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Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin prediction, odds, pick for Week 1 at Lambeau Field
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Marcus Freeman 's Notre Dame Fighting Irish are ranked fourth nationally by the Associated Press to start the 2026-27 season and have a big target on their back after their university was given special treatment for making the 2026-27 College Football Playoff.
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The Fighting Irish have a major hurdle in front of them this weekend at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin against coach Luke Fickell 's Wisconsin Badgers, a fallen Big Ten power looking for a signature win to jump start their return to prominence.
Will Wisconsin keep this game interesting and make the Fighting Irish sweat it out, perhaps even pulling a home state upset?
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The Fighting Irish are big favorites, and judging by the talent they have returning, it's easy to see why.
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Odds
Notre Dame:-20.5 (-108)
Wisconsin:+20.5 (-113)
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Over/Under: 46.5 Points
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Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Key Injuries
Star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is on his way back from a left knee injury suffered late last season and has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.
He was listed alongside eight others on Notre Dame's injury report, all of whom are out for the game. Those are eight players are OL Matty Augustine (right foot), DL Christopher Burgess Jr. (left tibia), DL Tiki Hola (right knee), OL Charles Jagusah (left humerus), LB Ko'o Kia (left shoulder), WR Quincy Porter (left knee), DB Chaz Smith (right wrist), and OL Chris Terek (right knee).
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The Badgers have injury questions surrounding offensive linemen Emerson Mandell and Kevin Haywood heading into the contest.
Both players are starters and have been listed as questionable for the game, with Fickell stating recently that he would wait and see how they look this week before deciding on their status for Sunday's game.
"Those guys have been back in some capacity," he said on Aug. 31 , per Sports Illustrated. "But I couldn't tell you exactly where we are at today, right now."
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Betting Trends
The spread on Sunday's Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin matchup hasn't fluctuated with the vast majority of bettors ( about 66% ) picking the Fighting Irish, per Bucky's 5th Quarter.
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The over/under has always remained mostly steady, dropping down one point from its original number, 47.5 points.
The Badgers are 6-9-2 all-time against the Fighting Irish and have lost the last two meetings between the two teams. They last squared off in 2021 in Chicago, Ill., a neutral site game that resulted in a 41-13 Notre Dame victory.
Keys to Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Matchup
This game will come down to several key factors including whether or not the Fighting Irish get off to a good start or let Fickell's upset-minded Badgers hang around.
Notre Dame is listed as the home team in enemy territory but most pundits expect more Fighting Irish fans than Badger fans considering the size and scope of the Irish fanbase.
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Wisconsin is expected to start Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph at quarterback, who will have his hands full against one of the better defenses in college football. The Fighting Irish finished 11th in total defense last season and have enough depth to offset the potential loss of Viliamu-Asa for this game.
If Joseph can avoid the big mistake early and play keep-away from the Irish offense, the Badgers could hang around and make this game relatively close. Wisconsin had the 24th-ranked defense in college football last season but will face one of the nation's most talented offenses led by Heisman Trophy candidate CJ Carr.
Marcus Freeman gives Notre Dame a decided coaching advantage, and the Irish have plenty of motivation to prove they can win convincingly against an expected bottom-to-middle tier Big Ten team.
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Prediction and Pick
Coach Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish are one of college football's most talented teams while many fans wonder why Luke Fickell hasn't been relieved of his coaching duties.
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Wisconsin hasn't released a depth chart yet which seems like an ominous sign for a team that had hoped to see new players establish themselves as firm starters during the offseason.
Most analysts expect Notre Dame to have a special season that will include the honoring of late former head coach Lou Holtz . Carr has been heaped with praise by Freeman this offseason, who compared him to a video game create-a-player.
Wisconsin has the defense to keep this game close, but I expect Carr and the Fighting Irish's supremely talented offense to pull away in the second half. Take Notre Dame and the under in this one and feel confident that at least one if not both of your bets will hit.
Prediction:Notre Dame 31, Wisconsin 13
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