Wisconsin’s Bold Plan to Challenge Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore Faces Skepticism
Notre Dame opens its 2026 season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, with the matchup centered on whether the Badgers can effectively challenge top defensive prospect Leonard Moore. While Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell insists his team will not avoid throwing to Moore, analysts and fans question the practicality of this strategy against a player widely regarded as the best in the country. Notre Dame, ranked No. 4, is seeking a strong start to secure a College Football Playoff spot, while Wisconsin aims to prove its offseason improvements through the transfer portal.
Key points
- Notre Dame (No. 4) plays Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sunday night to start the 2026 season.
- Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell stated his team will not avoid throwing to Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, calling him a top-2 or 3 draft pick.
- Notre Dame is seeking to avoid early-season stumbles that cost them a playoff bid in 2025, despite a 10-game winning streak to end that regular season.
- Wisconsin, a three-touchdown underdog, added 34 transfers last offseason, including quarterback Colton Joseph, to improve from a 4-8 record.
- Notre Dame has won all 12 previous Shamrock Series games, including a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin in 2021.
Background
Notre Dame has struggled with early-season losses in recent years, going 13-6 in pre-October games over the last four seasons. Their 2025 season began with two losses to eventual playoff teams, Miami and Texas A&M, which ultimately cost them a playoff spot despite a strong finish. The 2026 season is critical for Marcus Freeman’s program to establish its worthiness for the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is attempting to rebound from a 4-8 season by leveraging the transfer portal to build a more competitive roster.
How outlets are covering it
One Foot Down’s Joshua Vowles is highly skeptical of Wisconsin’s plan to challenge Leonard Moore, suggesting that Fickell’s comments are likely 'press conference' rhetoric that will not translate to game day. He argues that Moore’s dominance is too significant to ignore. In contrast, FOX Sports highlights the broader context of Notre Dame’s need for a strong start and notes the coaching connections between the two teams, with Marcus Freeman and Luke Fickell having worked together in Cincinnati. Yahoo’s preview focuses on the general anticipation of the Shamrock Series, while the Wisconsin State Journal article provided is unrelated to the football game, focusing on men's basketball, and thus offers no perspective on the football matchup.
Why it matters
This game is a critical early-season test for Notre Dame’s playoff aspirations. A strong performance, particularly by Leonard Moore, could set the tone for a successful season. For Wisconsin, the game is an opportunity to validate their offseason rebuilding efforts and prove they can compete with top-tier programs. The outcome will also influence perceptions of both teams' strengths and weaknesses as the season progresses.
What to watch
The game will take place on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. Notre Dame is favored to win, but Wisconsin’s ability to execute their game plan against Leonard Moore will be a key factor. The result will likely impact both teams' standings and future scheduling, as well as their prospects for the College Football Playoff.
- Good luck with the Leonard Moore gameplan Wisconsin One Foot Down
- No. 4 Notre Dame seeking faster start to season as it opens against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field FOX Sports
- Pod of Gold 9/2: Looking ahead to Notre Dame football vs. Wisconsin Yahoo
- Wisconsin men's basketball freshmen shine in recent international tournament Wisconsin State Journal
- Badgers won’t avoid Notre Dame star CB: ‘He’ll have a chance to prove he’s the best in the country’ Bucky's 5th Quarter
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on One Foot Down