After opening the past two seasons with heavyweight matchups against Texas A&M and Miami, Notre Dame gets a more manageable start to the 2026 campaign - at least on paper - with a Week 1 showdown against Wisconsin. And if the early betting lines are any indication, the Irish are expected to hit the ground running. FanDuel Sportsbook has Marcus Freeman’s squad as 19.5-point favorites, a number that speaks volumes about the current state of both programs.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about Notre Dame being good - it’s about two teams trending in very different directions.
The Irish come into the season riding a 10-game win streak, fueled in part by the sting of being left out of the College Football Playoff and opting out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. That decision, controversial or not, has kept the focus firmly on 2026. And now, the team is locked in, with what feels like a chip on its shoulder and a clear mission: prove they belong among college football’s elite.
At the center of that mission is CJ Carr, who becomes the first returning starting quarterback under Marcus Freeman. That kind of continuity under center is huge - especially for a program that’s been searching for long-term stability at the position in recent years.
Carr had an impressive freshman campaign, and the buzz around him heading into this season is real. He’s already drawing early Heisman talk, and with good reason.
His poise, arm talent, and command of the offense give Notre Dame a legitimate star to build around.
There are some questions, of course. The Irish will be without running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, both of whom played key roles in the offense last season.
But that could actually lead to more of the offense running through Carr - especially early in the season. Week 1 may turn into a showcase for just how much he’s grown, and how much of the playbook the coaching staff is willing to put in his hands.
On the other side, Wisconsin enters the 2026 season looking for answers. After a disappointing 4-8 finish last year, the pressure is mounting on head coach Luke Fickell.
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Badgers have struggled to find their footing under his leadership. The offense, once promised to be more dynamic and modernized, hasn’t delivered.
And now, they’re breaking in a new quarterback, hoping for a spark that could reignite a program that’s fallen short of expectations.
Wisconsin’s administration has pledged more resources to help turn things around, but that’s a long-term play. In the short term, they’re staring down a Week 1 matchup against a surging Notre Dame team with a star quarterback, a top-tier defense, and something to prove.
So yes, a 19.5-point spread might feel like a slap in the face to some Wisconsin fans. But based on where these two programs are right now, it’s not hard to see why the line is what it is.
Notre Dame is entering the season with momentum, stability, and high expectations. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is looking for a reset - and they’ll have to find it fast if they want to avoid getting steamrolled out of the gate.
For the Irish, this isn’t just a season opener. It’s the first step in what they hope is a redemption tour. And if CJ Carr comes out firing, it could be a long afternoon for the Badgers.