After Notre Dame opened the season for two straight years against College Football Playoff teams, the 2026 season opener against Wisconsin will be quite a step down. With the announcement that head coach Luke Fickell didn't take what's been the traditional one-year extension that other Badgers' coaches get automatically, it's safe to say that Fickell is the lamest of lame duck coaches.
Sure, Wisconsin has said he's got the program's full support. They announced his job was safe and that the Badgers are investing more into Fickell's view of the future. But all signs point to it being easier to fire Fickell if things go south for a second straight season.
Notre Dame and Wisconsin, as well as Marcus Freeman and Luke Fickell, are headed in different directions. While Athletic Director Chris McIntosh, in a statement to ESPN, said Fickell asked him not to put the extension on the table. It's clear McIntosh was quick to take him up on that offer.
Why Wisconsin’s contract decision changes the tone of Notre Dame's opener
Fickell received one-year extensions in 2023 and 2024, with his contract currently running through March 2032. So no, he's not a lame duck coach in the sense that he's working without a new contract for several years. However, not tacking on another year is a big sign that the Badgers aren't sure about what the third-year coach brings to the table.
For now, Wisconsin expects to have a better campaign than in 2025 when they finished 4-8. It's still the first time since 2023 that Notre Dame will open the season against a school that had a losing record the year before.
If Notre Dame dominates the Badgers the way fans and analysts expect them to, Luke Fickell's seat will only get hotter. The Irish have another reason to start the season with a big win. The most cutthroat reason of all.