What will it take for DJ to be named the starter for the remainder of the year or at least aTm?

First, he needs a "magical" game against Samford. I predict that Napier and Co (if there is one) will play it close to the vest instead of letting him make mistakes against a weak team. And then the defense has to effectively shut Samford out. If they are pissed then that is possible.

I don't expect Lagway would be the starter against aTm but he could easily be considered the long reliever who is warming up in the bullpen. And then he can easily be the starter for the remainder of the season if he shows better than Mertz.

But no play calls for Lagway until Mertz was injured is pretty damning as to what Napier is wired to do.

 

DJ will get all of Samford. If Mertz is healthy he will get A&M. However, if he has another crappy game then I think DJ comes in and if the offense clicks under DJ then I think it's DJ's job for the rest of the season.

 

I like the thought, and the premise of the question. And if it weren't for Billy's stubbornness, a brilliant performance by DJ might have some real impact. Unfortunately, I don't believe BN's going to bench Mertz for good, no matter what DJ does. That level of flexibility and bold decision making would surprise the absolute hell out me, coming from BN. On the bright side, I've been wrong before - recently.

 

Running all over the place and taking advantage of a week defense definitely will not do it nor will hitting wide-open receivers down the field. He’s got to show that he can throw from the pocket and make high-level throws that Mertz has not been making.

 

He started Waites at right tackle. He looked just like he did in the bowl game a couple years ago. I just can’t imagine that out of the 12 or 14 offensive lineman that we don’t have that somebody cannot do better than that. I don’t like to be down on a kid, but it just looks like he does not belong out there.

 

If we are going to have as lousy of a season as Miami game showed … getting Lagway as many reps as possible is the best thing to build for future.

BN would probably benefit in that it will likely be “more exciting” offense to watch and build a case for keeping him another year.

So even if we still stink, fans will have something to be excited about.

 

Mertz retires or enters the transfer portal, that is the only way.

 

Still listed as an "or" starter... people need to accapet this guy doesn't see anything wrong with what he is doing or his decision making, so we will continue to see the same mistakes until he is no longer employed.

 

If DJ has a great game Sat, I see Mertz' protocol getting "extended" a week to see what Lags can do against a team with a pulse. No QB controversy that way.

 

I don't think Billy would do that, mainly because it's his nature to play Mertz if available. But even then, artificially keeping Mertz off of the depth chart would mean that we're one Kam-Waites-missed-block away from Clay Millen taking snaps.

 

He lights it up Saturday...and

 

If DJ balls-out I see a scenario where he gets one or two possessions per half A&M game. With it possibly growing from there. If Mertz is healthy any game I think he’ll be the starter the rest of the season.

 

I expected DJ to get a series or two against Miami, but it looked like that wasn't the plan at all and he would not have played if not for the injury to Mertz. So that leads me to believe when Mertz is ready to go, he will be the starter again. Maybe we see DJ a series or two against A&M, or if Mertz just stinks you may go to DJ against A&M.

 

Have you seen this defense play the last few years?

 

If DJ defies the conservative play calling and is responsible for 6-7 TD's this game it will be hard to keep him off the field against Tx Jr.

 

I doubt he starts against the Collie Cult. I hope he does but I doubt it

 

I don’t think the game versus Samford matters even a little, good or bad for Lagway. To see Lagway versus aTm, either Mertz does not recover in time or he gets hurt during the game. Nothing about Napier indicates he is willing to try something new unless he absolutely has to. Miami successfully game planned against on the basis of last year’s film.