Thoughts of the Day: Mertz's Big Game Changed Perceptions

It’s amazing how a single game can change so many perceptions. Prior to Florida’s 41-39 come-from-behind win over South Carolina in Columbia, there were still plenty of college football writers questioning Billy Napier’s judgment for signing Graham Mertz out of the transfer portal. That Napier said on more than one occasion that Mertz was Florida’s top choice from the 24 portal quarterbacks that were evaluated has been a lightning rod for criticism, and not just from writers but Wisconsin fans as well. Wisconsin fans celebrated Mertz’s departure and the arrival of Tanner Mordecai, who threw 72 TDPs in two seasons at SMU.

Just a couple of weeks ago, one online publication had Mertz ranked outside its top 10 ranking of Southeastern Conference quarterbacks. Prior to the South Carolina game, one writer, using Pro Football Focus analytics, downplayed the fact that Mertz is one of the nation’s most accurate passers by noting the high percentage of completions thrown either behind the line of scrimmage or just beyond.

Then came South Carolina when Mertz went 30-48 for 423 yards with 11 completions of 15 or more yards and three TDPs. If his 45-yard bomb to Kahleil Jackson didn’t open eyes, then maybe that 26-yarder to Ricky Pearsall, thrown on the run and on fourth-and-10 with the game on the line should have.

It even caused one of Mertz’s more vocal critics to give an inch.

Matt Hayes of Saturday Down South wrote Monday, “Graham Mertz had the best game of his career and looked like a quarterback who could win more road games in the 2nd half of the season.”

But Hayes followed that up with, “Now a bit of reality: South Carolina has the statistically worst defense in the SEC.”

The Gamecocks do have a bad defense, but Florida’s offensive line is still shaky and the tough guy that Mertz is never flinched in the face of constant pressure and getting hit nearly every time he threw the ball. It takes a tough guy to take the physical punishment Mertz did and yet have the wherewithal to come through with big time throws with the game on the line. It doesn’t really matter who you’re playing, when you’ve been beaten up and still have it in you to make your best throws when your team needs it the most, you can flat out play.

Maybe some of the critics will admit Napier got the right guy.

Mertz is 170-223 (76.23 percent) for 1,897 yards (8.5 per attempt) and 12 TDs with only two interceptions. Tanner Mordecai, the guy the Wisconsin faithful were so giddy to sign as the replacement QB, is 114-179 (63.7 percent) for 1,128 yards (6.3 per attempt) with three TDPs and three interceptions.

Florida basketball: Roster observations

With just a little more than two weeks before the Gators hold their Orange and Blue Scrimmage at the O-Dome, here is the roster and some observations about each player.

Zyon Pullin (6-4, 206, GR/TR): Suspended the first three games due to an NCAA ruling. At Cal-Riverside scored 1,312 points while making All-Big West last year when he averaged 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He’s a point who is big enough and a good enough shooter to play on the wing as well.

Tyrese Samuel (6-10, 235, GR/TR): Starter. Big, physical guy who is a space eater in the paint. Seton Hall transfer who averaged 11 points and 4.3 rebounds. Excellent defender and strong rebounder. Knows how to score on the inside. Shot 55 percent from the field at Seton Hall last year.

Julian Rishwain (6-5, 200, GR/TR): Tough guy who can shoot. Played for Todd Golden at San Francisco. He’ll come off the bench with orders to let it fly when he’s got an open shot.

Will Richard (6-4, 206, JR): Starter. Out of necessity often had to play inside a year ago. The Gators have the size this year so he’ll be out on the wing where he can heat up in a hurry from the 3-point line. Averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last year when he hit 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers and 85.7 percent of his free throws. He will be a mismatch as a small forward.

Walter Clayton Jr. (6-2, 195, JR/TR): Starter. He was the Metro-Atlantic Conference Player of the Year at Iona where he was coached by Rick Pitino. Averaged 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Deadly 3-point shooter who hit 43.1 percent from deep at Iona. Can start at the point or the wing. Automatic at the foul line. Led the country at 95.3 percent a year ago.

Riley Kugel (6-5, 207, SO): Starter. He could have the kind of season that will vault him into the top half of the first round of the NBA Draft. He’s stronger and playing with so much more confidence. He can slash and get to the rim off the bounce, and he’s a good enough 3-point shooter that defenders can’t sag off him. Averaged 9.9 per game a year ago, but 17.3 while scoring in double figures each of the last 10 games a year ago after he was elevated to a starting role.

Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 190, SO): He’s much improved over last year. Although he’s gained only one pound, he looks much stronger and plays a more physical game. Pure point guard who has knockdown ability from the 3-point line.

Aleks Szymczyk (6-10, 250, SO): He’s been unable to practice because of a broken foot, so it will take the month of November to get back into basketball shape. He’s added muscle and should be a contributor off the bench.

Micah Handlogten (7-1, 235, SO/TR): Rim protector. Transferred in from Marshall where he averaged 7.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game. He runs the floor well and erases in the paint. Offensive skills aren’t as developed as the defense, but he can definitely score any time he gets the ball inside five feet. With another 10 pounds of muscle he will be a beast.

