Outta Pocket with RG3: “Arch Manning is the Most Hate Watched Player in College Football”

Host: Robert Griffin III
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo episode (with dog “Benny Boy” as sidekick), RG3 covers a wide range of timely sports topics, centering on the extraordinary scrutiny facing Arch Manning after his rocky season debut, the “hate watch” phenomenon in college football, and the broader implications of NIL and the transfer portal on players’ careers. The episode also explores viral sports moments, significant college football performances, rising teams and coaches, and ends with heartfelt personal and family reflections.

Main Discussion: Arch Manning, Hate Watching, and Media Frenzy

Arch Manning’s Season Debut Analyzed

• [04:10] Arch Manning’s opening game at Texas against #3 Ohio State is dissected:
  • Manning “struggled”: missed reads, questionable mechanics, passes diving toward ankles.
  • RG3 emphasizes: “He’s allowed to struggle. For instance, Colt McCoy, one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time, struggled in his first Power Four matchup against Ohio State… So if Colt McCoy struggled... why can't Arch Manning?”
• [05:45] He compares Arch’s rough start to Peyton Manning’s underwhelming debut:
  • “Peyton was 7 of 14 for 79 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. Last time I checked, both of those guys ended up becoming all time greats.”
• [06:40] RG3 makes it clear: “Nobody will cap for Arch Manning and say he actually played great. He didn’t. But how he responds will determine the trajectory of the Texas Longhorn season and also his career as a quarterback.”

The Hate Watch Dynamic

• [07:15] RG3 introduces the concept of “hate watching” Arch Manning as a phenomenon:
  • “People are actually using Arch Manning's struggles to take shots at the Mannings… Arch Manning has become a hate watch like I’ve never seen before.”
  • Comparison to how audiences watched Floyd Mayweather Jr.: “They wanted to see him fail… to see him lose. And it just never happened.”
• [09:20] The familial and media pressure:
  • “The Mannings are considered the first family of football, they're rarely criticized... but some of those people have been waiting just waiting for an opportunity to attack that name.”

Media Backlash and Defending Arch

• [11:08] RG3 on societal overreaction:
  • “He missed a few throws and came up short in the game, so now all of a sudden, he can't play football and he won’t ever be good at football. That’s not right.”
• RG3 addresses memes and harsh criticism (“I even saw a meme that had Peyton and Eli… and it said he’s adopted, essentially saying, this guy can’t be a Manning. Well, I think that’s a little too far.”)
• [13:12] On advice to Arch Manning:
  • “Don’t overreact to one bad game. You’re here for a reason... It’s up to you to show everybody that that reason isn’t just because of the name on the back of your jersey… Remember everyone who came at you… and make sure when you are successful, you force them to go on those same TV networks… and have to sing your praises.”
  • “I believe in you, Arch Manning. Texas Longhorns believe in you. Go prove us right.”

Viral Spiral: Noteworthy Sports Moments

1. Taylor Townsend vs. Jelena Ostapenko – US Open Controversy

• [15:10] Recap of the viral tennis confrontation:
  • Townsend beats Ostapenko, post-match verbal spat, Ostapenko reportedly says Townsend “has no class and no education.”
  • RG3 contextualizes the history of racial stereotyping in America: “It becomes something of racial stereotyping towards black women.”
  • Ostapenko’s apology noted, but RG3’s view is unequivocal: “Take the L and move on. If you don’t want to see them… celebrate, win. If you don’t win, you don’t get to complain.”

2. Dallas Cowboys Pay Daron Bland after Trading Micah Parsons

• [20:25] RG3 on Cowboys roster moves:
  • Praises Bland (“led the NFL in interceptions and pick sixes”), but argues paying Bland won’t offset losing a “generational talent” like Micah Parsons to the Packers:
  • “If you trade away Micah Parsons, you got to get at least three to four first round picks…”
  • “Paying Daron Bland isn’t going to make us forget you made the Green Bay Packers better while making your football team worse. Let that sink in. I’m happy for Daron Bland, but I’m extremely sad for Cowboys fans.”

3. Tom Brady Gets Broadcasting Restrictions Lifted

• [23:53] NFL now allows Brady in production meetings (after initial ban due to his Raiders ownership stake).
  • RG3 explains the implications:
    • “The information you get from players and coaches in those production meetings is about 70-80% of what you use on the air.”
    • “Him now being allowed… is only going to make him exponentially better. I’m excited for Tom Brady… and Fox Sports because Tom Brady’s the greatest football player of all time and he is on a quest to become the greatest in the booth.”

Deep Route: Player Moves & Transfer Portal Drama

NICO IAMALEAVA’s Decision to Leave Tennessee

• [28:18] RG3 breaks down QB Nico Iamaleava’s high-profile transfer:
  • Nico leaves Tennessee for UCLA amid speculation of an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money dispute, but RG3 suggests “the grass isn’t always greener.”
  • Nico’s UCLA debut: “11 for 22, 136 yards, one touchdown, one pick… wasn’t great.”
  • Tennessee, with Joey Aguilar, wins big—raising new questions.

Key Insight:

• [32:02] “Sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Sometimes as an athlete, you have to make yourself uncomfortable so that you can get to greatness.”
• RG3 relays an anecdote about agents inflating NIL figures to lure athletes into the portal, only to see them end up “at a university that was a step below… with less opportunity.”
• [35:21] “Greatness is not easy. Greatness is not given. Greatness is earned… Nico is a cautionary tale.”
• [36:08] Advice to Nico: “Go win, Nico. That’s the only way you’re going to rewrite the narrative.”

