Notre Dame begins their revenge tour as massive favorites in Week 1 vs Wisconsin

After Notre Dame started the last two seasons against Texas A&M and Miami, the Fighting Irish are getting a break against Wisconsin in 2026. Thanks to the Badgers keeping Luke Fickell on staff, it's like a bye week to open the year.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Irish fans aren't the only ones who think the season opener will be a cake walk compared to previous campaigns. They have Marcus Freeman and Co. as 19.5-point favorites for the Week 1 tilt.

While some Wisconsin analysts think being a near-three-touchdown underdog is an insult, it's hardly the craziest spread. After all, thanks to getting snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee and dipping out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Notre Dame will enter the 2026 season on a 10-game winning streak.

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin betting line highlights two programs heading opposite directions

Meanwhile, Wisconsin is going in the wrong direction under Fickell. It's becoming clearer by the day that he's over his head as a Power 4 head coach and belongs back in the American Conference.

Coming off a 4-8 campaign and promises that the administration will dedicate more resources to the football program, the Badgers will be breaking in a new quarterback who will hope to spark an offense that hasn't been anywhere near as high-powered as its head coach promised.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame starts the year with CJ Carr, who is the first returning starting quarterback in the Freeman era. He had a good enough freshman season that he's already thought of as one of the top Heisman candidates for next fall.

Replacing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price could hamper the Notre Dame offense, but it could even mean that, especially in Week 1, Carr will have a bigger role. As the team begins its "revenge tour" against the rest of the College Football world, taking on a weak Power 4 squad to open the campaign is the perfect recipe.