Expectations for Notre Dame Football in Week 1 vs Wisconsin

Plenty has been said about Notre Dame's schedule in 2026, as despite having the likes of BYU and Miami on it, seemingly lacks much of a challenge in the first half of the year.

To it's credit, when a series with Wisconsin was announced back in 2017, the Badgers were coming off a run where they had six double-digit win seasons in an eight-year span.

That's a far cry from this Wisconsin outfit that has won 10 games in a year just twice since, none of which have come since 2019.

That said, traveling to Lambeau Field where plenty of Badgers fans should be in attendance won't be a cakewalk for Notre Dame, as Wisconsin will throw out one of the best defensive position groups that the Irish will likely see all season.

Notre Dame's Biggest Advantage Against Wisconsin

Notre Dame's defense is expected to be in the conversation as the best in the country in 2026, and Wisconsin's offense is coming off a season to forget.

The Badgers brought in a truckload of transfers (33 in total) to try and help out a team that scored more than 17 points just twice all of last season.

Colton Joseph runs the ball for Old Dominion against Virginia Tech in 202 — Sep 13, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Old Dominion Monarchs quarterback Colton Joseph (1) runs the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Isaiah Brown-Murray (9) pursues during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wisconsin's offense should be improved but it's hard to imagine it'll be firing anywhere near on all cylinders in Week 1.

Colton Joseph brings a dual threat skill set to the quarterback position after transferring in from Old Dominion, where he passed for over 2,600 yards and rushed for just over 1,000 yards last year.

Defenses tend to be clicking earlier in the season than offenses for the most part, and I expect Notre Dame's defense to keep Wisconsin in check for the vast majority of the night.

Wisconsin's Star Linebackers Could Cause Problems for Notre Dame

Notre Dame is expected to have one of the best offensive lines in the country in 2026, but it will face one of the best linebacking groups in the country out of the gate.

Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa were Wisconsin's two leading tacklers last season despite both being freshmen and not starting early in the year.

For a Notre Dame offense that has a bit of a reworked offensive line, although the expectations are high, this unit will call for things to perhaps have to be in a better place than is normally expected for an opener.

Couple that with a Notre Dame running back room that has to replace both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and I expect the Fighting Irish to struggle to get the run game going early.

CJ Carr's First Chance to Make Heisman Trophy Statement

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr enters the year as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, something no Fighting Irish player has done since Tim Brown in 1987.

Carr will have a chance to make an early impression as he plays Sunday night of Labor Day weekend, with only one game opposite him.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr in a 2025 game against Pittsburg — Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Like against Miami in last season's opener, I expect the run game to be slow to get going and for Carr to kickstart the Notre Dame offense.

A couple of touchdown passes and a couple-hundred yards thrown for and his first impression of the 2026 season is a strong one.

Nick Shepkowski's Week 1 Notre Dame vs Wisconsin Prediction

Despite a slow start on offense, I fully expect Notre Dame's defense to control Wisconsin and never really have this game feeling much in jeopardy.

It might not be a rout on the scoreboard that some hope for (the spread is roughly three touchdowns), but I don't expect Notre Dame to have to escape Lambeau Field with a victory by any means.

Nick Shepkowski's Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Wisconsin 13

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