Tag: notre dame vs wisconsin

Notre Dame all-time vs. each Big Ten football team

Which Big Ten team do you wish Notre Dame played annually and why?

Notre Dame tried for years to join the Big Ten but was not allowed.  Now many want Notre Dame to join a conference full-time but the school remains independent in football and with the good lord willing, they’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

The member schools of the Big Ten have changed over the years but the conference called the Big Ten now has 14 members, and those 14 members have been playing football against the Irish for quite some time.

Notre Dame hosted and defeated Purdue and Wisconsin in 2021 in their only games against Big Ten foes.  The Irish opened the 2022 season at Ohio State in their only Big Ten match-up on the year.  2023 sees the Irish play host the Buckeyes in late September.

How has Notre Dame fared against each current Big Ten football team all-time?

Let’s take a peak.

ESPN FPI Predicts Notre Dame-Wisconsin

Is this a coin toss game?

If you’ve followed a decent amount of my work here or on Twitter you’ve likely at stumbled into my thoughts on ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) at some point.  In summary I like the idea of having something that puts a formula to rankings and predictions, but sometimes that formula just doesn’t make sense.

That FPI formula predicted every game for the fourth week of the college football season and with Notre Dame and Wisconsin being the biggest meal of the day (sorry Texas A&M and Arkansas) we thought we’d share how it projects the Irish and Badgers.

ESPN FPI Projected Winner: Wisconsin at 54.6 percent

The FPI currently ranks Wisconsin at No. 19 nationally and Notre Dame at 21.

Here’s to hoping this thing is wrong come 4 p.m. ET.

Related:

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Fighting Irish and Badgers Wire Staff Predictions

The links between Notre Dame and Green Bay Packers are plentiful

Notre Dame tweaks depth chart ahead of Wisconsin showdown

Watch: Notre Dame football staffer answers Wisconsin question

When is the last time you were torn between teams you were rooting for?

Notre Dame and Wisconsin is the biggest game on the college football slate this weekend as both ESPN’s College Gameday and Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff shows will be set up for it.

Current Notre Dame football team chaplin Nate Wills has gotten some attention this week as he’s got ties to the University of Wisconsin having earned his Ph.D. there in 2015.

When you have roots somewhere it’s hard to ignore them, especially when your current life intersections your old one.  So is there any question who Wills is pulling for this Saturday?

(Make sure to watch until the very end)

Well done by all and Go Irish, indeed.

Related:

Staff Picks for Notre Dame-Wisconsin

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: In-depth Badgers scouting report

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Eight prop bets for showdown

How to watch, stream to Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin

Notre Dame’s first regular-season noon kickoff in quite a while

Notre Dame and Wisconsin battle Saturday as the college football world will keep a watchful eye on the happenings at Soldier Field.

If you’re not lucky enough to be in attendance for Saturday’s Midwest showdown, here is how you can take in the Fighting Irish and Badgers, who are meeting for the first time since 1964:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021
Time: Noon ET
TV: Fox – Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Jenny Taft on the call
Livestream: fuboTV (try it free)

Below are a few links to help you get ready for Notre Dame-Wisconsin:

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: 5 things to know

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Comparing Quarterback Stats

A new key injury for Notre Dame ahead of Wisconsin showdown?

Latest health update on Notre Dame quarterback ahead of Wisconsin game

Will ‘Jump Around’ blare at Soldier Field on Saturday?

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Tyler Buchner health update

How key is what Buchner brings to the offense going to be on Saturday?

Notre Dame has struggled to run the ball with any consistency early in 2021 and has called upon freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner to help in that department.

His legs present a different danger for opposing defenses to have to account for but against Purdue a tweaked hamstring kept him from seeing the field after halftime.  Will Buchner be ready to go on Saturday when the Irish take on Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago?

“Buchner is improving, we got him up to about his miles per hour in terms of full out sprint yesterday was where we wanted it to be,” Brian Kelly said Thursday, “We’ll add more to his load with the expectation of preparing him for his role at quarterback on Saturday.”

Notre Dame’s all-time results on ESPN’s College Gameday

Notre Dame has their hands especially full as Wisconsin brings one of the best defensive fronts in the nation to the game Saturday.  The Badgers are allowing fewer than two yards per carry by opponents in their two games this season.

Related:

A late key injury addition for Notre Dame ahead of Wisconsin showdown?

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: 5 things to know

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Comparing Quarterback Stats

Late injury report addition for Notre Dame ahead of Wisconsin?

A new potential problem for Notre Dame’s defensive this weekend?

