Badger Bits: Making A Case For O'Brien and Phillips

In nearly all competition-related or controversial topics, Bret Bielema is known to be pretty mum on the matter at hand. So as expected, he hasn't even provided the slightest hint this week at who will be the Badgers starting quarterback for the Indiana game.

I attended player interviews after practice on Tuesday, and Montee Ball even said Bielema has not officially told the team yet who is starting. However, Ball did say the team has a pretty good idea, given who's been taking the majority of the first team reps in practice.

It's sort of frustrating we even have to play the speculation game. I mean, c'mon it's not as if Indiana is fretting over whether they have to gameplan for the formidable passing attacks of Danny O'Brien or Curt Phillips. Regardless, it comes as no surprise we're still unsure of UW's new signal caller, but intriguing endorsements have been made for both Wisconsin quarterbacks.

Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal wrote an article early this morning, backing O'Brien as the new starter. I think he nicely puts how many of us want to see Phillips play because we want to see what he has left in the tank. Not to mention, it would make for a compelling story if he excels in the role. But ultimately, Oates sees O'Brien giving the Badgers the best shot to win based off his experience and clear health advantage over Phillips.

About 10 days ago, Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel didn't exactly endorse Phillips, but said why he deserves a fair shot at the position.

Personally, it's a tough call between the two. O'Brien hasn't exactly rallied the offense when he's seen the field, but he's been put in some tough spots. It'd be interesting to see how he would perform as a starter again, in an offense that has certainly progressed since the first few weeks of the season. At the same time, I'd love to see Phillips get a shot. His teammates have the utmost respect for him, and I'd like to see what he has left.

What do you think? Should O'Brien or Phillips be tabbed the starter for the Indiana game?

Wednesday's Links:

Bart Miller will likely return as Wisconsin's offensive line coach next season.

The latest rankings and bowl predictions are out for Wisconsin.

Bielema says Indiana's uptempo offense poses a challenge for the Badgers. (VIDEO)

BTN's Tom Dienhart answers the major questions surrounding the Big Ten this week. The headliner? "How Will Badger O Look Sans Stave?"

With Ohio State on a bye, Braxton Miller obviously can't help his Heisman case this week, but he still remains the Big Ten's frontrunner for the award.

Two freshman men's basketball players at Indiana have been suspended for the first nine games of the season.