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Notre Dame football news

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The gist

Notre Dame opens 2026 season vs Wisconsin at Lambeau Field Sunday 6:30 pm EST. Irish, 10-2 last year, seek first title since 1988.

Background

Notre Dame finished 10-2 last season but missed the College Football Playoff, declining other bowl games. With a new CFP rule granting an automatic bid if ranked in the top 12, the Irish are expected title contenders this year, returning key players like QB CJ Carr and All-American cornerback Leonard Moore.

How it unfolded

  1. 2025 seasonNotre Dame finished 10-2 but missed the College Football Playoff and declined other bowl games.
  2. Aug 31, 2026Coach Marcus Freeman held a weekly press conference and warned about Wisconsin's quarterback.
  3. Sep 3, 2026Multiple outlets preview the season opener, noting Notre Dame's championship aspirations and the new CFP auto-bid rule.
  4. Sep 6, 2026Notre Dame plays Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay at 6:30 pm EST.

Who’s saying what

Official
Coach Marcus Freeman warns his team about Wisconsin's quarterback, emphasizing the challenge ahead.
Analysts
Notre Dame is a sizeable favorite and a national title contender, but they have struggled in September under Freeman.
Caution
Despite high expectations, Notre Dame's history of early-season struggles and tough schedule could derail their playoff hopes.

Still unverified

No unverified information.

Sources

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