Big Ten Conference announces its forfeiture policy

August 23, 2021

(Statement from the Big Ten Conference offices)

ROSEMONT, Ill. – In collaboration and communication with the Big Ten Conference Athletic Directors, Chancellors and Presidents, the Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Sports Medicine Committee – effective today – the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is unable to play a conference contest due to COVID-19, that contest shall be declared a forfeit and will not be rescheduled. That contest shall be considered a loss for the team impacted by COVID-19 and a win for its opponent in the conference standings. If both of the two competing teams are unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day on which it is scheduled, the competition shall be considered a “no contest.”

2021-22 BIG TEN CONFERENCE FORFEITURE POLICY

Interim Guidance for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) 

(Adopted and effective from 8/20/21 until rescinded by the Administrators Council.)

  1. Competition Involving Two Teams.  If a team is unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day on which it is scheduled, the competition shall be considered a forfeit by the team unable to participate and shall not be rescheduled.  In such case, the team unable to participate shall be assessed a “loss,” its opponent a “win,” and Conference standings shall be adjusted accordingly.
  2. Competition Involving Two Teams.  If both of the two competing teams are unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day on which it is scheduled, and is unable to be rescheduled, the competition shall be considered a “no contest.”
  3. Competition Involving Three or More Teams.  If a team is unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and team performance in the competition impacts Conference standings, a team unable to participate due to COVID-19 will be considered to have forfeited the competition.  In such case, a team unable to participate shall be assessed a “loss,” each of its opponents a “win,” and Conference standings shall be adjusted accordingly.  If team performance in the competition does not impact Conference standings and/or the involved sport is one in which there are no Conference standings, no further action shall be taken.

Podcasts

549 Illini Portal Kombat Wins with Steve Sturm

Listen

548 Illini Strangle Penn State 73-65

Listen

1.2.26 - Music City Champs, Basketball Rolling & Why the SEC is Overrated

Listen

547 Portal Kombat Day 1 & CFP Thoughts

Listen

546 - Illini Beat Tennessee in Music City Bowl

Listen

545 - Illini Beat Tennessee in Music City Bowl

Listen

544 - Illini Smash Southern 90-55

Listen

543 Illini Football Preview Tennessee Volunteers Part II

Listen

542 IlliniGuys 2025 Illini Year in Review

Listen

541 Illini Football Preview - Tennessee Volunteers

Listen

12.26.25 - Music City Bowl, Braggin' Rights Massacre & CFP Predictions

Listen

540 The Illini Execute the Braggin' Rights Massacre

Listen

12.19.25 - Illini FB in Music City Bowl, BB December Miscues & CFP Predictions

Listen

539 Remembering Mike White with Chris White & David Williams

Listen

538 - Illini Upset 83-80 by Nebraska

Listen