Alex Condon (6-11, 230, FR): Pencil him in as a starter. He runs the floor, scores both inside and outside and is a better than average defender. Australian rules football taught him toughness. He’s a much better rebounder than anticipated. At the top of the key he’s a threat to knock down shots or find open shooters inside.

Thomas Haugh (6-9, 210, FR): How this guy was only a 3-star prospect is anyone’s guess. He’s got skills. Handles the ball quite well, has a nice stroke from the outside and is not the least bit afraid to mix it up inside. He can play the wing, run the baseline and handle the high post as a stretch four.

Kajus Kublickas (6-2, 171, FR): He’s skinny and needs to add strength, but the potential is there and easy to see. He shoots the ball very well from the 3-point line, handles the ball well against pressure and is an unselfish passer. He’s better than anticipated.

SEC football

No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0 SEC): Asked Monday if sacks are an issue with the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban replied, “I would say hell yeah.” Alabama has given up 31 sacks in seven games, which ranks 130th nationally. Describing further what is going wrong with the offensive line, Saban said, “These are not all capability issues.”

Arkansas (2-5, 0-4 SEC): Sam Pittman says he has no clue when stud running back Rocket Sanders will be back. Sanders, who is recovering from a knee injury, didn’t make the trip last week to Alabama and Pittman says he won’t be playing Saturday against Mississippi State. Sanders ran for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. He has 91 yards on 34 carries in three games this season.

Auburn (3-3, 0-3 SEC): Payton Thorne’s numbers are abysmal. He’s thrown for 745 yards in six games with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s averaging only 6.4 yards per attempt. This is a far cry from what Auburn expected when Thorne transferred in from Michigan State. Thorne threw 19 touchdown passes a year ago at Michigan State, 27 the year before.

No. 1 Georgia (7-0, 4-0 SEC): All-America tight end Brock Bowers will undergo the tightrope procedure on his injured ankle. Best case scenario is he will be back again mid-November. Bowers has 41 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Kentucky (5-2, 2-2 SEC): Another team whose transfer quarterback hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations is Kentucky. When Devin Leary transferred in from North Carolina State, expectations were UK was getting the quarterback who threw for 35 touchdowns with only five interceptions in an injury-free 2021. This year’s version is completing only 54.4 percent for 7.1 per attempt and he’s thrown seven interceptions with 14 TDPs. In his last three SEC games against Florida, Georgia and Missouri, Leary is a combined 33-72 for 317 yards, a meager 4.4 per attempt.

No. 19 LSU (5-2, 4-1 SEC): At their present pace, both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. will surpass the 1,000 receiving yards mark. Nabers has caught 52 passes for 860 yards (16.54 per catch) and seven touchdowns, while Thomas has 39 receptions for 610 yards and nine touchdowns.

Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3 SEC): Zach Arnett still won’t give an injury update on quarterback Will Rogers and running back Jo’Quavious Marks, both of whom were injured against Western Michigan a couple of weeks ago. Rogers has thrown for 1,275 yards and 10 touchdowns while Marks has run for 458 and four TDs.

No. 20 Missouri (6-1, 2-1 SEC): Running back Cody Shrader has run for 648 yards and seven touchdowns with five games of 100-plus yards. With a big game against South Carolina Saturday, Shrader could eclipse the 744 yards he gained in 13 games a season ago.

No. 13 Ole Miss (5-1, 2-1 SEC): Lane Kiffin anticipates wide receiver Jordan Watkins (hand) will be available Saturday when the Rebels go on the road to face Auburn. Watkins leads the Rebels with 36 catches for 536 yards (14.89 per catch) and two touchdowns.

South Carolina (2-4, 1-3 SEC): South Carolina’s pass defense, which ranks dead last in the SEC, has serious problems dealing with opponents’ slot receivers. In the last three games, opposing slot receivers have averaged 8.67 catches for 175.33 yards. As a team, the Gamecocks are giving up 321.7 yards per game through the air and 8.4 yards per pass attempt.

No. 17 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC): A year ago the Vols ranked 92 among the nation’s top defenses, allowing 405.3 yards per game. Through seven games this season, they’ve cut more than 100 yards per game (303) and they’re ranked 17th.

Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC): In SEC games against Auburn and Arkansas, the Aggies averaged 206.5 yards per game on the ground. In losses to Alabama and Tennessee, they’ve gained a combined 121 yards on 63 carries, an average of 1.92 per carry. The Aggies averaged 38.6 points in their first five games, just 16.5 in their last two.

Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-4 SEC): The Commodores have lost their last six games after starting the season 2-0, which means they’ll have to win three of their last four simply to equal last year’s 5-7 record.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: At the Knoxville Quarterback Club, Urban Meyer squashed the idea that he may be considering a return to coaching college football – “No desire” – citing NIL and the transfer portal as the chief reasons he has no intention to make a comeback.

“It has never been harder, I am telling you right now," Meyer said per the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Meyer lamented the fact that it’s legal now for players to have agents. “… Remember those days?” Meyer asked. “Maybe a coordinator every once in a while had an agent. There is nothing wrong with agents. They're great, but when I am the head coach having to deal with a high school player that [says] 'meet with my agent first,' I am going I want to meet with your family because you are talking about recruiting and other stuff.”