Notre Dame has every reason to feel good about the matchup ahead, because Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is planning to challenge Leonard Moore instead of steering away from him.
During his first press conference of Notre Dame game week, Fickell said the Badgers can’t afford to “shy away” from Moore’s side of the field, according to Madison radio personality Zach Heilprin. Fickell’s explanation was simple: Wisconsin can’t just shrink the field and still expect to run its offense the way it wants.
Then he went a step further.
“He'll have a chance to prove he's the best in the country.”
Moore has already built a strong case without needing any extra invitations. Through his first two seasons at Notre Dame, he has 18 pass breakups and 7 interceptions.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 92.5 in coverage last year, which ranked No. 1 in the sport among players with more than just a handful of snaps in 2025. As a true freshman in 2024, when he filled in for an injured Benjamin Morrison, Moore still posted an 86.5 coverage grade, good for No. 14 among corners.
Fickell, though, is betting that the real proof will come against former Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph on Sunday night. Joseph didn’t complete 60% of his passes and had 10 interceptions in the Sun Belt.
The last time a Wisconsin coach took this kind of approach against Notre Dame’s top corner, it went badly. On September 25, 2021, Paul Chryst attacked Cam Hart rather than avoiding him when the teams met in Madison.
Graham Mertz finished 18 of 41 for 4 interceptions, including two picked off by Hart, who also had two interceptions of his own. Notre Dame rolled to a 41-13 win.
If Fickell is looking for a blueprint, that’s not exactly the one Irish fans will lose sleep over. Marcus Freeman, no doubt, is perfectly happy to watch Wisconsin try its luck.
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Notre Dames First Wisconsin Depth Chart Leaves One Big Line Question
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One spot remains unsettled, though, and it is the kind of opening-week question that can matter against a physical opponent like Wisconsin: right guard. Sullivan Absher and Styles Prescod are both in the mix there, leaving Notre Dame with one key decision still hanging as it finalizes the line. The defensive side of the chart offered its own clues, with starters and rotations including transfers and freshmen expected to play roles right away, but the biggest eyes will stay on that right guard battle until the Irish settle it. [Read more 🡒]
Al Golden's Bengals Reunion With Two Former Irish Stars Ended Harshly
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For Irish fans, the connection made the situation especially notable. Cross and Foskey both came through Notre Dame with Golden involved in their development, which made the reunion feel like a natural fit heading into camp. Instead, the Bengals moved in a different direction, leaving two ex-Irish defenders looking for their next opportunity just as Cincinnati settled its opening-week roster. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Suddenly Has A Real QB Question Behind CJ Carr
Notre Dame has spent the week making sure it is ready for the next layer of its quarterback depth chart, even if it would prefer not to get there. With freshman starter CJ Carr set for the upcoming game against Wisconsin, the Irish have been preparing Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard as the next options behind him, while Marcus Freeman said the team has a plan in place if Carr has to leave the game.
The larger issue is what comes after the first backup. Freeman said the program is still developing its reserve quarterbacks, which matters in a season where any injury can quickly turn a comfortable depth chart into a real problem. Second-year backup Blake Hebert is currently viewed as the fourth-string quarterback, leaving Notre Dame with a clear order for now but also a reminder of how thin the room could look if the situation behind Carr is ever tested. [Read more 🡒]