In Reply to: I'm Bored. Since We Haven't Heard Boo About Nico, Here's A Subliminal posted by NYBruin on October 11, 2026 at 15:39:12
If Nico is healthy, gotta go with him. He's an ok QB that runs well. He has led the team, and sacrificed his body for the team. And, the running gives us an added dimension.
Also, we really have no idea what we have with Diffenbach. Imo, it would be crazy to say bench your starter for a guy that was a decoy in the pistol, did a nice scramble, and hit a wiiide open guy for a TD. Diff may be a great QB, but we have no idea.
Addressing other comments on the page, I think I was the first, loudest, criticizer of Nico's demeanor after he was hurt. It may be that he was too injured to express any support, encouragement of the team, or positive emotion. That's pretty damn hurt. But, ok. At the beginning of this season he again said that his plan was to go pro after this season. That's not looking likely. Getting injured, and having your long-term plans put on hold has to be difficult for a young man to handle. Maybe seeing your younger brother passed over for a guy whose name a lot of people can't spell (and not because it's particularly difficult) adds to the bad feeling.
I agree, dude has probably been playing hurt most of the season. He takes shots, leaves the game, returns, every week. Either he's a wussy, the way Rosen seemed to be ("that hurt!") or he's tough as nails. My money says it's the latter.
That had to be rough for his family. I LOVED it when the mom yelled "Let's go Madden!" That is a great attitude. It had to be very tough to have the double rug pulled out from under you with your son getting knocked out of the game and your other surprisingly (shockingly?) passed over. Better times are ahead for the Iamaleava family.
Back to Nico. If healthy, he should start. But, if he's missing passes, throwing multiple picks, my leash would be short. I don't think that will happen. Without checking the stats, Oregon probably has the best defense we'll face until sc. And, that's the toughest environment we'll play in until we go to Michigan.
If Nico is too injured to play. The QB competition this week will be wild. Diff said he didn't know he was the backup until they told him to go in. Chez said it was based on who had the better week. Would Madden have a chance to earn the start? He hasn't looked the part in his scant minutes.