University of Wisconsin redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz knows how to make an entrance. Filling in for the injured Jack Coan, Mertz may have stolen the job for good in Madison. Mertz has had buzz attached to him since he committed as a four-star prospect coming out of the State of Kansas. Additionally, he was pegged as the third-best pocket passer in the country for his class. Against Illinois, he completed over 95 percent of passes. That should only add to the hype.
At one point, Mertz had completed 17 consecutive throws, which ties a Badger record. He also put six on the board five times. Tight end Jake Henderson was Mertz’s favorite scoring target, hauling in three touchdown catches en route to a 45-7 victory against Illinois.
Wisconsin misses Penn State and Ohio State out of the east during the regular season. The path to Indianapolis was already favorable for the Badgers. Adding a dynamic passing attack, Mertz throws an awfully pretty deep ball, to the traditional bruising running game almost ensures Wisconsin will represent the west. A Big Ten Championship matchup between undefeated Ohio State and Wisconsin. Justin Fields against Graham Mertz. What is beginning to take shape is the most important conference game on the national stage in a decade.
