No. 4 Notre Dame begins a season filled with College Football Playoff expectations Sunday night against Wisconsin at one of football's most iconic venues, Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Shamrock Series matchup renews a series that has been played just once since 1964. Notre Dame won that most recent meeting 41-13 at Soldier Field in 2021 and leads the all-time series 9-6-2.
For Notre Dame, much of the optimism centers on quarterback CJ Carr. Carr threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns during his freshman season and now enters Year 2 as one of the nation's most intriguing quarterbacks. He has experienced targets Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse back, with Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham adding even more talent to the receiving corps.
The Irish must replace star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, which puts a larger role on Aneyas Williams. But Notre Dame's offensive line should remain a major strength, giving Marcus Freeman an opportunity to lean on the running game while Carr settles into the season.
Notre Dame may be even more formidable defensively. Cornerback Leonard Moore, who finished 2025 as PFF's highest-graded cornerback according to Wisconsin's game preview, anchors an experienced defense that also returns linebacker Drayk Bowen. Wisconsin will have to find ways to create explosive plays rather than relying on long, methodical drives.
The Badgers begin a crucial fourth full season under Luke Fickell after finishing 4-8 in 2025. Their biggest offseason addition is quarterback Colton Joseph, a transfer from Old Dominion who threw for 2,624 yards and rushed for 1,007 more last season while accounting for 34 touchdowns. Iowa State transfer Abu Sama III gives Wisconsin another potentially dangerous weapon in the backfield.
Wisconsin's best chance to keep the game close may come on defense. Linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano both return after breakout freshman seasons, with Posa earning Freshman All-America honors. Wisconsin also added 34 transfers as Fickell attempted to remake a roster that struggled offensively last year.
Lambeau adds an unusual element. Wisconsin famously upset No. 5 LSU there in 2016, and a large Badger contingent should create something closer to a road environment than a traditional Notre Dame Shamrock Series game. Still, Notre Dame has significant advantages in proven talent, depth and quarterback stability.
Wisconsin's defense may keep this competitive early, but Carr and Notre Dame's array of weapons should eventually create separation.