We are now just two days away from the Wisconsin Badgers’ first game of the 2020 football season.
Although the Big Ten is starting this weekend, other conferences have played up to five games already after starting their seasons on schedule in early September. Those first five weeks in the ACC, Big 12 and SEC have not been without interruption, though, as several games have already been cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests and re-scheduled to be played in December.
This will be something to watch with the Big Ten, as due to the conference starting late it now needs to fit in eight games in as many weeks–losing the bye weeks and flexibility it had with its initial conference-only schedule.
Related: Five keys to a Wisconsin victory on Friday.
Head Coach Paul Chryst spoke to the media today before his team’s upcoming game and was asked about where the team is in terms of positive COVID-19 tests and what the conference has done to ensure the safety of its players, coaches and everybody involved.
“I’ve been proud of the way the kids are handling it,” Chryst said. “And you know, it’s a day-to-day thing…So knock on wood right now. And you just hope it stays that way.”
Schools from the SEC and other conferences have been secretive about who has tested positive to not give information to their upcoming opponent. I guess you can say that’s what Chryst achieved with his answer.
The Badger head coach was then asked what the conference has done in terms of protocol since the preseason preparation began a few weeks ago.
“I know one thing that was talked about was continuing to take all of the data and make everything data-driven. Obviously we’re one of many teams…Our first day of testing, even the testing group, it took a little bit. But it’s a great group and they’ve done a nice job. It’s part of your every day and it’s been pretty smooth procedurally. And I know the league has spent a lot of time…I’m probably on a need-to-know basis on a lot of things that are going on, right, but it’s obviously important to everyone and I’m confident that everyone has done their part. From the players’ and coaches’ end of it, it’s one more thing you do but it becomes part of your day…guys are used to it.”
More information will become available as kickoff nears, but this morning there were no significant facts to note from Chryst’s press conference in terms of COVID-19 tests within his team.
Stay tuned in to BadgersWire throughout the week as we preview Friday’s contest against Illinois and get you ready for the team’s 2020 football season.