Notre Dame’s first game of the season brings an immediate test for an offense trying to show it can keep rolling after a major offseason reset. The Irish head to Lambeau Field to face Wisconsin, and Sunday night will offer the first real look at the 2026 attack with CJ Carr taking over at quarterback.
There’s no easing into it. Notre Dame is walking into a matchup with a tough Badger defense and a coordinator-driven chess match that should tell a lot about where the offense stands right away. Mike Denbrock is back for year three running the system, and even with the departures of Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Malachi Fields and Eli Raridon, the Irish still bring back enough talent to make this opener a meaningful measuring stick.
A fast start sits near the top of the list. The offseason chatter around Notre Dame has centered on what happens now that some of last year’s biggest names are gone.
The offense is expected to remain effective, but the path forward is tied to Carr’s decision-making and a defense that can keep opponents in check. Sunday night is the first chance to show that the explosive plays from 2025 did not disappear with Love’s departure, and it also gives the Irish a chance to respond to the way last season ended.
Carr is the other major storyline, and he’s now clearly in charge. The Saline, Michigan native drew praise all offseason from players and coaches, including head coach Marcus Freeman, for his ability to keep the offense in winning situations.
That reputation gets tested immediately against a Wisconsin defense that ranked in the Top 25 in numerous categories in 2025. At 6-2, 215 pounds, Carr is expected to help drive the offense, and this game will show how he handles that responsibility against a strong unit.
The running back room is another place where Notre Dame has something to prove. Replacing Love has been one of the biggest questions all offseason, and anything the Irish get on the ground Sunday night will have to be earned against a Wisconsin front that was No. 15 in rush defense in yards per game and No. 12 in rush defense in touchdowns allowed last fall. Juniors Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young, along with sophomore Nolan James Jr., should all get chances to make an impact.
The matchup between Mike Denbrock and Wisconsin’s defensive leadership adds another layer. Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel will try to slow down an offense that set program records last season in yards per play, points per game and passer rating. Denbrock has built a reputation as one of the best offensive minds in the game, and this early-season duel should be a revealing one.
Up front, Notre Dame’s interior offensive line will have to handle a huge Wisconsin defensive tackle group. The Badgers’ rotation on the inside averages 324 pounds, while the Irish will lean on juniors Anthonie Knapp and Styles Prescod, both just over 300 pounds, with center Ashton Craig around 315. If Notre Dame wants any kind of ground game, that battle has to go its way.
One player worth keeping an especially close eye on is left tackle Will Black. The sophomore is stepping into one of the most important spots on the field and will draw Sebastian Cheeks, one of Wisconsin’s most experienced defenders.
Black brings the kind of size coaches dream about at 6-7 and 316 pounds, and he arrived as a former five-star recruit, but this will be his first career start. His debut comes in an NFL stadium against a strong defensive line, which makes it one of the most interesting individual matchups of the night.
In Other News...
Former Notre Dame Defender Just Entered LSUs Eligibility Fight
Junior Tuihalamakas football path has taken another turn, with the former Notre Dame defensive lineman now on LSUs roster and expected to play after being granted an extra year of eligibility by the courts. For Irish fans who remember him as part of the defensive front in South Bend, it is another reminder of how much roster movement and eligibility uncertainty continues to shape college football well beyond the transfer portal.
LSU, meanwhile, is taking a more cautious approach with two other players in a similar position. DaeQuan Wright and Zxavian Harris have also been granted a fifth season of eligibility, but they have not been added to the roster yet because of concerns about possible SEC sanctions. Both remain enrolled and could still be moved onto the roster later in the season, which leaves the Tigers waiting on a situation that could ripple through the conference. [Read more 🡒]
Kirk Herbstreit Just Gave Notre Dame Fans A Huge Reason To Dream
A preseason prediction like this always grabs attention, but it hits a little differently when it comes with real bracket detail. During ESPNs College GameDay broadcast, Kirk Herbstreit not only put Notre Dame in the mix for a serious playoff run, he slotted the Irish as a No. 3 seed on his way to a national championship picture built around wins over Texas and Georgia.
Herbstreit went even further by calling Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr his preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, a nod that adds another layer to the optimism around the program. The final step in his projection sends Notre Dame into a title game against Indiana, and while the road there is only hypothetical for now, it is exactly the kind of forecast that gives Irish fans plenty to talk about before the season even gets going. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Is In The Mix For A Recruit Fans Need To Watch
Grant Bowen has quickly become one of the more intriguing recruiting names in Illinois, and Notre Dame is right in the thick of it. The Elmhurst Immaculate Conception standout has drawn more than 30 college offers thanks to his work as both a tight end and an edge rusher, a rare combination that has made evaluators across the country take notice. 247Sports lists him as the No. 102 player nationally and the No. 6 prospect in the state, which helps explain why his recruitment has moved so fast.
Notre Dame jumped in with an offer on January 30, and the Irish offensive staff has shown strong interest since then. For a program that likes to identify versatile athletes with room to develop, Bowen fits the kind of profile that can stay on the radar deep into the cycle. His two-way ability gives schools plenty to sort through, and it should make his next steps worth following closely for Notre Dame fans. [Read more 🡒]