Wisconsin vs Notre Dame Prediction, Picks & Odds: College Football Week 1
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For the first time in a decade, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc., is hosting a college football game, and both Wisconsin and Notre Dame will be embracing the historic event with alternate uniforms when they hit the gridiron on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
With Notre Dame donning an "Acme Packers" inspired uniform as a 20.5-point favorite, my Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame prediction expects the Fighting Irish to look good, feel good, and play good against a Badgers team set to rep an all-red fit.
Find out more in my college football picks for Sept. 6.
TOP PICK
Who will win Wisconsin vs Notre Dame: Notre Dame -20.5
It's fitting that Notre Dame, the college football national championship odds favorite, opens the season at an NFL stadium on a Sunday because half its starters will be playing in the pros next season.
Marcus Freeman's program has no shortage of proven talent, with the Fighting Irish leading the country in returning production (72%). That includes having the Heisman Trophy odds leader at QB (CJ Carr) and an offensive line that's my pick to win the Joe Moore Award this year.
Notre Dame is ranked No. 3 on offense by SP+ heading into Week 1, but its defense should make the bigger difference against Wisconsin. The Irish have the best secondary in the country, and Colton Joseph is making his first start at Wisconsin.
I would take Notre Dame to cover by as many as 22.5.
COVERS INTEL: Notre Dame finished Top five nationally in EPA per pass, available yards percentage, early-down EPA per play, and third/fourth-down EPA per play last season.Wisconsin vs Notre Dame Over/Under pick: Under 46.5
Freeman and Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell know a thing or two about defense; they were the masterminds behind Cincinnati's rise to becoming the first non-Power program to reach the College Football Playoff in 2021.
It's no surprise that both have continued to produce strong defenses as Power Four head coaches, but it's Notre Dame's that should really set the tone at Lambeau Field. Last season, the Fighting Irish ranked Top 20 in both EPA per pass and rush on defense, and this season, they are projected to have a Top 10 unit by SP+.
And for all of Wisconsin's problems under Fickell, the defense has remained solid. It was ranked 35th by SP+ in 2025 and added plenty of portal talent around returning star Mason Posa.
However, I wouldn't touch the Under if it drops any lower.
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame combo
There's excitement around Wisconsin's offense with Joseph starting, but it's a huge ask for him to produce against Notre Dame in his first start as a P4 QB.
Notre Dame has the best defensive player in the country (Leonard Moore) leading the best secondary in the country, with a front seven that features multiple projected NFL draft picks, including potential Top 50 selection Boubacar Traore.
Traore and the Irish D-line will create havoc against a Badgers O-line dealing with injuries and new starters. That spells trouble for Joseph, who was a big-play hunter at Old Dominion.
While he looked to hit home runs, it led to him missing out on singles and doubles. Joseph had the second-lowest adjusted completion percentage in the country among the 99 QBs who took 300+ dropbacks in 2025 (65.1).
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame combo
- Notre Dame -20.5
- Under 46.5
- Wisconsin team total Under 13.5
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Wisconsin +20.5 | Notre Dame -20.5
- Over/Under: Over 46.5 (50%) | Under 46.5 (50%)
- Moneyline: Wisconsin 9% | Notre Dame 91%
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Wisconsin vs Notre Dame weather
The weather in Green Bay isn't expected to be a factor in this matchup.
Check out our college football weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame trend to know
The Under is 7-0 in Wisconsin's last seven games as an underdog. Find more college football betting trends for Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame.
How to watch Wisconsin vs Notre Dame
| Location | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
| Date | Sunday, Sept.6, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame latest injuries
Check out our college football injuries page for updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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