Notre Dame at Wisconsin - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin logo
Sunday, September 6th 2026 (12:00 AM EDT)
Lambeau Field - Greenbay, WI

 
Fighting Irish (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Marcus Freeman (43 - 12)
Avg Score : 42 - 18 (38 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 11.2 - 0.8 (#2)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
Our Line: Notre Dame -27  (SP+ ND -29)
Projected Score: ND: 37 - WIS: 10 (46)
ND Win prob: 98% | Cover: 56%
ND Travel: 215 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Badgers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Luke Fickell (17 - 21)
Avg Score : 13 - 22 (16 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.9 - 7.1 (#79)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Notre Dame's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6Notre Dame vs Wisconsin-24.5
Sat 9/12Notre Dame vs Rice-43
Sat 9/19Notre Dame vs Michigan State-29.5
Sat 9/26Notre Dame at Purdue-27
Sat 10/3Notre Dame at North Carolina-25
Sat 10/10Notre Dame vs Stanford-34
Sat 10/17Notre Dame at BYU-7
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Notre Dame vs Navy-29
Sat 11/7Notre Dame vs Miami-5
Sat 11/14Notre Dame vs Boston College-32
Sat 11/21Notre Dame vs SMU-15.5
Sat 11/28Notre Dame at Syracuse-29

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 6, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 6, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Notre Dame's Schedule
Wisconsin's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6Wisconsin vs Notre Dame+24.5
Sat 9/12Wisconsin vs Western Illinois-23.5
Sat 9/19Wisconsin vs Eastern Michigan-13
Sat 9/26Wisconsin at Penn State+20
Sat 10/3Wisconsin vs Michigan State-2.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Wisconsin at UCLA+5.5
Sat 10/24Wisconsin vs USC+18
Sat 10/31Wisconsin at Iowa+19
Sat 11/7Wisconsin vs Rutgers-1
Sat 11/14Wisconsin at Maryland+4.5
Sat 11/21Wisconsin at Purdue-0.5
Sat 11/28Wisconsin vs Minnesota+4

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wisconsin's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ND#4 (.36)49% (10)4247% (25)3.05 (50)20451% (6)2554.79 (6)#12 (.04)36% (13)17.638% (20)36% (16)2.58 (6)53.10.81.9
WIS#132 (.01)35% (130)12.834% (132)2.82 (91)11838% (108)1362.28 (135)#88 (.19)45% (110)21.644% (92)46% (118)3.13 (25)30.11.30.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ND0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WIS0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ND Offense124238.249%4.790.8234602042555.953%45%47%51%13%.36
WIS Defense1221.618.344.8%3.130.5 - - - - - 47%51%44%46%13%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ND Defense1217.61736.4%2.581.9 - - - - - 43%56%38%36%18%.04
WIS Offense1212.815.635.4%2.281.3142551181363.456%42%34%38%18%.01

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Notre Dame1229:1722.548%55%5.553.10.81.95.82.8732.5
Wisconsin1230:3714.132%67%3.630.11.30.55.12.6128.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ND Offense1253% (38)47% (25)34.8204.45.938 (11).25 (11)3.05 (50)62% (122)8% (36)1.16 (8)
WIS Defense1247% (31)44% (92) - - - - .06 (42)2.75 (43)71% (70)9% (89)0.86 (16)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ND Defense1243% (7)38% (20) - - - - .04 (37)2.74 (39)71% (66)9% (77)0.89 (32)
WIS Offense1256% (24)34% (132)35.1118.33.49 (122).04 (107)2.82 (91)66% (103)12% (121)1.05 (34)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ND Offense1245% (95)51% (6)18.126.8255.19.514.125 (33)6 (34).45 (10)1.7 (25)29% (37)44% (2).65 (3)5% (35)2 (65)
WIS Defense1251% (100)46% (118) - - - - - - 5 (75).33 (106)1.4 (11)30% (97)29% (67).34 (91)4% (133)2 (70)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ND Defense1256% (133)36% (16) - - - - - - 21 (1).09 (8)1.6 (93)36% (9)26% (24).17 (17)9% (3)2.1 (84)
WIS Offense1242% (113)38% (108)13.122.7136.4610.49 (114)13 (119).03 (131)1.5 (105)33% (101)25% (120).2 (109)7% (95)2.1 (48)

Notre Dame's Power Ratings
Notre Dame's Power Rating: 29.17  #2
Notre Dame's Offense Rating: 32.02  #3
Notre Dame's Defense Rating: -4.35  #1
2026 Talent Rating: 1190.00  #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 67%  #2
Notre Dame's 2026 Expected Record: 11.2 - 0.8
Notre Dame's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.4  #5
Notre Dame's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.0  #4
Notre Dame's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.3  #13

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 934
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Notre Dame: 29.17   Wisconsin: 0.0049999999999999

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Notre Dame: 24.4   Wisconsin: -4.4




