Thoughts of the Day: For now at least there is no quarterback controversy

DJ Lagway (2) will factor heavily in Florida's plans moving forward (Photo by Chris Spears)

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning:

If there is going to be a quarterback controversy for the Florida Gators it will have to come somewhere down the road. For now and perhaps in the future there is none. Billy Napier has a senior quarterback who he trusts implicitly in Graham Mertz and a freshman phenom who might very well prove to be the best he’s ever coached in DJ Lagway. Napier has a plan to use both of them but he's not giving any hints how he will make it work out.

Mertz had a fine season a year ago, came back for one more year and endured his worst game as a Gator in the season opener against Miami before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion. Lagway had a few impressive snaps in relief of Mertz against Miami, got the start against Samford last Saturday and lit up the overmatched visitors from Birmingham.

After watching Lagway make the kind of throws normally reserved for quarterbacks in the No Fun League fans think he should get the start Saturday when the Gators (1-1) play host to Texas A&M (1-1) in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams (3:30 p.m., ABC). Unless Mertz doesn’t pass the final test of his concussion protocol this week, he’s almost certain to be the starter against the Aggies, but Lagway is going to play.

Just how much is to be determined. Napier may have a pre-determined number of plays or series he intends to give Lagway or it may be completely dictated by circumstances in the game. Either way, the plan is for Lagway to be in the game with a chance to be a difference-maker.

“I don’t want to put the playbook on the streets here but ultimately the guy is one of our better players,” Napier said. “We’re going to give him an opportunity to impact the game and contribute to the team.”

It is difficult to imagine the Aggies throwing something at Mertz that he hasn’t seen before. After 44 collegiate starts, Mertz is unlikely to get rattled or confused. He knows how to check into the right plays and move the ball down the field. When Lagway comes into the game, it will require a complete adjustment by the A&M defense because not only can Lagway make throws that most quarterbacks college or pro only dream of, but he has serious running skills.

If the two of them can complement each other, Florida’s chances of winning (Gators are 4-point underdogs) are improved, and winning has everything to do with why Napier plans to use both his QBs.  

“We're going to do what's in the best interest of the team,” Napier said. “I think both these players can make our team better. I think that's what we intended to do. The great thing is there is a great relationship there, confidence, humility from both guys, and a healthy respect from the team and staff for both players.”

If everybody is on the same page and egos are parked at the door, there will be no quarterback controversy. Right now, the only thing on the mind of the head coach, both quarterbacks and the rest of the team is starting out the SEC portion of the schedule 1-0.

SEC FOOTBALL

No. 4 Alabama (2-0): Against South Florida, the Alabama offensive line was flagged for four holding penalties, two false starts and an illegal block in the back. O-line penalties cost Alabama two touchdowns and 70 yards total … Tackle Tim Keenan III was selected SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against South Florida. Saturday’s game: The Crimson Tide are a 16-point favorite at Wisconsin.

Arkansas (1-1): Corner Marquise Robinson and safety Hudson Clark are both listed as questionable for this week’s game. Robinson is dealing with a stinger while Clark has a sore back. Saturday’s game: The Razorbacks are 24.5-point favorites to beat UAB in Fayetteville.

Auburn (1-1): At his Monday press conference, HBC Hugh Freeze said the Tigers “aren’t talented enough yet to play badly and win – and I know everybody doesn’t want to hear that.” … Both wide receiver Cam Coleman and right tackle Izavian Miller are questionable for Saturday’s game with New Mexico. Saturday’s game: The Tigers are 28-point favorites at home against New Mexico.

No. 1 Georgia (2-0): Tight end Oscar Delp’s sprained ankle is not considered serious. D-lineman Mykel Williams could miss the game with Kentucky Saturday. “He’s got to be able to practice,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. Also likely out for Kentucky are running back Roderick Robinson, defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod and defensive lineman Jordan Hall. Saturday’s game: The Bulldogs are 24-point road favorites over Kentucky in Lexington.

Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC): The Wildcats committed 11 penalties for 63 yards in their loss to South Carolina. Monday, HBC Mark Stoops said, “You can’t have penalty after penalty after penalty. That part of it, the execution and the undisciplined play was embarrassing. The penalties and things of that nature, you just can’t do it.” Saturday’s game: The Wildcats are 24-point underdogs against Georgia in Lexington.

No. 16 LSU (1-1): Senior defensive tackle Jacobian Gillory will miss the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles injury in the win over Nicholls State … HBC Brian Kelly thinks quarterback Garrett Nussmeier could throw for 50 touchdowns this season. He threw for six against Nicholls Saturday and has eight in two games. Saturday’s game: LSU is a 7-point favorite on the road at South Carolina.

Mississippi State (1-1): Monday, HBC Jeff Lebby lamented all the missed tackles which helped Arizona State run for 346 yards. “It’s one story. It’s tackling. Twenty-five missed tackles, over 250 yards after contact. I think that’s the frustrating part for our guys that when they watched the tape, there were plenty of times where we were in position and we got to get the guy on the ground.” Saturday’s game: Mississippi State is an 11.5-point favorite at home against Toledo.

