Coronavirus: Wisconsin-Northwestern Big Ten football November 7 game moved from Wrigley Field
Northwestern was to host Wisconsin in a Big Ten football game on Nov. 7 at Wrigley Field, but the coronavirus has changed that.
Wrigley Field is of course home to Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, but it also used to house college football and NFL games, including the Chicago Bears from 1921-70 and five NFL championship games. It was set to host a Northwestern Big Ten "home" game this season on Nov. 7 against Wisconsin, but the coronavirus has changed those plans. No point in having a neutral-site game during a pandemic if fans aren't likely to attend. Presumably, it will be moved to the Northwestern campus.
"This is a disappointing conclusion to reach, but absolutely the right one in our current environment," said Northwestern AD Jim Phillips in a statement. "The uncertainty of football and baseball schedules, and the possibility of limited attendance, made this an easy choice to make for our student-athletes and fans. We're grateful for our outstanding partners from the Cubs, and look forward to bringing the passion and pageantry of college football gameday to the city's north side when we can do so safely and securely with a packed house."
Wrigley is quite small and had not been very conducive to hosting football, but recent $750 million renovations at the park included the installation of special seats and part of the home dugout that can be removed for football.
Northwestern last played at Wrigley in 2010 and lost to Illinois 48-27. That game was supposed to be played with the field oriented from right field to the third-base line (east to west), but the right-field wall was way to close to the end line. So, the teams played the game going just one direction: west. The schools switched sides when possession changed.
Wisconsin has won three of the past four in this series, including 24-15 at home last year when the Badgers failed to cover a 23.5-point spread. Northwestern has covered three in a row and five of the past six vs. UW. Both are usually good defensive teams, so no surprise the Under is 6-1 in the past seven.
The Badgers are defending Big Ten West champions and are +750 fourth-favorites on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win the conference title game this season. They have to replace record-setting running back Jonathan Taylor, the two-time Doak Walker Award winner. He was a second-round pick of the Colts.
Northwestern, off a disastrous 3-9 campaign, is +5000 to win the Big Ten title. Coach Pat Fitzgerald could be on a hot seat in 2020. Win totals should be out soon at the book, but Wisconsin is projected to be set at 9.5 and Northwestern 5.5.
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