Wisconsin's Power Ratings
Wisconsin's Power Rating: 0.0049999999999999  #60
Wisconsin's Offense Rating: 13.82  #66
Wisconsin's Defense Rating: 14.41  #59
2026 Talent Rating: 866.00  #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 15  #27
Wisconsin's 2026 Expected Record: 4.9 - 7.1
Wisconsin's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.4  #85
Wisconsin's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.4  #122
Wisconsin's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Notre Dame Scoring
Offense: 42 PPG
Offense on Road: 38.2
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 17

Notre Dame's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Notre Dame 37
Wisconsin 10


Projected Total Points: 46
Wisconsin Scoring
Offense: 12.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 15.6
Defense: 21.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.3

Wisconsin's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202109/25Wisconsin13Notre Dame41Wisconsin -6Notre Dame43.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wisconsin001 Overs
Notre Dame110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#2) ND at (#60) WIS
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNDWIS
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #2 #60
SP+SP+ #5 #85
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #2 #43
Blue ChipsBC% #2 #27
Notre Dame Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Highest, dominant Def, primed for CFP run
(2/10) 16 starters back, 2nd in CFB, 8 exp'd depth too
(2/2) Hired Ill DC Henry as DB/CoDC to replace Mickens
(1/29) DEs talented but need more, DT portals big adds
(1/29) Def is loaded, LB & Secondary both top CFB units
(1/29) OL great pieces, expecting a lot. RBs inexp'd
(1/28) ? at skill but loaded w talent. Portal WR's help
(1/28) QB Carr primed for big season. Will lead Offense
(1/25) Freeman, Denbrock, QB Carr all back. Big year.
Notre Dame Injury Report
Wisconsin Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Low, Fickell era bad, Off a disaster
(2/10) Any momentum from beating UW & Illinois LY?
(2/2) Fickell era hasn't worked. NIL $ not fast enough
(1/29) OC Grimes was no better than Longo in Yr 1
(1/29) QB C Joseph potential game changer. Huge fan
(1/29) RB portal Sama great add. Should go 3 deep
(1/29) WR 4 portal adds, nothing special. Avg at best
(1/29) OL a mess. 4 portals. Patchwork Avg line at best
(1/29) DL complete rebuild via portals. Don't see it
(1/29) LBs could be better, DBs look solid w/ good portals
Wisconsin Injury Report
Notre Dame on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffWIS Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #10 #110
ExplosiveExp #3 #20
PPAPPA #4 #88
PowerPwr #3 #59
SP+SP+ #4 #34
Pts POPPO #6 #25
HavocHav #36 #120
Notre Dame Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffWIS Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #25 #92
Run ExplRExp #8 #16
PPAExp #11 #42
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #50 #43
Stuff RateStuff #101 #24
TackleTak - NR
Notre Dame Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffWIS Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #6 #118
Pass ExplPExl #25 #11
PPAExp #10 #106
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #89
DB HavocDB #35 #133
Wisconsin on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatWIS OffND Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #130 #13
ExplosiveExp #75 #85
PPAPPA #132 #12
PowerPwr #66 #1
SP+SP+ #122 #13
Pts POPPO #135 #6
HavocHav #119 #19
Wisconsin Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #20
Run ExplRExp #34 #32
PPAExp #107 #37
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #91 #39
Stuff RateStuff #72 #74
TackleTak - NR
Wisconsin Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatWIS OffND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #108 #16
Pass ExplPExl #105 #93
PPAExp #131 #8
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #121 #77
DB HavocDB #95 #3
Program Comparison
WIS 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

ND 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

Weather Forecast
Playing in Lambeau Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
ND's OC Mike Denbrock (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
C.J. Carr19529367%27412469.4
Jordan Faison11100%400040.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aneyas Williams2422459.354
Nolan James Jr.143702.615
C.J. Carr413330.828
Jordan Faison1-80-8.00
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Faison49640413.154
Micah Gilbert993110.326
Mylan Graham (Tr)693015.523
Luke Talich184184.084

View Notre Dame's Full Roster

ND's DC Chris Ash (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drayk Bowen675423
Adon Shuler522125
Jaiden Ausberry514250
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa488352
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boubacar Traore3710780
Drayk Bowen675423
Jaylen Sneed355330
Keon Keeley (Tr)133311
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Gray1810010
Leonard Moore310007
Adon Shuler522125

WIS's OC Jeff Grimes (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Colton Joseph (Tr)17328860%261921109.1
Danny O'Neil619068%635557.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Colton Joseph (Tr)1571011136.478
Abu Sama III (Tr)14173255.244
Darrion Dupree8336324.484
Gideon Ituka6025504.318
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaylon Domingeaux (Tr)528571116.582
Shamar Rigby (Tr)25351114.048
Ryan Schwendeman (Tr)15191212.749
Jacob Harris (Tr)1918259.638

View Wisconsin's Full Roster

WIS's DC Mike Tressel (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Cooper Catalano565111
Marvin Burks Jr. (Tr)492001
Matthew Jung491000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Junior Poyser (Tr)305420
Sebastian Cheeks246320
Hammond Russell IV (Tr)133200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javan Robinson (Tr)423008
Mason Posa574424
Eric Fletcher (Tr)122002