The journey back to the playoff begins with a battle under the lights at the “Frozen Tundra” (or as frozen as a tundra can be on Labor Day weekend) of Lambeau Field (home of the NFL Green Bay Packers), as the Irish take on the Wisconsin Badgers.

This season is full of high expectations, with many members of the national media picking the Irish to win their first National Championship since 1988. To see how this season might play out, the Irish Tribune simulated the upcoming season on College Football 27.

Notre Dame will play Rice in the home opener, then Michigan State at home before the Irish travel southwest to challenge in-state rival Purdue. The natural inclination is that this three-game stretch features three "easy wins". However, Freeman knows better than anybody that Notre Dame shouldn't underestimate early season opponents.

After going 7-6 in 2023, Fickell’s Badgers have seen their win total drop in each season since, placing him firmly on the hot seat as we enter the 2026 campaign. To be fair, defense has been far from the biggest issue concerning Fickell’s Badgers tenure.