Florida is heading into a huge game against Georgia with momentum on its side.

The Gators are coming off of back-to-back wins over Vanderbilt and South Carolina and had the chance to take a week off with the bye week.

The anchor of Florida’s strong play has been quarterback Graham Mertz. The Wisconsin transfer is coming into his own with the Gators, putting together back-t0-back 3-touchdown performances. Against South Carolina, he amassed 423 yards.

Billy Napier is counting on Mertz’s strong play as Florida prepares for Georgia on Saturday.

“I think what we’ve learned is 15 is a very capable player,” Napier said in his press conference Monday. “I think when given the opportunity, if we can protect him, if we can create separation, if we can win individual matchups, we’ve got a good designed play, he can get it to the right guy, right?”

And Napier has seen the players around Mertz get better to, which makes his job as the quarterback much easier.

“I do think that we are steadily improving around him,” Napier said. “I think the freshmen tight ends are growing up. I think the continuity in the offensive line has helped us. I think we’re getting some pretty good receiver play week to week depending on who’s available. I think that’s another area of our team where we’ve had different lineups for some weeks. But overall if you’re going to move the ball in this league, it takes every position’s got to do their part.”

Napier knows that winning big games starts at the quarterback position, and he has a good option with Mertz at the helm.

“I think playing well at quarterback is certainly a big part of the puzzle, right, if you’re going to put this thing together,” Napier said. “I think the key is going to be that we play well around the quarterback. I think at each position group, there’s unique challenges relative to the plan that will be really, really important.”

Florida is looking for a big upset over the Bulldogs in Jacksonville on Saturday. Georgia is looking for a 3rd-straight win over the Gators as the Bulldogs continue their quest for another national championship.