After missing scheduled games with Nebraska and Purdue, Wisconsin returned to work Monday morning and expects to face Michigan on Saturday.
"We had no new positives on Tuesday and Wednesday, which was a great sign," AD Barry Alvarez said. "That's when we started thinking Friday could be a day we could get the team together to start doing things with an eye towards having a regular practice week this week. So we were cautious on Friday and Saturday, split guys into groups, and just did conditioning. The team then got together and held its regular Monday practice this morning.
"We feel confident that we have a handle on the situation and are excited to play this week at Michigan. As we have done throughout, we will continue to monitor our testing results and base our decision on those results."
While the declining case numbers is obviously the most important news, the timing is nonetheless important for Paul Chryst's team.
Having miss two games already, Wisconsin must play in all five of its remaining scheduled games in order to maintain eligibility for the Big Ten title game. The 1-0 Badgers are currently tied with 3-0 Northwestern and 2-0 Purdue atop the Big Ten West standings. However, missing those two games leaves them in a precarious position; a COVID outbreak by any of their five remaining opponents could take the Badgers under the minimum game threshold.
The No. 13 Badgers are set to face 1-2 Michigan on ABC's Saturday Night Football from the Big House.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.