Everything appeared normal with veteran nose guard Kurt Hinish following last week’s 27-13 Notre Dame victory over Purdue.  Hinish was awarded the game ball by Brian Kelly and seemed primed for the showdown with Wisconsin this weekend.

But is he?

The long story made short is we don’t have confirmation either way after hearing Brian Kelly speak on Thursday.  At first he was asked about if there had been any changes to the depth chart that was released on Monday of this week.

“The only guy we haven’t made a decision yet on is Michael Carmody,” Kelly said. “We had some chances to get some reps yesterday. We’ll need to evaluate him today and tomorrow. I would say that’s going to come down to a game-day decision.”

Rumors have swirled around campus this week about a possible question regarding the availability of Hinish, a mainstay on Notre Dame’s defensive line which will obviously have its hands full against Wisconsin’s powerful running game this weekend.  When asked about Hinish specifically Kelly offered the following:

“There’s always going to be guys that are questionable during the week that have lingering injuries from the week before,” Kelly said. “But we don’t rule anybody out unless they’re clear that they are not going to play. So, as I said, I think the only guy right now that clearly is not playing is the guys that we told you that were unavailable earlier in the week. Other than that, some of these are gametime decisions. I think each week you’ll find that there’s going to be some rumors and there’s going to be some speculation as to some guys may be available or unavailable. I’ll let you guys know if there’s somebody definitely not available leading into the game, but I think there’s always going to be a little bit of that from week to week.”

So what did Kelly say about Hinish or was it perhaps what he didn’t say?

Kelly stated that Carmody is the only player that a decision is yet to be made on but didn’t come out and say that Hinish was going to be able to go versus the Badgers, either.

Stay tuned as this is suddenly a big story to keep an eye on heading up to the 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff between Notre Dame and Wisconsin this Saturday.

Related:

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: 5 things to know

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Comparing Quarterback Stats

Will ‘Jump Around’ play this Saturday at Soldier Field?

I came to get down…

In 1998 Wisconsin was taking on a Drew Brees-led Purdue team and before the fourth quarter the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain was played.  The instant result was a madhouse at Camp Randall and soon after a great college football tradition was born.

Will that song that has become as much a part of Wisconsin football as brats and beer are at a tailgate be played in Saturday’s neutral site game at Soldier Field?

According to Kori Finley of the Chicago Tribune the answer to that question is yes.

I’m all for traditions being carried out but you know where the “Jump Around” tradition and entire Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin experience would be better than Soldier Field?

At Camp Randall in Wisconsin.

I’ve only been to one game ever at Wisconsin but it was plenty memorable back in 2010 when J.J. Watt and the Badgers knocked off No. 1 Ohio State that night and “Jump Around” in person lived up to the hype.

College football is best played on college campuses and you’ll never convince me otherwise.  Nonetheless that tradition will take place Saturday during this Badgers “home game”.

Yet with this and the game not being on NBC, Notre Dame is still calling it a Shamrock Series game despite the original idea of that series being to essentially take a home game to a neutral location.

Alrighty then.

Related:

Notre Dame tweaks depth chart ahead of Wisconsin showdown

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: 5 things to know

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Comparing Quarterback Stats

Wisconsin head coach discusses Jack Coan ahead of reunion

Who has the quarterback advantage Saturday?

One of the biggest storylines in the biggest game in college football this weekend is Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan taking on the team he used to play for, Wisconsin.

Earlier this week Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was asked about taking on Coan after coaching him for years.

“He’s always going to work and continue to work to improve. Certainly, there’s a storyline there. I think it’s important that it’s Wisconsin versus Notre Dame. I think we have respect for Jack. We appreciated who he was as a player, person and teammate here. But it’s Wisconsin versus Notre Dame.” – Paul Chryst

Coan has completed 62 of 98 passes this year for 828 yards and eight touchdowns while being intercepted twice.  If Notre Dame is to win on Saturday one would assume Coan will have to connect for a couple of big plays much like Penn State did in their week one victory over the Badgers.

Related:

Notre Dame tweaks depth chart ahead of Wisconsin showdown

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: 5 things to know

Notre Dame-Wisconsin: Comparing Quarterback Stats

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin Prediction, Game Preview

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, September 25

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, September 25

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 25
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
How To Watch: FOX
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Notre Dame (3-0) vs Wisconsin (2-1) Game Preview

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Notre Dame has been just okay. Not great, but okay.

Oh sure, it’s 3-0, but 1) it needed overtime to get by a miserable Florida State team that went in the tank, 2) almost got bit by a Toledo team that got hammered a week later by an awful Colorado State, and 3) last week needed a late score and a few big plays to get by a decent Purdue team.

