Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame odds, picks, prediction, betting preview, start time for Week 1 college football — SkimNews
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- Notre Dame begins the 2026 college football season as the No. 4-ranked team in the AP preseason poll and a 20.5-point favorite over Wisconsin, aiming to prove itself after being left out of the College Football Playoff despite winning 10 straight games to end 2025.
- Wisconsin hosts Notre Dame at Lambeau Field on Sept. 6, 2026, under pressure to improve after back-to-back non-bowl seasons and a 4-8 record in 2025, with new transfer quarterback Colton Joseph expected to boost an anemic offense.
- CJ Carr returns as Notre Dame's starting quarterback after ranking among the nation’s top passers in 2025 and is projected as a potential Heisman Trophy contender in 2026 despite the departure of top running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to the NFL Draft.
- Luke Fickell remains under scrutiny as Wisconsin’s head coach after failing to meet expectations since arriving from Cincinnati, where he had three 11-win seasons and a CFP appearance, but has yet to lead the Badgers to a bowl game in two full seasons.
Why it matters: Notre Dame’s high-stakes opener sets the tone for a season defined by playoff redemption, while Wisconsin’s ability to compete hinges on immediate quarterback improvement—Colton Joseph’s transfer success could determine whether Fickell retains control or faces growing pressure to deliver results in a stacked Big Ten.
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