Tag: College Football Wire

Where Graham Mertz’s QBR ranks among SEC QBs after Week 5 loss

Mertz essentially stood pat in the QBR ratings rankings after the Kentucky loss.

Florida football was tripped up by the Kentucky Wildcats last weekend in a demoralizing game that set the program back a step, but starting quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] was not the reason for the season-defining defeat. While the transfer from Wisconsin is nowhere near elite, he has been one of the most consistent presences on the team this fall.

Following Week 5, College Sports Wire’s Ryan Haley ranked the Southeastern Conference’s starting signal-callers according to quarterback rating, with Mertz coming in at No. 10. This is essentially where he landed in last week’s rankings when he came in ninth, but the addition of Texas A&M‘s Max Johnson pushed him down a notch.

The redshirt junior’s QBR was 66.3 ahead of the Kentucky loss and lost a few points, dropping just a smidgen to 64.7 after the defeat. Interestingly, he ranks higher than UK’s Devin Leary, who came in at No. 13 this week with a 47.6 QBR, up from No. 12 at 49.5.

Next up for the Orange and Blue are the Vanderbilt Commodores, who come to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, for the school’s homecoming game. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT and the game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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College 12-Pack Podcast: Nick Saban vs Kirby Smart, who is No. 1?

The two Wires editors will dive into 12 topics around the college landscape each and every week, bringing you the top news from around the nation straight into your headphones.

The College Wire Network released a new podcast, the ‘College 12-Pack’ featuring senior editor Patrick Conn and LSU Wire editor Tyler Nettuno, this week ahead of the 2023 college football season. The two Wires editors will dive into 12 topics around the college landscape each and every week, bringing you the top news from around the nation straight into your headphones.

The debut edition discusses Patrick and Tyler’s quick takeaways from the Southeastern Conference’s decision to stay at eight conference games. Among the questions they ask are, “Did SEC commissioner Greg Sankey not get his way?” and “Which teams were looking to get nine conference matchups?”

The other topics of discussion were drawn from around Conn’s quarterback rankings, which he released back in mid-May. Bo Nix, D.J. Uiagalelei, and Michael Pratt were among the top quarterbacks but was their placement too high or too low?

Of course, everyone is wondering who the No. 1 head coach in college football is, right? Patrick makes the case for Alabama head coach Nick Saban, while Tyler argues for Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.

The guys also discuss the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the college football Hall of Fame ballot, and offer their predictions for schools that will make the College World Series.

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Check out Tebow’s College Football Hall of Fame credentials ahead of induction

Take a look at Tim Tebow’s College Football Hall of Fame resume, according to @College_Wire.

One of the greatest football players to ever wear the beloved Orange and Blue is unquestionably the quarterback who won a Heisman Trophy and two national championships in Gainesville: [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag]. His tenure with the Gators was must-see TV as he put on a show unlike any seen before he came to the Swamp.

Florida football under [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag] along with the well-heralded signal caller brought the program to its high-water mark in the mid-aughts, but unfortunately, Meyer and Tebow fell short of their goal of winning a third title before he left. The southpaw quarterback found limited success in the NFL but will always be known for his collegiate greatness.

College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn put together his breakdown of each of the 18 candidates in this cycle, including Tebow. Here is what he had to offer.

Position: Quarterback

Years: 2006-09

Florida felt the impact of Tim Tebow immediately. As a freshman, he was the backup to starting quarterback [autotag]Chris Leak[/autotag]. He would come in mostly in running situations but would throw the ball as well. That year they won the BCS national championship and would do it again with Tebow as the starter in 2008. He finished his career with 2,947 rushing yards and 57 rushing touchdowns, 23 came in 2007 when he won the Heisman Trophy. He also passed for 9,285 yards and 88 touchdowns.

Tebow’s Accolades:

  • Heisman Trophy Winner (2007)
  • First-team All-American (2007, 2008)
  • Heisman Trophy Finalist (2008, 2009)
  • National Champion (2006, 2008)

Tebow and the rest of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by the City of Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

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