Badger Bits: Stave Taking Majority Of First-Team Reps

A day after an updated depth chart revealed quarterbacks Danny O'Brien and Joel Stave as co-starters, there's reason to believe head coach Bret Bielema is planning to start Stave against UTEP on Saturday.

An article by Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Joel Stave took the majority of first-team snaps in practice Tuesday, as O'Brien worked primarily with the second-team. Potrykus didn't reveal his sources of this information, but said several sources confirmed the update on the quarterback situation.

I think it's fair to say the majority of us expected O'Brien to at least retain his job for this week, because despite his struggles the past two weeks, the offensive line and receiving corps have been a mess and O'Brien still possesses much more experience than Stave. It should first be said that Stave has NOT been named the starter for Saturday, but if Potrykus' report is true, it appears the redshirt freshman will take over under center.

If Stave ultimately starts on Saturday, Bielema's odd moves (listing co-starters at QB, not making QB's available to media this week) start to make more sense. There would be lots of media attention on the Badgers already giving up on O'Brien this early in the season and Stave would be in the spotlight all week. This way, it's a guessing game for the media as quarterbacks and rest of the team can prepare for UTEP with less distractions.

Wednesday's Links:

Jared Abbrederis is a go for Saturday. After suffering a concussion in the Oregon State game, he has cleared medical tests and is ready to return to action.

Wisconsin locked up another major defensive line recruit Tuesday in Craig Evans of Sun Prairie.

Tom Oates writes why the Badgers' defense needs to be stellar for UW to win games.

UTEP head coach Mike Price is used to having his back up against the wall.

The Badgers have not just struggled offensively, but the defense has failed to force a turnover three games into the season as well.

Ohio State's Braxton Miller remains one of the last B1G players with a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman.