Injuries?

[Falconwriter]

If we beat Wisconsin it will be one of the best wins the program has ever had. Sitting players seems defeatist. If the game gets away from us and you want to get players more rest go for it. But sitting players that would otherwise play, I don't want to follow a team that does that.

If you've got guys who you know are going to probably aggravate injuries and/or possibly extend time for them to be able to play at 100 percent again -- you don't play them in what is essentially a meaningless non-conference game. You let them heal.

Especially if BG is as thin as some are saying at certain positions.

Would beating Wisconsin be a big deal? Probably. But I'd say repeating as MAC champions would be bigger; and might even be better for recruiting for a longer period of time.

Bottom line for me, at least: I'd much rather win the MAC again than get a win against Wisconsin (if those are my choices). BG went 20 years between titles; I'd like to see them make up for that by stringing together a few titles if at all possible.

Finally, I don't see sitting guys for this game as "defeatist". It's just smart. BG isn't in the race for an at-large BCS berth or anything else of national significance. So the biggest prize left for them to get is the MAC title. If BG were unbeaten and a win against Wisconsin might get them into a BCS bowl...yes, I'd take the risk at this point.

That's not the case.

[hammb]

Same old story.

I see beating Wisconsin as a much larger accomplishment than winning the Mac. I'll always prefer winning those games over Mac titles. And I disagree entirely with the notion that winning the Mac does more for recruiting than wins over big ten teams. Especially of the caliber of Wisconsin.

[kdog27]

I fully expect them to play to win this game. Anything less would be very disappointing to me. I want to see how this offense looks against a traditionally sound defense.

Fine with me if we end up getting blown out, but they better be all in at kickoff.

[BGSU33]

I want us to "play to win" every game that we play. Why even schedule and compete in a game if you don't want to try and win it. That said, if we have some guys who are injured and could be ready for UMass if they didn't play at Wisconsin, I'm okay with that.

[Rollo83]

In his presser today, Coach Babers said we had lost another starter on the defensive side of the ball for this game. He said he wasn't at liberty to say who that is.

I don't think he was talking about Colvin was he? I am guessing Hunter maybe? Anybody know for sure?

[kdog27]

Ward I'm pretty sure.

[jpfalcon09]

Ward is likely out and Hunter is going to play with a wrist brace. Looks like either Sanford or Gourdine will start.

[AyZiggy97]

When did Ward get hurt? Didn't he recover the Indiana fumble?

The depth chart this week has Taylor Royster starting again at defensive tackle. I saw Jahlil-Nashid Croley limp off last week.

[kdog27]

I think that was when he got hurt. Got hit pretty hard there on his arm.

[able1]

He was already wearing the cast on that play. Babers said after the game that one guy came out with a broken finger, got it patched up and went back in. I assumed that was Ward and that was the reason he might sit out. Maybe he wasn't the one with the broken finger or maybe he was but received another injury that is keeping him out. With the way he won't discuss injuries, that leaves us to assume and try and figure things out ourselves. I understand why, but it's a bit frustrating as a fan.

[mscarn]

Winning the MAC is more important IMHO but still...

[Flipper]

Dieter and Ward will both sit...looks like chance for Coby and Gourdine to step up. Coby was a highly regarded WR in HS who hasn't established himself yet and Gourdine saw time last year as a true frosh and was very impressive.

We can win this game...

[able1]

I remember picturing Coby as possibly being the next Charles Sharon type after reading his profiles when he signed. I just remember everyone talking about how fast he is. Hoping he can have a good year.

[BGSU33]

Babers said we had another injured defensive player but didn't say who. Osborne was hurt on a special teams play so I don't know if that's who he was referring to or not.

[jpfalcon09]

Gonna be hard to keep guys healthy this year if the offense can't get going. Wisconsin had the ball for almost 37 minutes and ran 78 plays. Its no wonder by halftime the defense was running on fumes.