GAINESVILLE, Florida. – Jimmy Johnson, who won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s by building and managing some of the best rosters in NFL history, was once asked about the starting status of a player returning from injury. A media personality made the suggestion (assumption, really) that cited the age-old adage that a player can’t lose his job because of an injury.

“Where does it say that?” Johnson shot back. “Whoever said that was probably hurt.”

And that brings us to Saturday’s Southeastern Conference season opener between Florida (1-1, 0-0) and Texas A&M (1-1, 0-0) at Spurrier/Florida Field and, more specifically, the Gators’ five-alarm story.

Graham Mertz or DJ Lagway?

(Read the extended preview of “Opening Kickoff” by senior writer Scott Carter here)

Mertz, the sixth-year senior and 2023 starting quarterback, was under center for UF’s season opener against No. 19 Miami two weeks ago, an ugly 41-17 blowout loss when he completed just 11 of 20 passes for 91 yards and an interception before leaving the game in the fourth with a concussion. Lagway, the touted freshman and five-star recruit, went 3 of 6 for 31 yards, an interception and a touchdown drive in mop-up duty against the Hurricanes, then took over the starting job in Week 2 while Mertz was in the concussion protocol.

Against FCS opponent Samford, Lagway played up his 2023 five-star Gatorade National Player of the Year credentials, going 18-for-25 for 456 yards (the ninth-highest single-game total in UF history) and three touchdowns in a 45-7 win over the Bulldogs.

So Gators coach Billy Napier had a decision to make this week. Would he reinstate Mertz for the first conference game or ride with Lagway and the electrifying energy he brought to his debut in “The Swamp”? Florida fans took to social media, airwaves and message boards to make it clear who they wanted (The Child), but Napier had to balance what Mertz’s steady hand and on-field management of the offense have meant to the program the past two seasons with the impressive statistics Lagway put up in a single game against a much lesser opponent. Then he had to decide which QB gave the Gators the best chance to win.

Napier has already said they will both play (all signs point to Mertz getting the start), but who gets on the field first will have a lot to do with the overall mood in the sold-out crowd at “The Swamp.” But if either (or both) can move the ball, things should pick up.

No matter who’s under center, the defensive talent and toughness A&M puts up in their first season under Mike Elko will be far greater than what the Gators endured against Samford, but probably not in the league of the Hurricanes. UM, with its ferocious front and all-around speed, held UF to just 261 yards of total offense. On the same day the Hurricanes overwhelmed the Gators, the Aggies were routed 23-13 at home by then-No. 6 Notre Dame and were pounded by the Fighting Irish for 198 rushing yards and 356 total.

A&M, like UF, bounced back from a lesser opponent last week, beating McNeese State 52-10 and throwing for 529 yards of total offense and 29 first downs. Sophomore quarterback Connor Weigman, after just 12 of 30 with two interceptions and no TDs against Notre Dame, was 11 of 14 for 120 and two scores with no turnovers. The Aggies did most of their offensive damage by rushing 38 times for 338 yards and five scores.

On paper, the two teams appear to be fairly evenly matched (especially when you factor in ND’s loss to Northern Illinois last week), and since the Aggies have lost 10 straight road games, it could come down to which quarterback plays better.

And which UF quarterback is playing.

The broadcast begins at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, with the crew of Joe Tessitore on play-by-play, former UF quarterback Jesse Palmer providing analysis and Katie George on the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network broadcast from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m., eventually making way for Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and Tate Casey from the field on the call. For GSN stations, click here . A national ESPN broadcast with Marc Kestecher and Kelly Stouffer is also on the dial.

The game will be replayed Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. and Wednesday at 1:00 a.m. on SEC Network.

Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for in-game commentary and analysis. FloridaGators.com will have full post-game coverage late Saturday night and follow-up coverage on Sunday as well.