Wisconsin will start its 2026 season against a likely playoff team, and the national media is not giving the Badgers much of a chance.
Notre Dame will visit Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on September 6, with the Badgers being heavy underdogs following a terrible 4-8 record. CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford provided his game views, and it’s safe to say that he is not optimistic about Wisconsin’s prospects.
This being one of the Fighting Irish’s most difficult games of the season demonstrates how beneficial Notre Dame’s trip to the CFP will be this autumn. Wisconsin is not where it wants to be as a program under Luke Fickell, a coach who is under pressure from his administration and backers after two consecutive losing seasons. Since leaving Cincinnati as one of the country’s fastest-rising coaches, he has a 17-21 overall record. And what does Notre Dame have to do to secure a home game to kick off the season? This is the sixth year in a row that the Fighting Irish have begun away from South Bend. It doesn’t matter. We anticipate Notre Dame will control most of its schedule. Prediction: Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 10.
Badgers have little chance against Notre Dame.
Head coach Luke Fickell is in a crucial year with Wisconsin, and his leash is probably as short as it possibly could be. Anything less than a bowl participation would be yet another big defeat for the Badgers, and the institution is almost certain to move on. So, while opening against the Fighting Irish might get the season off to a good start, it might also put the Badgers in a pit right away.
Despite having ‘home-field’ advantage, the early odds list the Badgers as 16. 5-point underdogs to Notre Dame, and CBS anticipates that things will get even worse. Despite the defeat, the schedule is much more palatable in 2026 than it was in 2025. Wisconsin will avoid Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, and Oregon this season, yet might still achieve a seven or eight-win season despite a probable setback to the Irish.
So, while no one is giving the Badgers a chance against Notre Dame, the rest of the schedule gets considerably simpler after week one. Things might get unpleasant at Lambeau, but the season is extended, and Wisconsin will not have to face the top four teams in the conference.
