power rankings.
- Atkinson’s ranking
- Second, up from 12th
- Atkinson’s touchdown passes
- 21, leading the nation
- Atkinson’s passing yards
- 373.7 per game, leading the nation
- Oregon State’s recent record
- Four straight victories
- Texas-Oklahoma score
- Oklahoma won 27-24
- Manning’s interceptions
- Two in the fourth quarter of the loss
2 sources
What people are saying
The expectations are high for him, and he understands that
He is not the elite player that we all tried to make him out to be.
He doesn’t process information all that quickly
It’s not fun when it’s happening but there’s only one way to respond
Posts on X
Arch Manning's high ceiling and low floor are problematic for Texas. @joelklatt
See ya ✌️ @Braden_Atkinson ➡️ @jlegree24 for a 71 yard TD to open the half 🔥 📺 @USANetwork