The fourth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will kick off their season Sunday night in a highly anticipated matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers.
The non-conference game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time at the historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Notre Dame entering the game as a heavy 21-point favorite looks to build momentum after finishing the previous season with a 10-2 record.
The Fighting Irish were excluded from the College Football Playoff last season despite their strong record.
Meanwhile, the Badgers are searching for a fresh start under coach Luke Fickell after a difficult season where they finished 4-8 overall and tied for 14th in the Big Ten.
Historically, Notre Dame holds a 9-6-2 advantage in the all-time series, which includes a dominant 41-13 victory over the Badgers back in 2021.
Industry expert Matthew Severance, who is on a 9-2 run with his recent Notre Dame predictions, highlighted the significance of the team starting strong this year.
Analyzing the team’s early-season preparation, Severance explained the team’s focus during training camp.
“Notre Dame has made it a point in camp to ensure a fast start because early-season losses have been the only issue under coach Marcus Freeman,” Severance said.
He recalled past struggles, such as a surprising home defeat against Northern Illinois in September of 2024 and tight losses to Miami and Texas A&M early last season.
Those early setbacks ultimately cost the team a playoff spot, even though the Irish finished with ten consecutive double-digit wins.
To avoid a similar fate, Notre Dame is determined to remain focused on the task at hand.
The point total for the game is set at 46.5 points, with Notre Dame listed as a -2000 favorite on the money line and Wisconsin as a +1000 underdog.
Fans can watch the game live or stream it through platforms like Fubo.
With kickoff approaching, the Fighting Irish aim to prove their elite status on a legendary stage.