It's ok for us to speculate but the team can't think that way. Their first priority is winning every game. If they start thinking about injuries, they lose their edge and potentially play scared. Let's hang 40+ on Rutgers and Indiana in the first half so Shea can sit most of the 2nd half. However we can't predict weather which can be pretty bad in the north in November at times. We could get into a squeaker because of that. Hopefully this magical season continues and we have comfortable wins the next 2 weeks that allow Peters and Milton to get a lot of snaps.

We get it.  But, if something happened to Shea, even if Mcaffrey were healthy wouldn't have been great. We still have capable QBs in Peters and Milton...

For the Indiana and the Rutgers games I think we play Shea for the first half then throw in peters and Max W...only if we are up big.

Milton has only played in one game, he can still play 3 more and keep his redshirt. 

Indiana has the #70 rushing defense to S&P+, Rutgers has the #117 rushing defense. Indiana has the #102 pass defense and is 86th in havoc rate, Rutgers is #79 and 95th.

We should be able to run the ball on both teams pretty easily and rely on that to win us both games without putting Shea in harms way or much on tape. That being said neither team has good pass D's or pass rushes so we should be able to pass without too much worry of Shea being under pressure. All it takes is one bad hit though.

My hope for the next two weeks is run the ball down their throats in the first half. Get a nice lead in each game mostly running the backs with some Shea runs and passes as necessary to keep the D honest. When we do pass, some play action deep shots with an extra back or TE in to keep Shea safe should work. Rutgers and Indiana will have to crowd the box to keep us from running down their throats and when they do that our WRs should be able to handle their CBs one on one outside and beat them for some big plays.

Assuming the D plays as expected, get a nice 3 score lead and pull Shea midway through the third. Let Peters play and open up the playbook a little to let him get some passes in and work done before OSU. And if it's a big enough lead, let Joe play.

I'd like to see Brandon Peters get some PT in prep as the #2 just in case.   If Peters doesn't play well,  Milton can get some reps against Indiana, assuming it isn't close.   Speights not having a great year with UCLA, but he's playing.   It'd be nice for Peters to have some success elsewhere a la Joe Burrow's and LSU.  

It will be interesting to see if the coaches play Milton or Peters.

Both games will look a lot like the first drive against PSU.  Hand off and grind it out.  When the outcome is certain let Peters play like it's 0-0.  I actually think he'll do well.

I would hope Peters and Milton both get as many snaps as possible over the next two games, especially in the game this week, as it is a game on the road, like the game in Columbus will be. Even as early as the second quarter for some drives or snaps.

Shea has to be and stay healthy against tOSU.

[double post, for some reason, so deleted second one]

OP, this isn't a diary. I think it's closer to a long-winded opinion post that would've fit in nicely with the comments on yesterday's offense.

Ultra Bold prediction: if we win the NC it will be with Milton at the helm. For this reason alone, I am not worried. We have depth still.

(note, this is not a knock against anyone, just a gut feeling from what history has shown and the effect this has on opponent's scouting ability/preparation; Milton also has the strongest arm on the team. I'm confident his technique and timing/cadence have continued to progress well)

Rutgers isn't any better this year than they were last year.  Brandon Peters beat them then and is capable of doing so now.

Do what the NFL does for 3rd preseason (assuming it’s over at half). Have the starters play the entire first half and then the first drive or two in second half. 

They have to still get used to getting back in flow after halftime 

So I'll ask a couple Qs that aren't pleasant ones but I'll take the negs if that's what it comes down to.

1) Has anyone heard of Peters looking to transfer? Seems like it's been an assumption.

2) If so, should Milton be given the shot the next few weeks instead?

I'd imagine it'll be Peters with the assumption that he hasn't made a decision (or any formal indications that he would decide) to xfer. But it'll be frustrating to see a guy get some serious snaps in mop up duty the next 2 weeks and perhaps some time the following 2 weeks if Shea gets hurt, all while being the solid #2 for the next two months just to see him xfer next year. I'm not opposed to the xfer rules these days but if Shea goes to the draft and Peters xfers Michigan goes from very deep to a collarbone injured McCaffery who's missed 2 months of practice, a raw Milton and a true FR.

Shea should play until the outcome is a foregone conclusion.  That's not a given for either of our next two games.  We have a solid stable of QBs right now.  I trust Peters to game manage but not terrorize defenses like McCaffrey did vs. Wisconsin.

Not to sidetrack this discussion but...........wtf is up with Nordin?  IMO we should practice field goals in Piscataway and not two point conversions.  Dude needs to build some confidence.  Right now, my brain is going to 1973 when we could not complete a field goal to win it.  Harbaugh's guarantee game was won by a field goal.  Field goals have meant a lot in The Game for at least the last 45 years.  

WIN THE GAME. 1st Rutgers, then Indiana.... then the game under the toilet seat.   

Just win.