Quarterback Adam Dingwell appears on Law & Order: SVU.

Among Aztecs fans, it has become kind of cool to bash Ryan Lindley.

He’s that band you used to kind of like until they got all hugely popular and you started hearing their songs at the mall. Remember how hipsters were alright with Coldplay 10 years ago back when they were kind of Radioheady, but now they view liking them in the same light as driving a Dodge Caravan to Barbecues Galore? Lindley is totally the Chris Martin of mediocre Mountain West Conference football teams.

Nowadays, those of us who defend Lindley have to have to deal with the snarky judgmental sarcasm.

Oh. You’re a fan of Lindley? That’s pretty cool. I liked him too. In, like, 2009.

Well, blood is now in the water for the Lindley haters, as the senior tweaked his foot at the end of the Wyoming loss and will apparently have to play through some pain on Saturday against New Mexico. Many now think the time has come to play backup Adam Dingwell, who is still signed to an indie label so you’ve probably never heard of him.

And you know what? This unapologetic Lindley supporter is inclined to agree.

Just for different reasons.

It comes down to this: Why make one of your prized players hobble around in the pocket with no ability to escape a pass rush (less than usual, even) when it’s not necessary? New Mexico is 0-8. It has lost five games, including its past three, by at least 42 points. The Lobos are — to use technical football language — not good.

Rocky Long’s staff could hold up placards of Brady Hoke, with a speech bubble that says “HILLMAN LEFT,” then run Ronnie Hillman to the left, and he’d still pick up 12 yards. Then they can hold up one of Al Borges saying “HILLMAN RIGHT,” do that and pick up another nine. Making Lindley grind it out to beat these stiffs is like racing your slightly injured thoroughbred against a geriatric donkey just for the hell of it. Why risk it?

Besides, the Aztecs might want Dingwell to be the starting quarterback next season. Or they might not. This kind of seems like the perfect opportunity to give the kid some seasoning and start drawing those conclusions — while still winning by 30 in the process.

Now, I understand that Lindley probably has to start. He has to prove to his tough, manly football coach that he is a tough, manly football player who plays injured in tough, manly football games. I get that.

But if the Aztecs get an early lead or if Lindley clearly can’t move well enough to protect himself? Dingwell better be warming faster up than a left-handed reliever in Tony LaRussa’s bullpen.

In short: The time to play Dingwell has arrived.

What the crap? When did I put these skinny jeans on? I don’t even own skinny jeans …

Anyway, here’s a poll: