Well... this certainly sounds like you read my post and none of the others... its ok. I wasn't using injuries as an excuse, simply saying both teams were missing guys.If players are out and haven't even played this year then they aren't starters, heck they're not even playing at all. EVERY team has guys who are in this situation including IU (probably our best LB) and it happens every year. And even if you don't accept this you must consider the opposing team who is in the same situation with their injured players. And finally who's to say some of those players would have gotten beat out as #1 on depth chart? I'm going to bet you don't even know the Illinois players who were out.
As for your other point, I can call those guys starters as they are #1 on the depth chart the coaches released. I'm not just making their title up
Looking forward to the Purdue iu game this year. Should he a good one!