I'd want the coach to just go ahead and play the backups. Just like as if they had locked up homefield advantage in the playoffs. I don't think this is very likely though, tbh.
But I'm not the coach! I'm just a fan. And in that situation, as a fan, I would prefer to see them lose. Not because I like seeing them lose, but because I think the value gained from that one loss could translate into lots of wins down the road.