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Wisconsin football: Can Graham Mertz be more effective at QB?

Cole Thompson

By Cole Thompson

Published:

While Wisconsin might be down following its 17-14 loss to Washington State, it’s far from out. Losses against non-conference opponents might hurt a team’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, but they do little to affect the outcome of the Big Ten West. 

The Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday to take on New Mexico State. Everything bodes well for Wisconsin, which enters the game as a 37.5-point favorite. The Aggies (0-3) recently allowed the Badgers’ Big Ten West rival Minnesota to torch their defense for 485 yards in a 38-0 rout.

Wisconsin doesn’t need elite play from its offense to walk away victorious this week. Heck, even lukewarm play might be enough to cover the spread. 

Paul Chryst can’t settle for average play from his offense, though. More specifically, Chryst and the Badgers need consistent play from quarterback Graham Mertz. 

Mertz hasn’t been terrible out of the gate this season. He showed poise commanding the huddle in the Badgers’ opening win against Illinois State, completing 87.5 percent of his throws (14-for-16) for 219 yards and a touchdown. 

The numbers, however, could’ve been better. Most of Mertz’s passes were on short-to-intermediate throws. The longest play — a 74-yard reception by wide receiver Chimere Dike — was a screen pass that turned into a massive gain. 

Again, Mertz was far from mediocre in the loss to the Cougars. He carried the Badgers for most of the first half, going 13-of-22 with 2 touchdowns. 

But again, consistency matters. Mertz struggled to regain his rhythm in the final 30 minutes, completing just 5 passes for less than 100 yards. He missed reads left and right. He prolonged plays waiting for receivers to get open downfield, thus taking time off the clock and putting pressure on the offense to pick up the pace. 

To be fair, Mertz’s interception came on a rushed throw due to poor protection. He also was driving late in the fourth quarter before a fumble by tight end Clay Cundiff in Cougars’ territory ultimately cost the Badgers a chance to win. 

One thing Mertz will need to work on moving forward is finding a connection on first down. Through 2 games, Mertz has completed 77.8 percent of his passes on second down and 68.8 percent on third down. 

On first downs, he’s currently completing 58.3 percent of his throws.

The Badgers offensive line will need to play better once conference play begins. They’ll need to be more consistent opening running lanes for Braelon Allen and Julius Davis, both of whom have excelled on rushing plays. 

Wisconsin can’t be one-dimensional moving forward. In years past, the offensive line did enough in the run game to camouflage sub-par quarterback play. That likely isn’t going to work in 2022.

A loss to Washington State stings, but it’s not a nail in the coffin for the Badgers’ chance to make it to Indianapolis in December. Insufficient quarterback play from Mertz, however, might be the reason Wisconsin is watching the Big Ten Championship from Madison rather than inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Mertz has been a so-so starter since taking the job from Jack Coan in 2020. So-so might not cut it looking ahead. His performance against the Aggies might give fans a better indication on where the offense is heading leading into a Sept. 24 trip to Ohio State that begins league play.

Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.