Bleacher Report recently released a list of the biggest quarterback battles in college football this season, which includes a very surprising pick in the Wisconsin Badgers.
To me, this battle is non-existent. Last year as a starter, Jack Coan threw for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions that led him to a 151.8 QBR. Coan was not the most explosive player on the field, but he made plays that won games for the Badgers. His consistency was refreshing for Wisconsin fans, who had become used to poor quarterback play in the years since Russell Wilson.
Under Coan’s leadership the Badgers won ten games, went to the Big Ten Championship Game, and went to a Rose Bowl. There were flashes of greatness in both post-season games from Coan, even though they ended poorly for Wisconsin, which leads me to believe with another year under his belt Coan will be even better.
Paul Chryst has also shown a fondness for Coan in his time as the starting quarterback, to the point where he chose Coan over blue-chip recruit, Graham Mertz, last season in the same quarterback battle. The choice of Coan over Mertz last season was made without the remarkably solid play from Jack Coan throughout last season, which is why there is not really a quarterback battle for this season. Mertz threw ten times in 2019 at the end of games, and unless he has dramatically improved during his redshirt season, there is no reason why Coan shouldn’t win the starting job.
Jack Coan has the experience, talent, and leadership to be an outstanding quarterback for Wisconsin this season. Graham Mertz will have his time to shine at Camp Randall, but for now, he can continue to develop under one of the best quarterbacks Wisconsin has seen in the last decade.