No. 6 Missouri (2-0): Missouri is the first team since Wisconsin in 2019 to start the season with consecutive shutouts. Missouri opened with a 51-0 win over Murray State and followed that up with a 38-0 win over Buffalo. The Tigers lead the nation in total defense, allowing only 127 yards per game. Saturday’s game: Missouri is 16.5-point favorites at home against Boston College.

No. 15 Oklahoma (2-0): Following Oklahoma’s 16-12 win over Houston, HBC Brent Venables said, “We deserved to lose.” … Tackle Gracen Hatten was selected SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after a tackle for a safety and a sack for an 11-yard loss. Saturday’s game: Oklahoma is a 14-point home favorite against Tulane.

No. 5 Ole Miss (2-0): After two blowout wins over overmatched teams, HBC Lane Kiffin said Wake Forest is a better team than either of the two teams the Rebels have faced so far. Kiffin said, “I think this is a good measuring stick for where we’re at.” Saturday’s game: Ole Miss is a 23-point favorite at Wake Forest.

South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC): Safety Nick Emmanwori was selected SEC Defensive Player of the Week and placekicker Kai Kroger was selected SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Emmanori had seven tackles and an interception that he ran back for a touchdown in the Gamecocks 31-6 win over Kentucky. Kroeger launched five punts of 50 or more yards and had two downed inside the 20. Saturday’s game: The Gamecocks are 7-point underdogs at home to LSU.

No. 7 Tennessee (2-0): On the Matt Barrie Show, Paul Finebaum said, “Tennessee was always a dark horse and now I think they’re moving into they’re on the playoff line.” … Center Cooper Mays was selected SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week and quarterback Nico Iamaleava was selected SEC Freshman of the Week. Mays has gone 16 consecutive games without allowing a sack. Iamaleava threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns and he ran for a 31-yard touchdown, finishing with 65 rushing yards. Saturday’s game: The Vols are 49-point favorites at home against Kent State.

No. 2 Texas (2-0): HBC Steve Sarkisian is warning his team to avoid overconfidence, citing Northern Illinois beating No. 5 Notre Dame in South Bend as an example … Quarterback Quinn Ewers was selected SEC Offensive Player of the Week and center Jake Majors was selected SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week. Ewers completed 24-36 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan. Majors didn’t allow a sack and helped Texas dominate Michigan in the running game. Saturday’s game: The Longhorns are 34.5-point favorites to beat UT-San Antonio in Austin.

Texas A&M (1-1): Defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, a junior from Miami, said he believes the Aggies will end their 10-game road losing streak Saturday at Florida. Stewart said Monday, “… I’m feeling pretty confident in Saturday and we go in there and come out with a W.” Saturday’s game: The Aggies are a 4-point favorite to beat Florida in Gainesville.

Vanderbilt (2-0): New Mexico State transfer quarterback, who has led Vandy to two straight wins to start the season, said after Vandy’s win over Virginia Tech,  “Some people from over there called me a poor man’s Trace McSorley. When you stop me, then you can talk.” Saturday’s game: The Commodores are 10.5 favorites over Georgia State in Atlanta.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Whose seats are starting to feel as if someone has lit a blowtorch beneath their butts? And who are likely to survive although barely? It’s another year. Time for the first edition of Countdown to Firing Day.

Extinct Species List

None yet

On Life Support

Stan Drayton, Temple: He is 0-2 and there are maybe six winnable games on the schedule. He needs to win all six to be gainfully employed next year at Temple.

Sonnie Cumbie, Louisiana Tech: He’s got a paycheck game at North Carolina State this week. He needs to win seven of the last nine in the worst way.

Joe Moorhead, Akron: He’s not a bad football coach, but he’s at Akron, which is one of college football’s ultimate dead end jobs.

Will Hall, Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles are 1-1 and Hall needs to get to six wins. If he doesn’t get there and isn’t fired it’s because they can’t afford to buy him out.

Mike Bloomgren, Rice: It seems he starts every season on life support, but then ekes out just enough wins that they won’t fire him. Don’t be shocked if it happens again.

Endangered Species List

Billy Napier, Florida: He is unlikely to get fired because he has a future superstar in DJ Lagway that the Gators can’t afford to lose and interim president Kent Fuchs doesn’t really want to hand a new coach over to a new president likely named in the spring. But, if the Gators go in the tank, all bets are off.

Sam Pittman, Arkansas: This is a wait and see. We should know definitively by midseason. The offense looks very good with Bobby Petrino calling the plays. Can the Hogs outscore people because the defense doesn’t look promising?

Mike Houston, East Carolina: He’s won everywhere he’s ever coached except ECU where he’s 26-34. He has to get to seven wins or else he’s a goner.

Clay Helton, Georgia Southern: He has a schedule that can get him to seven wins. Any fewer and chances are he’ll get the pink slip.  

Jim McElwain, Central Michigan: Two straight losing seasons and a blowout loss to Florida International have made the natives restless. There are at least seven losses on that schedule. He needs to pull a rabbit out the wazzoo. If he survives it’s because they can’t afford to fire him.