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Wisconsin Football: 3 hot takes from blowout win over Illinois

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 23, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (44) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (44) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz looks and completes one of his 20 completed passes Friday night. Mertz only threw one incompletion and threw four of his five touchdowns in the first half in Wisconsin’s opening victory over Illinois, Uwgrid24 18
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz looks and completes one of his 20 completed passes Friday night. Mertz only threw one incompletion and threw four of his five touchdowns in the first half in Wisconsin’s opening victory over Illinois, Uwgrid24 18 /

1. Graham Mertz will be a top-three Big Ten quarterback

I believed before Wisconsin took the field that Jack Coan’s absence was actually going to benefit the Badgers. There was actually an overwhelming feeling that Graham Mertz was the better quarterback all along, but Coan had the experience and veteran leadership.

And the redshirt freshman proved me right.

Mertz finished the game 20-for-21 with 248 yards and five touchdowns. He did have a pretty clean pocket all night and didn’t ever look uncomfortable and he played free. He looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and I think that when he returns from the COVID-19 absence, he should be the clear starter.

When healthy, Mertz has the talent to be one of the top three quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Obviously Justin Fields is No. 1 and guys like Joe Milton, Sean Clifford, Tanner Morgan and Michael Penix Jr. will fight for that No. 2 spot, but Mertz can catapult to the top of that list behind the Ohio State star.

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