Wisconsin's football team has paused all team-related activities for at least seven days because of an increased number of COVID-19 cases, causing the No. 9 Badgers' game against Nebraska on Saturday to be canceled.
The game will not be rescheduled.
The Wisconsin football program now has 16 active cases of COVID-19 after two additional staff members and one student-athlete tested positive since late Wednesday.
Even though Wisconsin did not reach the Big Ten "red/red" level with its team and population positivity rates that automatically triggers a seven-day pause in team activities, the decision to pause was made jointly by athletic director Barry Alvarez and chancellor Rebecca Blank after the recent rise in positive tests.
Big Ten protocol states that teams that reach the "orange/red" area of testing may "consider viability of continuing with scheduled competition."
Big Ten athletic directors unanimously voted that if a school determines it cannot play because of test positivity rates within the team population, the game will be declared a no contest, not a forfeit. And if those rates are outside of the "red/red" category, a school's president or chancellor, athletic director and other leaders may work with medical and public health authorities -- in addition to the Big Ten office -- to determine whether a game should be canceled or any other adjustments.
The Big Ten requires teams to play at least six games to qualify for the division championship, unless the average number of games by all league teams drops below six. In that case, teams must play no less than two fewer games than the average number by all teams to be considered for the division championship.
The Big Ten has nixed a proposed deal that would have allowed Nebraska to replace its canceled game Saturday against Wisconsin with a game against FCS foe Chattanooga.