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Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish’s 2021 schedule by entertainment value

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish gather in the tunnel before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish gather in the tunnel before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to take the snap against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to take the snap against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish’s 2021 schedule by entertainment value

No. 1: Wisconsin, Week 4

Absolutely everyone has had this matchup with Wisconsin circled all season long, and it’s easy to see why. First, being played at Soldier Field, this game has a unique twist from the typical game during the course of the season.

It’s currently listed as a Shamrock Series game, so expect some uniforms to come out that everyone can hate before the game.

A lot of eyes will be on Jack Coan, as just two years ago he was the starter at Wisconsin, leading them to the Rose Bowl. He got injured before the start of 2020, losing his job to standout recruit Graham Mertz in the process.

Mertz was up and down, but it’s clear the Badgers were all in on him, so Coan decided to transfer out. He landed at Notre Dame, where he’s expected to be a bridge between Ian Book and Tyler Buchner.

Of course, just focusing on the quarterbacks or uniforms doesn’t do this game justice. This is a great all-around matchup that sets the tone for both teams’ seasons to follow. Lose this game, and you might be on a slippery slope. Win, and wonder just how far you can go.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 8-6-2. They last met in 1964, when the Irish won 31-7. 

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