Graham Mertz Eligibility @ UM
After his big opening game and subsequent positive Covid test there was a lot of conjecture regarding Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz and if he would be eligible to play against UM on Saturday. Initially everyone seemed to think he would not be eligible to play. CBS Sports said as much.
He will now be required to sit out for three weeks, according to the coronavirus protocols instituted by the Big Ten upon its return to play. Mertz will also have to undergo extensive cardiac testing to investigate any long-term conditions that could arise from COVID-19 including myocarditis. Wisconsin will play at Nebraska, vs. Purdue and at No. 13 Michigan over the next three weeks.
Then, quite a bit of disagreement ensued. Some said he can play on the 21st day, others said he can play on the 22nd day, while others said it was not conclusive based on the language of the rule. Was the test on Friday or Saturday? Does the clock start from the day of the first test or the subsequent confirmed test the next day?
Fast forward and now USA Today Badgers Wire is suggesting Mertz can in fact play on Saturday as his first negative test came on Friday, making Saturday the first day he will be eligible to play. UW has declined to comment on this topic all together. Here's what Badgers Wire is saying
The redshirt-freshman QB initially tested positive for COVID-19 on October 24 and the Big Ten has a strict 21-day policy for returning to play. With Mertz’s first test coming on October 24, this Friday, November 13, would be his 21st day in conference protocol. UW has not confirmed this timeline, but if the initial report about when Mertz tested positive is true it would hold up. He would be eligible to play in games starting then, and would be eligible to play in this Saturday’s Michigan game. Would that be likely without any practice time? Turns out Mertz can be on the field before Friday.
Per Big Ten protocol, if the Kansas native is cleared by a school cardiologist he can begin an “activity progression” 15 days after his initial positive, which would have been yesterday, November 8. If each step of this progression is cleared by a team physician, Mertz can be back at practice this Wednesday through Friday in preparation for the Wolverines.
So, it appears it now comes down to if Mertz feels ready based on his limited practice time, which is essentially Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday. Personally I don't think that makes a bit of difference after watching him play. So long as he's symptom free, he should be just fine. The way things are going this year for UM I'd be very surprised if he doesn't play and play well.
November 11th, 2020 at 10:39 AM ^
Agreed. You also can't be blindsided when your defense gives up historic numbers to OSU back to back years.
November 11th, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
We have investigated ourselves and determined that we're doing a fantastic job!
November 11th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
That is beyond disturbing.
November 11th, 2020 at 9:07 AM ^
Seriously does it matter?! Our Defense is quite porous and is vulnerable to attack via ground or air. I see the Badgers putting up 400 to 500 yards very easily whomever is behind center. If we win this game we will need to outscore them and that is virtually impossible with our erratic Offense. Quite frankly the Wisconsin D will be the strongest we have faced this year. I doubt we score over 20 pts.
November 11th, 2020 at 9:14 AM ^
As long as he feels like he can throw it deep against number 4 he should be a okay.
November 11th, 2020 at 9:45 AM ^
So, what we are basically saying here is that there is a non-zero chance that, on Saturday night, we are bent over and rightly Mertzed, correct?
November 11th, 2020 at 10:03 AM ^
Nothing like a good Mertzing in front of a national TV audience!
November 11th, 2020 at 10:10 AM ^
I shared this photo in a different recent thread, but it bears repeating. If I know that I'm getting Mertzed beforehand, I'll prepare for the inevitable by downing a few cans of Steel Reserve Alloy Series.
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November 11th, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
This has led to the vegas line moving to 4.5 for Wisconsin. Surprised it hasn't moved more.
November 11th, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
Haven't thought about it until now, but if we thought losing to a terrible MSU team and to Indiana for the first time since the 80's was bad.... Getting shit stomped by a Wisconsin team where half of the team hasn't practiced in 2 weeks and is short 15 players on game day will really be awful. Even worse, we all pretty much expect it to happen.
#year6
November 11th, 2020 at 11:04 AM ^
We have injured players out and they have Covid players in ... rested, ready to go. This year is just so stupid, it should have never happened. Might as well just treat it as extended spring ball - give the reps to the youngsters that need game time and build experience for 2021. Might as well put Seldon in at CB and see what he can do ... it can't be worse than Gray's "in a slump" performance.
November 11th, 2020 at 10:22 AM ^
Who cares? We won't score on their D. They will beat us by 7 without him or 27 with him.
November 11th, 2020 at 10:59 AM ^
You've got it my man.
"The way things are going this year for UM I'd be very surprised if he doesn't play and play well."
November 11th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
Another thing that helps is that its a late game . I wonder if things were different if it was an early kickoff .
November 11th, 2020 at 11:02 AM ^
Is it possible that Wisconsin claimed covid numbers to avoid playing with a 4th string qb and now magically they are healthy just as Mertz becomes eligible to play again. Seems a little suspicious.
And funny how they want this game a night game to spotlight this program falling apart before our eyes.
November 11th, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^
Barry Alvarez is a sham artist and anything is possible.
November 11th, 2020 at 11:37 AM ^
I think he will play and he will have a big day against our broken secondary! May be our offense can show more life but I don't think it will be enough to overcome what our defense gives up.
November 11th, 2020 at 12:44 PM ^
Not sure if it's just 'coach speak', but if he IS truly surprised by the criticism, he's an idiot.
Any football fan can see how bad the program looks right now...
i think Seth was talking about EPSN's FPI index and how some of the worst Michigan FPI's have been recent games...ie the opposite one would expect with a coaching change...
It is possible he is able to course correct? Sure, but there's nothing that leads me to think it will improved beyond his ceiling of 10 wins.
November 11th, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^
Question is ...are all those recruits still coming to watch us get embarrassed?! That will seal the deal for the other schools ( osu etc)) ugh!
November 11th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
I want Mertz to play so they lose this game and every other game so there is no ambiguity about where this has to go.
November 11th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
I want Mertz to play so they lose this game and every other game so there is no ambiguity about where this has to go.
November 11th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
I want Mertz to play so they lose this game and every other game so there is no ambiguity about where this has to go.
November 11th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
I want Mertz to play so they lose this game and every other game so there is no ambiguity about where this has to go.
November 11th, 2020 at 1:44 PM ^
I don’t believe you.
November 11th, 2020 at 3:44 PM ^
Hello from a Badger fan.
I know you guys are down on your team right now, but sheez. Neither of us knows who is and isn't playing for the Badgers. As stated in this thread, there were lots of student-athlete positives, but only a handful that would be eligible to return this week because of the 21-day requirement. The guys you're down on might look a lot better against 2nd and 3rd teamers.
Even if the O gets Mertz back, that could easily be counterbalanced if the O-line has to be makeshift - plus this is a less talented RB corps to begin with. What if the receiving corps is shorthanded?
The D is stout with its regular rotation, but what does it look like now? And, they had trouble containing Brandon Peters on QB runs - how much did they learn to be able to contain a superior runner like Milton?
In summation, I don't think the pessimism toward your team's chances is warranted. It seems unlikely that UW will be at anything close to its normal self, so you got that going for you. Which is nice.