Badgers/Illini GT = 7:00 BTN

[sdn40]

While Mertz looked calm in the pocket and seems to have a bright future, let's not crown him just yet. Yes he made a couple nice throws but also a ton of first read dump offs and wide open guys. Simply watch with a realistic eye

Watch on YouTube

[Mags FTW]

Shut up, jerk. He's bigger than Jesus.

[ReasonablySober]

Sad thing is if he's really this good we'll only have him through this season and the next.

[DrWood]

Sad thing is if he's really this good we'll only have him through this season and the next.

Can a redshirt sophomore go pro?

[HaroldinGMinor]

Sad thing is if he's really this good we'll only have him through this season and the next.

Can a redshirt sophomore go pro?

While there is no minimum age for professional football players, the NFL mandates that you must be out of high school for at least three years before you are eligible to play. If you graduate at 17 years old, that means you must wait until you are 20 to enter the NFL draft.

[MickeyDavis]

Yup this season and next and he go.

[Ron Swanson]

So this is what it's like to finally have a difference-maker at QB huh?

[ReasonablySober]

So this is what it's like to finally have a difference-maker at QB huh?

Not old enough to remember Russ?

Anyway, Nebraska will be down their two starting safeties for the first half next week because of targeting calls today.

[Ron Swanson]

I'll never forget the 2011 season but it also feels like Mertz won't be neutered to the extent that Russ was under BB. Did Wilson even have a 4-TD game with us?

[sdn40]

So this is what it's like to finally have a difference-maker at QB huh?

Is that what you saw ?

[Ron Swanson]

So this is what it's like to finally have a difference-maker at QB huh?

Is that what you saw ?

....yes?

[jakecronus8]

Running game is a bit concerning. Obviously it’s early, but Illinois is one of the worst defenses against the run in the country and the backs didn’t really pass the eye test to me. Not much power and next to no ability to make guys miss. Hope we go to Berger if those guys don’t play big next week.

[ReasonablySober]

So this is what it's like to finally have a difference-maker at QB huh?

Is that what you saw ?

....yes?

Yea, dude, what were you watching? That was as good as QB play gets.

[TroyD92]

Is that what you saw ?

....yes?

Yea, dude, what were you watching? That was as good as QB play gets.

short passes seem to be his biggest point of contention, but that seems to be the norm in modern offenses.

[ReasonablySober]

....yes?

Yea, dude, what were you watching? That was as good as QB play gets.

short passes seem to be his biggest point of contention, but that seems to be the norm in modern offenses.

He threw two TDs that were pro-throws. You can't downplay his performance.

[skones]

I'll never forget the 2011 season but it also feels like Mertz won't be neutered to the extent that Russ was under BB. Did Wilson even have a 4-TD game with us?

Chryst was calling the plays with Wilson, and yes he did. Vs. Minnesota.

[sdn40]

To be clear, I'm not taking anything away from his performance. I'm simply not touting that they start engraving the Heisman just yet. Off the top of my head, I believe his throw to the post to Ferguson was his best throw. The deep ball along the sideline was nice as well. A couple slants that had decent coverage. Some deeper crosses, albeit wide open. TD passes with nobody within 15 yards. I gotta believe there were at least 10 passes that were one read, at the line of scrimmage throws. I was gonna go back and document it closer - but if you watch the highlights, it's not hard to notice. As mentioned, you just have to be realistic about the view. Right or wrong, I think the tight window slant throws are more impressive than a 40 yard throw to a receiver running completely free. And how impressive is a slant throw ? You decide. The 10+ throws at the line of scrimmage ? Not a plus or minus. Those are equivalent to a kicker making an extra point or the center executing a snap without falling down.

As I reference above, definitely reason to be optimistic, but can you watch that video and see any throw Darrell Bevell couldn't make ? Receivers were running wide open by pee wee league standards. I'll await further evaluation for when they play a competent pass defense with normal coverage windows before I utter the words difference maker or make references to Jesus.