⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Notre Dame opens the season at a neutral site against Wisconsin in the first Shamrock Series game ever used as an Irish season opener. - Notre Dame's staff has extensive Wisconsin and Luke Fickell connections, including Marcus Freeman, Mike Denbrock, Gino Guidugli, Mike Brown, Chris Ash, Charlie Partridge, Joe Rudolph, and Aaron Henry. - Marcus Freeman is 2-0 in Shamrock Series games as Notre Dame head coach, with prior neutral-site wins over BYU and Army.

- Irish Illustrated's Tim Prister and Drew Mentock stood outside Notre Dame Stadium on Wednesday after speaking with seven members of the team's leadership: coordinators Mike Denbrock, Chris Ash and Marty Biagi and all four captains. - The conversation took place four days before the Fighting Irish open the season on Sunday against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. - The crew discussed how CJ Carr has grown as a leader and student...

- Notre Dame expects Wisconsin to use a physical, disciplined run-first offense built around multiple rushing looks and a mobile quarterback who was the Sun Belt Player of the Year. - Marcus Freeman expects Wisconsin's defense to prioritize stopping the run behind two strong linebackers, including No. 8 as one of the best players Notre Dame may face this season. - Wisconsin pairs Sebastian Cheeks' edge pressure with a transfer-heavy secondary, giving Notre Dame a defense Freeman expects to remain aggressive and structurally sound. - Notre Dame is preparing for possible special-teams wrinkles because Freeman expects Wisconsin to use strong personnel and unusual looks in that phase at Lambeau Field.

- Wisconsin safety Matt Jung said his experience alongside Marvin Burks gives the Badgers more flexibility to disguise coverages against Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr. - Starting quarterback Colton Joseph emphasized Notre Dame's defensive speed and physicality while expressing confidence in Wisconsin's tight-end group as a matchup resource. - Wisconsin's defense has prioritized frequent communication both before and after the snap as a core requirement against Notre Dame. - Running back Abu Sama said his growth under Jayden Everett has centered on protection assignments, defensive reads and taking available interior yards rather than automatically bouncing runs outside, skills Wisconsin needs against Notre Dame's frequent man coverage.

- Irish Illustrated Insider delves into Notre Dame's recently released depth chart, including offensive ramifications, potential breakout players defensively, and who might make the biggest move from Game #1 to mid-season. - We also take an initial look at the Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame's season opener Sunday Night at Lambeau Field.

- Notre Dame's right-guard competition remains unresolved between Sullivan Absher and Styles Prescod, and Marcus Freeman expects both could play against Wisconsin. - Ashton Craig is healthy enough for more than 70 snaps after his second ACL tear and will start at center ahead of Joe Otting. - Freshmen Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard remain co-listed behind CJ Carr at quarterback, while Blake Hebert has moved to the scout team. - Armel Mukam earned a spot ahead of Francis Brewu on the defensive line after returning from the transfer portal and making a major developmental jump under Charlie Partridge. - Fully recovered freshman Joey O'Brien is the second safety behind Adon Shuler, while DJ McKinney and versatile Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders are expected to rotate at field corner.