Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Primer: No. 4 Irish Open 2026 at Lambeau Field

With the season ending in November and the Irish being left out of the playoffs, the offseason has felt endless for Notre Dame football. The Fighting Irish always have high expectations heading into each season, but this year feels different. Marcus Freeman returns a majority of the starters from a 10-2 team, a great coaching staff, tremendous talent, and, most importantly, a “major chip” on everyone’s shoulders. While Notre Dame has national championship aspirations, the Wisconsin Badgers are hoping to ambush the Irish in Week 1, like they did to the #5 LSU Tigers at Lambeau in 2016.

Essential Game Info

• Game Time: Sunday, September 6th at 7:30 PM ET on NBC
• Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Matchup History: Notre Dame Football is 9-6-2 all-time against Wisconsin (Last Meeting 2021: Irish won 41 to 13)
• Odds: Notre Dame -20.5

Wisconsin Details

• Conference: Big Ten
• Head Coach: Luke Fickell
• 2025 Record: 4-8 (2-7)
• 2024 Record: 5-7 (3-6)

Weather Forecast

At the time this article was written, the current forecast calls for a 24% chance of rain with a high of 79 degrees and a low of 59.

What to Know About Wisconsin

Luke Fickell is back at Wisconsin. The Badgers’ head coach is 17-21 in his three years in Madison. A few years ago, Fickell was one of the top candidates to take over in South Bend as Notre Dame’s head coach (thank God for Marcus Freeman’s interview skills). Prior to Wisconsin, he was the interim head coach at Ohio State (2011), then took over as the head coach at Cincinnati (2017-2022), where he led the Bearcats to a victory over Notre Dame in South Bend and a College Football Playoff appearance (when it was only four teams).

Quarterback Colton Joseph leads the Badger offense. Wisconsin has named the Old Dominion transfer as its starter for the opener against the Irish. Joseph is 306 for 512 (60%) with 4,251 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and 34 sacks taken. On the ground, he has 272 carries for 1,654 yards (6.1 yards per attempt) with 24 rushing touchdowns.

What Notre Dame Has to Answer

It is finally time for Notre Dame to play football! With the Irish opting out of the prestigious Pop Tarts Bowl, Coach Freeman’s group has not played a football game since November 29th at Stanford. I find it ironic that a lot of the fan bases who complained about Notre Dame not playing in a bowl game were the same fans of universities that opted out of the NIT for basketball (Indiana cough cough).

I do not care what anyone says: I could write a book on the politics, propaganda, and business alliances that led to Notre Dame being left out of the playoffs in 2025, but that same motivation can potentially fuel this 2026 team to reach the pinnacle of college football again.

How will the Notre Dame rushing attack look in 2026? Without a doubt, the biggest departures from last season were the 1st Round NFL Draft picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Notre Dame fans will likely never see that happen again in their lifetimes.

Thankfully, Mike Denbrock’s offense has experience with Aneyas Williams. The Notre Dame running back has 58 career attempts for 443 yards (7.6 yards per carry), with 7 rushing scores. Williams has 20 receptions for 212 yards, and an unforgettable catch in the Orange Bowl. But who will be the #2 and #3 running backs this season? And can the Irish count on them in pass protection and blitz pickups?

Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has a lot of running backs in the mix, including Nolan James Jr. (#12 RB in 2025 class, per 247), Kedren Young (#4 RB in 2024 class, per 247), Javian Osborne (#15 RB in 2026 class, per 247 Sports), and Jonaz Walton (#11 RB in 2026 class, per 247 Sports). There is a plethora of talent at the tailback position in South Bend, and fans should be excited to see who can have a breakout season.

Are the Fighting Irish the best defense in the nation? After a lackluster start to the season at Miami, and at home against Texas A&M, Chris Ash turned the Notre Dame defense around during the second half of the season and dominated opponents. The Fighting Irish return almost all their starters from a season ago, and some of the best players in college football.

This defense will be vital against the Wisconsin Badgers while the new-look Notre Dame offense looks to build momentum early in the game. I expect the Irish defense to keep the Badgers in check, while the offense could be slow out of the gates.

Head-to-Head Matchups

Notre Dame Offense vs. Wisconsin Defense: The Fighting Irish offense averaged 459 yards per game last season, while the Badgers’ defense allowed 324 per matchup. Undoubtedly, Mike Denbrock still wants to establish the rushing attack for this Notre Dame offense, but this will be the most talented passing attack the Irish have seen since Brady Quinn.

With a potential NFL starting quarterback in CJ Carr and lots of weapons at the receiver position, the Badger defense won’t be able to stop both the rushing and passing attack for four quarters. Do not forget that Carr is also a mobile quarterback, and I expect him to extend drives with his legs when necessary.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Wisconsin Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense: The Badger offense totaled 253 yards per contest in 2025, while the Notre Dame defense allowed 314 per game. Certainly, past performance is not indicative of future success or failure, but it is going to be difficult for the Badgers to score against one of the best defenses in America.

Wisconsin will bring in transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, and as I referenced earlier, he has a 60% career completion percentage and has running tendencies. He is going to get worn down quickly if he is forced to run the ball every other play on Sunday.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Special Teams: Notre Dame had one of the worst kicking games in the country last season, with the inability to hold snaps and convert extra points and field goals. Coach Freeman was able to bring in Purdue transfer Spencer Porath. Last fall, Porath went 15 for 17, with his longest conversion at 53 yards.

Conversely, Wisconsin’s Gavin Lahm is a senior from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and has not attempted a kick in his career.

There is no distinct advantage this early in the year.

Advantage: Tie

Prediction: Irish Pull Away Late

Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish will start their 2026 campaign in primetime on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. In a world of stadiums being named after businesses, it is refreshing to see the Irish play a football game in a stadium named after a former Irish football player, Curly Lambeau.

I will be heading up to the game on Sunday myself, and expect it to be about a 50/50 split based on the last matchup between these schools in Chicago, geography, and Notre Dame’s expectations. Irish fans have been asked to wear navy to the game, but honestly, just be loud, even if you decide to wear green.

National titles are not won in Week 1. Last year, Indiana beat Old Dominion 27 to 14, and no one remembers that game was played. I believe Wisconsin will have a slow, methodical style of play and attempt to limit the Irish’s possessions. However, the Badgers will have a hard time moving the football against Chris Ash’s defense.

I have the Irish winning this game, but not 50 to 0, like the national media has been gaslighting Notre Dame up to before every game this season (although, I certainly hope they do). It could be a close contest in the first half as CJ Carr finds his chemistry with the receivers and new running backs solidify themselves. The Badgers will be upset-minded and trying to keep it close, while playing with pride in their backyard.

Ultimately, the talent will take over in the second half, and I predict the Irish to win by 18 points.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31 Wisconsin 13