Wisconsin should do everything it can to play Purdue this week, and the Big Ten should help

After Wisconsin’s game last weekend against Nebraska was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the Badgers’ chances  of repeating as Big Ten West champions decreased, even though they haven’t lost a game.

As of Saturday morning, Wisconsin had 12 players and 10 staffers who had tested positive, putting its game against Purdue this Saturday in jeopardy. A decision is expected at some point today (Tuesday).

If the Badgers cannot play, their hopes of playing in the College Football Playoff will be extremely slim. Playing for a Big Ten title may also not happen unless Wisconsin can get back out there soon.

According to conference tiebreaker rules established before this season, a team must play at least 6 games to qualify for the Big Ten Championship Game in December. So if the No. 9 Badgers (1-0) are unable to play this weekend, they would have to play all 5 games on the schedule thereafter to qualify for the conference title game.

Not playing this weekend would leave no margin for error. What if a Wisconsin opponent in November has an outbreak and is unable to play? That is something completely outside of the Badgers’ control, and I don’t think that is a chance they want to take.

That’s why, if at all possible — meaning the COVID outbreak is under control and the Badgers haven’t had any more positive tests — Wisconsin should play, and the Big Ten should help them do so. The conference owes Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten at least that much.

That’s because these schedule predicaments are, of course, the Big Ten’s fault in the first place. If the league hadn’t panicked in August and instead been more patient and deliberate in its decision-making, it wouldn’t be trying to cram 9 games into 9 weeks. It was obvious that it would be a challenge when the schedule came out, and that’s been proven true.

So, the Big Ten should take a page out of the NFL’s playbook and move the game back a day or 2 to give Wisconsin a few extra days to prepare. Remember, Wisconsin’s facility has been closed since last Wednesday and won’t reopen until this Wednesday, meaning it will need some time to amp up and prepare. Asking the Badgers to take the field this Saturday after not doing anything for 7 days would be a challenge and not put them in the best position to  play safely.

The NFL this season has navigated this COVID-ridden season by being flexible. It has used bye weeks to its advantage — a luxury the Big Ten does not have — but it also has been flexible during game weeks, moving games from Sunday to Monday and from Thursday to Tuesday. The NFL is taking this day by day and acknowledging that nothing is set in stone. So why can’t the Big Ten do the same and allow Wisconsin and Purdue to play on Sunday or Monday, if that’s what it takes?

That would obviously inconvenience Purdue, as it would then have a shortened week to prepare for the following week’s game against Northwestern. But this is a pandemic; there are no perfect solutions. In a normal season, MAC teams usually have at least 1 game that they play on 4 days rest. NFL teams do it, too. I think the Big Ten can manage one special circumstance.

The question is whether the Big Ten would be willing to do so. It is a conference steeped in tradition, as any B1G fan will tell you, and sometimes it is reluctant to deviate from the plan. Last week when Nebraska wanted to add a non-conference game, the Big Ten of course said no. Whether you agree or disagree with the Big Ten, you have to acknowledge that’s the league’s brand, for better or worse. So adjusting the schedule slightly may not be on the radar of the league’s decision-makers, but it should be. They need to at least consider it.

From Wisconsin’s perspective, going into a game with your fourth-string QB isn’t ideal. Danny Vanden Boom would have his work cut out for him against a Purdue team that has been a pleasant surprise in the West. But the way Illinois played against Purdue this weekend should give the Badgers hope.

Illinois had 2 players test positive and lost a dozen others due to contract-tracing protocols — including starting QB Brandon Peters and his backup. When third-string QB Matt Robinson exited after the first series due to a foot injury, fourth-string QB Coran Taylor stepped in and played the rest of the game, nearly pulling off the upset before the Illini fell 31-24. Since Peters’ positive test didn’t come until Thursday, Taylor likely had no practice reps even as the backup. He managed to go 17 of 29 for 273 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs — an admirable effort considering the circumstances.

Wisconsin would have a significant advantage in regards to preparation, as Vanden Boom will have known he is the starter for nearly 2 full weeks by the time this game could theoretically be played. If Illinois can hang with Purdue when it is that short-handed, Wisconsin can, too.

I’m sure all of the healthy Badgers are itching to get back out there, and they should provided there are no more positive cases. The Big Ten should do everything in its power to help them do so safely.

Ryan O'Gara

Ryan O'Gara is the lead columnist for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RyanOGara.