The Wisconsin Badgers football team will open the 2026 season in a highly-anticipated matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Green Bay on Sunday. The teams will meet for the first time since 2021, when Notre Dame won 41-13 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The match-up was originally scheduled for 2020 as a part of a neutral-site series but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fighting Irish enter the season ranked No. 4 nationally after finishing 10-2 last year, only losing to the University of Miami and Texas A&M University. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is coming off of a 4-8 season and enters the year looking for a turnaround under head coach Luke Fickell.
While Notre Dame enters with higher national expectations, Wisconsin has the home-field-like benefit of playing in front of a large crowd at Lambeau Field. Having Wisconsin fans behind them in their home state could provide a boost early on as they look to establish momentum.
The Badgers played once before at Lambeau when they had a historic win over No. 5 Louisiana State University in 2016. The unranked Badgers won 16-14, and they impressively shut out the Tigers’ offense in the first half. The massive upset set the tone for a 11-3 season that ended with a Cotton Bowl victory.
The season opener will give the Badgers an outlook of where the team will be headed this year, and if the training and roster changes made during the offseason can translate onto the field.
Notre Dame returns 17 starters to their roster, including quarterback CJ Carr.
Carr is entering his second year after finishing last season with 2,741 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. His strong pocket presence and throwing accuracy will be an early challenge for the Badger defense.
Wisconsin’s defense could be its best chance to stay in the game
Wisconsin linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano will lead the middle of the defense alongside Charles Perkins and Sebastian Cheeks. Javan Robinson, Jai’Mier Scott and Bryce West will lead the cornerback room with Cai Bates competing for a starting spot.
For the Badger offense, all eyes will be on quarterback Colton Joseph, who will play his first game in red and white. Joseph was officially named QB1 for the Badgers, with QB2 still undecided, according to Fickell. The Old Dominion transfer will face the No. 2-ranked defense, led by star cornerback Leonard Moore — another highly anticipated player.
Joseph will have returner Eugene Hilton Jr., Oklahoma State University transfer Shamar Rigby and University of Minnesota transfer Malachi Coleman as top wide receiver options.
Running back Abu Sama III was confirmed by Fickell to serve as the team’s RB1. He will need to navigate between tackles and establish the run game early on. Behind Sama will be returner Darrion Dupree, who finished as the Badgers' leading rusher.
In a media conference on Monday, Fickell provided an update on projected starting offensive lineman Kevin Heywood and Emerson Mandell. The duo had been dealing with injuries throughout camp, and both will be a “game-time decision,” Fickell said.
Avoiding turnovers will also be critical. Wisconsin cannot afford to give Notre Dame short fields, especially against an Irish offense with experience to capitalize on those opportunities.
Playing at Lambeau Field carries added significance for the team and for fans. The pressure will be on the players to start the season on a high note and keep Badger fans in the crowd.
Staff Writer
