College football analyst Andy Staples makes bold claim about Tennessee's win against Florida in 2024 that won't sit well with Vols fans
On3 national college football analyst/writer Andy Staples thinks the Tennessee Vols' game against the Florida Gators would've turned out differently last season if Florida head coach Billy Napier had made some better decisions. Specifically, Staples thinks Florida would've beaten Tennessee last fall in Knoxville had the Gators started quarterback DJ Lagway instead of Graham Mertz. […]
On3 national college football analyst/writer Andy Staples thinks the Tennessee Vols' game against the Florida Gators would've turned out differently last season if Florida head coach Billy Napier had made some better decisions.
Specifically, Staples thinks Florida would've beaten Tennessee last fall in Knoxville had the Gators started quarterback DJ Lagway instead of Graham Mertz.
"If you go back to last season, they (Florida) should've beaten Tennessee," said Staples on McElroy and Cubelic on Friday. "There were some bad coaching decisions, including…you should've been starting DJ Lagway by that point. Like, if he starts that game, Florida beats Tennessee."
Tennessee beat Florida 23-17 in overtime in 2024. Mertz started the game and completed 11-of-15 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game due to injury.
Lagway went 9-of-17 for 98 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in relief of Mertz (Lagway's touchdown pass, which forced overtime, came with 29 seconds left in regulation).
There's no doubt that Lagway is a better quarterback than Mertz. But I'm not sure I can agree with Staples' comment. I mean, maybe he's right, but we'll never know because it's a hypothetical scenario that can never be answered accurately.
What we do know, though, is that Florida scored only seven points once Lagway entered the game in the third quarter. And Mertz's last possession resulted in a touchdown for the Gators while Lagway's first possession resulted in an interception (which Tennessee turned into three points).
Lagway entered the game with Florida leading and the Gators ended up losing the game.
That's why I think it's probably a stretch to say that Florida wins that game if Lagway starts. If he couldn't hold onto the lead once he entered the game, why should we believe that he would've led the Gators to a win on Rocky Top had he started the game?
