Notre Dame football started its 2026 season off on the right foot, with a 41-13 win over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field for the Shamrock Series game.
The opener showed us plenty about the Irish, and while the final score was impressive, there are more than a few areas that could see improvement. It’s a good start in Notre Dame’s pursuit to make the College Football Playoff, and it also quiets down the crowd regarding head coach Marcus Freeman’s early season struggles.
It’s just one game, but it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen the Irish on the field after opting out of a bowl game last season. Here are my final thoughts on Notre Dame’s good win over Wisconsin to start the season.
Can Notre Dame win the College Football Playoff?
Notre Dame is going to just bulldoze teams this season. Not even
close to how good they’ll be.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) September 7, 2026
After one week, the answer is no, and I might get a lot of slack for this, but there’s plenty of time for that to change. The schedule is set up so much better this year than last, with some fairly easy games early to get the new players feet wet. Wisconsin is better than some of the other early teams on the schedule, so there will be a bit of a drop off in talent, which should allow the Irish to get more acclimated as a team. Remember, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and Notre Dame has plenty of time to get to the front of the pack.
Notre Dame’s running game found its groove in the second half
Sullivan Absher has been terrific since inserted into the game at halftime. Watch him clear the way for Aneyas Williams here.
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) September 7, 2026
I suspect he’ll be the starting right guard moving forward. pic.twitter.com/BJaj7OxofE
It was not a pretty outcome for the Irish backs during the first half, as Aneyas Williams, Nolan James and Kedren Young all got carries and none of them were effective. That changed once the Irish made a switch on the offensive line, with Sullivan Absher being the spark. It very much looks like the coaching staff was still tinkering with the best five lineman, and they might have found it in the second half. It all starts up front, and those big guys did a great job opening holes, as Williams finished with 90-yards on 20 carries with two scores and James had 4 receptions for 67-yards and a score. Solid showing from the backs in this one.
Notre Dame needs to release CJ Carr
This Notre Dame game reminds me of their opener last year. Notre Dame turned into screen university and finally opened up the offense too late against Miami.
— Ben Belden (@coachbbelden) September 7, 2026
CJ Carr could be the best QB in college football and Denbrock has only let him 3 step drop all night. Let him ball.
This was something that I talked about during the live blog, Carr needs to be let go. He’s Notre Dame’s clear best offensive player, and it all revolves around him. Early in the season as the backs are still getting their feet wet, the Irish should work backwards on offense, using the pass to open up the run. When the safeties are forced to play deeper, it gives the backs more holes to run through. It works both ways, and right now, Carr should be the carrying the load until everyone else catches up.
Notre Dame’s defense could be special once again
FINAL
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) September 7, 2026
Notre Dame 41
Wisconsin 13
Irish absolutely whelming in their season debut in putting down the Badgers. Plenty to work on offensively but defense was filthy.
So far, all of my thoughts have been on offense, and that is where most of the improvement can be made. On the other side of the ball, I have absolutely no issues at all. DJ McKinney had a pick-6, Boubacar Traore and Francis Brewu each had a sack, and tackling machine Drayk Bowen led the team with nine. Colton Joseph has good targets to throw to, and this Wisconsin offense will put up some points on other teams. It’s just that the Irish are so good that they made them look so bad.
Notre Dame missed an opportunity to build quarterback depth
Marcus Freeman on CJ Carr:
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) September 7, 2026
“Excellent. Excellent. Leader, smart prepared, coach on the field.”
Carr’s final drive should have gone to a backup, as the game wasn’t really close at 34-13. I’m not saying to sub out the whole first-team, just the quarterback. Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard need live reps, and they didn’t really get that opportunity. When a game is a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter, one bad drive won’t spoil the effort. I really would like to see one of the freshman out there, as you have to have contingency plans for every player, and right now, Notre Dame does’t really have one for Carr.
Wisconsin is solid, this is a good win for Notre Dame
HERE COME THE IRISH!#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/9ngsBx0Y9W
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 7, 2026
At the end of the year, we’ll look back at this as a very good win for the Irish, as the Badgers will win some games this year. They have a fairly manageable Big Ten schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana. Wisconsin should make a bowl game, and the CFP committee will put some weight on that. Sure, the first half was frustrating to watch, but the final score turned out toe be impressive and this is a quality win.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Day after: Final thoughts on Notre Dame’s solid win over Wisconsin