Wisconsin couldn’t get the O going against Penn State in the opening week loss, but everything looked fine in the follow up blowout over Eastern Michigan. The offense is still a bit of a question mark overall – the passing attack just isn’t sharp – but the ground game is back to being good again after a rough 2020. It’s the other side that’s the killer.

The Badgers have allowed just 66 rushing yards in two games, are No. 2 in the nation in total defense, and they’re getting the D off the field in a hurry – they lead the nation in time of possession, keeping the ball for 41 minutes a game.

Outside of a few big runs, the Irish are struggling on the ground – they’re going to run into a brick wall here. The offensive line is in for a long day – the pass protection has been abysmal – in front of a guy the Badger coaching staff knows all too well.

Former Wisconsin starter Jack Coan is under center for the Irish, and …

– Week 4 College Football Expert Picks

Why Notre Dame Will Win

The guy has been great.

Coan was off a bit against Purdue, but he’s averaging over 300 passing yards per game with a slew of deep plays, nine touchdown passes, and the veteran leadership desperately needed in the tight early games.

For all of the issues the Irish have had, they’re tested. They’ve been pushed, and they keep managing to come through with the big plays at just the right times.

Opportunistic, they have yet to come away empty in the red zone – a massive issue for the Badgers in the loss to Penn State – and they’ve been great at forcing takeaways.

It’s this simple – Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz has been awful when pressured, or when he doesn’t get enough time to make the right read. This team has a very, very bad problem of being totally incapable of overcoming turnovers.

Notre Dame wins this if it’s +2 in turnover margin.

– Week 4 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

America, welcome to the Wisconsin defense.

The Notre Dame offense isn’t going to do a thing on the ground, but it’s possible to hit the Badger secondary deep. Coan will come up with a few big plays against his old team, but he’s not going to get enough time to do it consistently.

Florida State was able to take over in the second half against the Irish with the running game. Wisconsin has a different style – more brutish than quick-hitting – but it’ll be effective.

The game will be taken out of Mertz’s hands as much as possible, the D with two weeks of rest will pick up the slack for a few empty drives, and in the first meeting since 1964 – a 31-7 Irish win – Wisconsin will make a bit of a statement.

Notre Dame vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 26, Notre Dame 17
Line: Wisconsin -5.5, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: Muhammad Ali film by Ken Burns
1: Dear Evan Hansen

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Another Day, Another “Way too Early” Top Ten for Notre Dame (ESPN)

Quick question:  when does it stop being “way too early” to make a pre-season top 10 or top 25? 

Quick question:  when does it stop being “way too early” to make a pre-season top 10 or top 25?  I agree the day after the national championship seems a bit early but as we approach spring ball is that still the case?

Probably, but it makes a bit more sense today than it probably did a month or so ago.  Either way, ESPN and Mark Schlabach released their latest “way too early top 25” and Notre Dame remains in the same position they did a month and five days ago.

Number 10.

ESPN/Schlabach’s latest outlook for Notre Dame:
Despite a lopsided loss to Clemson in the CFP two seasons ago, it might be argued the Irish are as close as ever to returning to the sport’s elite. They’re 33-6 since 2017, matching the most victories in a three-year stretch in the program’s history (the Irish also won 33 from 1988-90). After early losses at Georgia and Michigan, Notre Dame won its final six games in 2019, including a 33-9 rout of Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. With quarterback Ian Book and all five starting offensive linemen returning, there’s good continuity on that side of the ball for 2020. Kevin Austin, who was suspended for the 2019 season, and Northwestern grad transfer Bennett Skowronek are two receivers to watch this spring. Coach Brian Kelly promoted former quarterback Tom Rees to offensive coordinator; he called plays in the bowl game after Chip Long was pushed out. There’s much work to do on defense, especially in the secondary.

Essentially this is exactly what was said in the first write-up.  There was no movement for any of the top three teams in Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama while Georgia moved to four and LSU dropped from four to eight.  Penn State’s climb from nine to five was also noteworthy in the top ten.

Listen, like it or not Notre Dame is entering the season as a top ten squad.  Perhaps you think they aren’t getting enough love or you may think they’re getting too much.  Either it really doesn’t matter much beyond for fun off-season arguments.

What’s much more important is if Notre Dame can improve the ability to run the ball against the better fronts and how quickly their now young secondary can grow.  If the growth at both of those improves and Ian Book can take a step, not even a leap, then Notre Dame should be looking 4-0 in the eyes before the showdown versus Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.

Win that and all bets are off before Clemson comes to town the first Saturday in November.

OK – can we fast forward to fall already?  Starting to get a bit excited.