Notre Dame put on upset watch for Week 1 showdown vs. Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers were named one of five teams that have a chance to do the unthinkable against Notre Dame.
When it comes to Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish are still upset they missed the playoffs last season. In Week 1 of the 2026 season, they get to face a Wisconsin Badgers team that's coming off a pair of horrendous seasons. That said, CBS Sports' Brad Crawford believes the Badgers are one of five teams that have a chance to do the unthinkable.
It's not like the Fighting Irish are this unbeatable powerhouse , far from it, but Badgers fans would likely all agree it's going to take a miracle for them to get the job done at Lambeau Field. "Luke Fickell still lacks a signature win during a disappointing tenure at Wisconsin, but he will have the entire summer to prepare for the Irish," Crawford wrote . He continued, "Notre Dame stumbled in last season's highly anticipated opener at Miami after reaching the national championship game the year before.
Another sluggish start would be a major blow to Freeman and his staff, given the praise the program received this offseason. " Crawford noted the discipline, weather, physicality, and environment will all be factors on Sunday, September 6, when Wisconsin returns to Lambeau Field , looking to replicate the results they had against No. 5 LSU a decade ago.
Wisconsin was listed as the team with the fourth-best chances to knock off Notre Dame. The three teams ahead of the Badgers were SMU, BYU, and Miami. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.