David Pollack didn’t waste any time separating the SEC quarterbacks he trusts from the one he doesn’t.
The longtime college football analyst, who starred at Georgia and was twice named SEC Player of the Year, has spent nearly two decades breaking down the league. So when he sizes up passers in the conference, he’s speaking from plenty of experience. And this week, Pollack made it clear he’d rather bet on Georgia’s Gunner Stockton than on Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
On Stockton, Pollack was direct about why he’d back him.
"This year, with that squad-- he had a bad game there's no doubt... but I trust him to take care of the football. That [performance against Auburn] was more of an anomaly to me than anything."
That Auburn game was the rough spot in Stockton’s season. He had thrown only two interceptions in his first 124 passing attempts, then matched that total against Auburn and also lost a costly late fumble that opened the door for the Tigers’ winning drive.
Even with that setback, Stockton still sits atop the SEC in quarterback rating. He’s completing more than 74% of his passes, his 9.9 yards per attempt leads the conference, and his 16 passing touchdowns trail only Kamario Taylor’s 17.
The numbers back up the broader case too. Stockton threw for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions in 2025, and even after Georgia’s loss last week, the Bulldogs are likely headed back to the College Football Playoff with Stockton leading the way.
Pollack’s view of Manning landed at the other end of the scale.
"There's no world, there's no situation, there's nothing period that you can sell me... that I would buy Arch Manning," said Pollack, "I'm assuming the value is as low as it's going to get. Just remember, we were talking about Heisman Trophy for Arch Manning, so the fact that we're sitting here and now we're discussing whether he should be benched, I'm not sure it can go any lower."
Manning, now in his second full season as a starter, hasn’t lived up to expectations at Texas. He ranks ninth among 15 qualifying SEC quarterbacks in QB rating, is 12th in the league with 1,295 passing yards, and stands ninth with 11 touchdown passes.
The problems haven’t been limited to the stat sheet. Manning has not been at his best in the biggest moments, and his only 300-yard passing game this season came in the opener against Texas State. His 7.8 yards per pass attempt is modest, and over his last three games he has thrown three interceptions against four touchdowns.
In Other News...
Georgia May Be Missing A Crucial Defender Against Florida
Georgias defense could be waiting on a familiar name this week, as safety KJ Bolden works his way back from the injury he picked up against Alabama. Kirby Smart said Bolden is hopeful to return, but the final call will depend on whether he gets through the doctors protocol in time for the Florida game.
Bolden already missed the Auburn game, and his absence was part of the conversation around why the defense struggled. With Florida next on the schedule, Georgia would like to have one of its more important defensive pieces back in the secondary, but for now the situation remains uncertain. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Should Remember One Thing If Arch Manning Comes Up Again
Arch Mannings name still carries plenty of weight in recruiting circles, and it is easy to understand why Georgia fans would remember how close the Bulldogs once were to landing the highly touted quarterback before he chose Texas. But the reality in Austin has been more complicated than the buzz around his signing day, with Manning struggling to fully live up to the expectations that followed him into college. After recent losses, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has had to evaluate the position, even as Manning remains the starter.
If his situation at Texas keeps drifting in that direction, there will be plenty of chatter about whether he could eventually look elsewhere after the 2026 season. Georgia, though, would be wise to resist getting caught up in the same old name-value appeal and remember that roster-building works better when it is grounded in fit and production, not just recruiting drama. The Bulldogs have other paths to explore, and this one already comes with enough baggage to make caution the smarter play. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Suddenly Has A Real Fight To Keep Jayden Wade
Georgias hold on its 2028 quarterback commitment is being tested in a way that felt far off only a short time ago. Five-star signal caller Jayden Wade is reportedly set to visit Michigan this weekend, giving another program a chance to make its case to one of the most important recruits in the cycle.
The trip is notable because quarterback development has been a question for Michigan, and the programs current situation at the position is part of what Georgia will have to navigate in keeping Wade on board. NIL could also become a factor in the recruitment if the Wolverines choose to make a major push, leaving this one as a real battle worth watching for the Bulldogs. [Read more 🡒]