Feel-Good Story of the Week: Florida State Upsets #8 Alabama

Celebrating Resilience and Coaching Grit

• [37:00] Florida State knocks off Alabama—joy for FSU and coach Mike Norvell.
• [38:00] Features a clip from Mike Norvell:
  • “Come here, go somewhere else. We’re going to win and you’re going to watch us win.” (Coach Mike Norvell, 38:20)
• Praise for Norvell’s conviction during dark times (“midst of a 2 and 10 season”), and vindication with a big win.
• [41:41] The impact of new QB Thomas Castellonis and former UCF coach Gus Malzahn.
• [42:14] On Alabama’s decline post-Saban (now with coach Kalen DeBoer):
  • “Nick Saban coached 230 games at Alabama, lost four to unranked teams… Kalen DeBoer has coached 14 games and already lost four.”
  • “Nobody fears Alabama anymore.” (Citing Johnny Manziel, 43:46)
  • RG3: “The fear for Alabama is gone… Alabama post Saban is on the verge of becoming the New England Patriots, post Belichick and Brady.”

Hometown Highlights: Back in the Booth & Family Moments

• [48:40] RG3 reflects joyfully on returning to broadcasting, calling the Baylor-Auburn game.
• Gives appreciation to the crew and expresses excitement for upcoming Colorado-Delaware broadcast.
• [51:14] Shares personal highlight: daughter Gamaya’s 6th birthday.
  • “Being a dad changes you in ways that are very hard to explain. But as your girls get older, you start to have those thoughts of, who are they going to marry? And it breaks you down a little bit.”
  • Encourages dads to cherish every moment with their children.

Top 8 Heisman Trophy Front Runners (Week 1)

• [53:40] RG3’s Heisman picks:
  1. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) – “Helped LSU upset Clemson, 28 of 38, 230 yards.”
  2. Thomas Castellonis (Florida State) – “Nine of 14, 152 yards, 78 yards rushing.”
  3. Carson Beck (Miami)
  4. Jackson Arnold (Auburn)
  5. Gunner Stockton (Georgia)
  6. Taylor Green (Arkansas)
  7. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)
  8. Maverick McIver (Western Kentucky) – “Eight TD passes in two weeks… you deserve to be in the Heisman conversation.”

RG3’s Top 12 College Football Teams (Week 1)

• [55:12]
  1. Ohio State – “Knocked off the number one team in the country in Texas.”
  2. LSU – “Beat number four Clemson.”
  3. Miami
  4. Penn State
  5. Georgia
  6. Oregon
  7. Texas
  8. Clemson
  9. Florida State – “Should be a top 10 ranked team.”
  10. Notre Dame
  11. Arizona State
  12. Illinois

Top 5 College Coaches of the Week

• [58:02]
  1. Mike Norvell (Florida State) – “No one gave them a chance… and they did it.”
  2. Matt Patricia (Ohio State, DC) – “Dialing up defenses like he was stealing candy from a baby.”
  3. Blake Baker (LSU, DC)
  4. Derek Nix (Auburn, OC)
  5. Justin Wilcox (Cal) – For using transfer QB Jaron Kiawe Sagapolutelle after his last-minute switch from Oregon.

Teams on the Rise

• [01:01:40]
  1. Florida State
  2. Iowa State – “Rocco Becht, QB, reminds me so much of Brock Purdy it’s crazy.”
  3. South Florida
  4. Texas Tech – “Most expensive roster in college football… dropped 7,000 points this week.”
  5. Tennessee

Couples Goals & Outro

• [01:03:34] Greta is out sick; RG3’s “couples goal” is taking care of his wife.
  • “If you guys leave some prayer hands in the comments, I’m gonna go be a husband, be a great partner and take care of my wife in the best way possible.”

Noteworthy Quotes

• On Arch Manning and hate-watching:
  • “People built him up just for this very reason: to tear him down.” (03:45)
  • “I believe in you, Arch Manning. Texas Longhorns believe in you… Go prove us right.” (13:45)
• On athlete transfers & NIL traps:
  • “Nico is a cautionary tale that it’s not always… the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” (35:21)
• On sportsmanship:
  • “If you don’t want to see them doing whatever they’re doing [celebrating], don’t watch. If you want them to not celebrate, win.” (18:20)
• On college football’s shifting prestige:
  • “Alabama post Saban is on the verge of becoming the New England Patriots, post Belichick and Brady.” (45:18)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• Opening/Theme Introduction (00:00–03:00)
• Arch Manning’s Struggles & Hate Watch Culture (03:10–14:00)
• Viral Spiral (15:10–27:00)
• Deep Route (28:18–36:15)
• Feel-Good Story (FSU over Alabama) & Alabama Analysis (37:00–48:00)
• Hometown Highlights & Personal Reflections (48:40–53:20)
• Top Heisman Candidates & Power Rankings (53:40–57:00)
• Top Coaches & Teams on the Rise (58:02–01:03:00)
• Couples Goal—Family Sign-Off (01:03:34–end)

Final Thoughts

In trademark outta pocket style, RG3 delivers candid, insightful commentary on college football’s evolving landscape—highlighting issues of media scrutiny, athlete empowerment (and exploitation), the fragility of sports reputations, and the joy of resilience. Listeners leave with a sense of both the wild unpredictability and the enduring hope that keeps sports—and family—at the center of American culture.