Why Graham Mertz is the key to a Florida win vs. Miami in Week 1
Florida and Miami‘s Week 1, primetime matchup will take center stage on August 31. Kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET to help set the table for one of the most highly anticipated college football seasons to date.
The game also represents a crucial one for the Gators ahead of schedule that’s an absolute gauntlet and is tabbed as one of the most difficult in the entire country. And if Florida wants to defend their home turf against the Hurricanes, Gators Online‘s Nick de la Torre believes quarterback Graham Mertz will be the biggest difference maker.
“I think for Florida he doesn’t get talked about a lot, he wasn’t on any of the preseason lists, but Graham Mertz,” del la Torre said Monday on the On3 Roundtable. “I think it starts up front with Graham Mertz and he’s a 24-year-old, sixth-year player.”
“And if you look at the recent history guys like Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield, the second year for a quarterback in his system after transferring the jump they’ve been able to take.”
Mertz joined the Gators ahead of the 2023 season through the transfer portal after spending the first four years of his college career at Wisconsin. Throwing for a career-high 2,903 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and just three interceptions last year for the Gators. Potentially poised to take another leap as he enters the season with 42 career starts under his belt.
“So I think internally and here in Gainesville, Florida fans have gone from why is Florida getting a quarterback from Wisconsin who has no interest in the forward pass, to a lot of confidence in Graham Mertz heading into this year,” de la Torre explained.
Only three quarterbacks were sacked more in the SEC than Mertz last season, who was sacked 31 times. Also losing his top wideout from last season Ricky Pearsall to the NFL Draft.
But de la Torre believes that some transfer portal additions could better equip Mertz this upcoming season, which could potential lead to a breakout performance and Week 1 victory for the Gators in The Swamp in a crucial in-state rivalry game.
“And I think they did a good job adding a couple players at receiver and on the offensive line to kind of protect Graham and to give him some options to throw to. I think that’s where it starts but it’s the SEC, everything is going to start up front. I think Miami has a really good offensive line and defensive line, Florida needs to protect Graham Mertz and give him time to throw and to find those receivers,” de la Torre concluded.