Dawn of the Dawg
Fansided

SEC quarterback power rankings (How high did Carson Beck climb?)

By Josh Yourish

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) heads to the locker room after a NCAA college football game against Missouri in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Georgia won 30-21.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) heads to the locker room after a NCAA college football game against Missouri in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Georgia won 30-21. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 14
Next
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 4, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 4, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] /

SEC QB rankings No. 7: Graham Mertz, Florida

  • Passing yards: 2,409
  • TD: 17 INT: 2
  • Comp: 73.9%
  • YPA: 8.1

Mertz has to be happy to be away from Madison. Things aren’t going great down in Gainesville after a Week 10 loss to Arkansas, but at least it’s not getting cold. Mertz has finally looked like the quarterback that the Badgers thought they were getting a few years ago.

He’s very safe with the football, with just three turnover-worthy plays as graded by PFF, this season. Of quarterbacks with multiple starts, that is tied with Conner Weigman for the fewest.

He has been the most accurate quarterback in the SEC by adjusted completion percentage, but his average depth of target is just 6.8. That’s nearly a yard lower than Spencer Rattler who is second lowest, and Rattler is forced to have a low ADOT because he’s pressured 38.1% of his dropbacks compared to Mertz at 27.9%.

Having Mertz as your quarterback is like marrying an accountant with a little money saved in a 401K, but with a fear of flying. Sure you’ll never have to worry about losing your house, but when you’re 40, living in a quiet suburb outside Cincinnati, you might find yourself wondering what Italy is like and if the beaches on the Amalfi coast are a little better than your yearly trips to Lake Erie.

Florida’s Italy is the College Football Playoff, and a risk-averse quarterback like Mertz will never get them there.

Home/Georgia Football