B5Q Blogopean Union: ok, here’s what we know about the Wisconsin/Nebraska game

Good morning! This is going to be a daily(ish) post that discusses the goings on of the rest of the Big Ten Conference, and the country as needed. Much like the European Union, the Big Ten is a loosely confederated group of entities that sometimes have the same goals (like free movement of people between countries or not winning national titles in football or basketball) and sometimes accept new members that they later regret (Estonia or Rutgers).

We hope that you will use this post to comment on things happening around the conference and also as a sort of daily open thread to discuss breaking news or argue about Spotted Cow (which we NO LONGER DO).

• First: Wisconsin Badgers QB Graham Mertz’s PCR test came back positive so he will be out for a mandatory 21 days, per the Big Ten’s COVID-19 protocols. It is good to hear that he is “feeling fine” and we hope that he is able to recover and not suffer any long term health consequences.

• Second: the Big Ten guidelines also state this:

Potrykus says in his post on the potential cancellation of the game that the Badgers are close to the 5% number. As some added background Lance Vesser at WKOW tweeted “Public Health Madison and Dane County confirmed today that since June, 56 Badgers players and 4 staff members have tested positive.”

• Third: it would seem as though the Badgers are just trying to nip this in the bud right now and get everyone a PCR test to see where the team’s positivity rate is.

• If the game is not played it is not a forfeit but a “no-contest” and it should be noted that Nebraska has not been informed of any changes to the game yet.

• As far as when Mertz could return and why the B1G has a longer quarantine than other conferences?

• With Jack Coan already being out with a foot injury, Mertz out with COVID-19 and third stringer Chase Wolf also potentially out with the virus...the Badgers will potentially turn to fourth string QB Danny Vanden Boom, who compares favorably to Arizona Cardinals starter Kyler Murray.

• There was a lot of Nate Tice discourse on the timeline yesterday as the Badgers kept looking further and further down the depth chart for a QB.

Even our old friend Bret Bielema chimed in!

• Mertz keeps winning accolades for his Week 1 performance against Illinois.

• Seven Wisconsin men’s hockey recruits were given grades by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft. The only “A” rated prospect in the bunch is defenseman Corson Ceulemans, who will play for the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. An “A” grade means he’s a first round prospect. Here is the full list of every prospect rating if you’re into that sort of thing. Michigan looks like they’ve been doing a bang up job on the recruiting trail for what it’s worth.
• Penn State running back Noah Cain is out for the season. With Journey Brown also out, the Lions are on to their third string RB.
• Huskers fans are taking the potential cancellation of the game in stride and reasonably. Wait.
• SOMEONE GET PURDUE PETE A WATER AND SOME IBUPROFEN!
• Northwestern has a new offense. Here’s what Inside NU has noticed so far.
• Ryan Day says it’s ok if Justin Fields gets sacked and, quite frankly, we agree.
• Maize N Brew talks about how crazy it can be for a team during a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Indiana will be trotting out new alternate uniforms later this year and they are certainly, uh, something.
• Mel Tucker wouldn’t say “Michigan” when talking about MSU’s rival and opponent this weekend during his press conference so I’m sure the Spartans will win by 30.