⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Wisconsin right guard Emerson Mandell returned to practice during game week after missing all of fall camp following spring foot surgery, but remains questionable for Notre Dame with Stylz Blackmon the likely replacement if unavailable. - Wisconsin right tackle Kevin Heywood missed the remainder of camp after an early lower-body injury and remains questionable, with Lucas Simmons taking his camp reps and Luke Fickell anticipating multiple offensive-line combinations in the opener. - Wisconsin safety Matt Jung identified disguising defensive looks as a priority against CJ Carr because of the Notre Dame quarterback's ability to read coverages and adjust the offense. - The preview author projects Notre Dame to beat Wisconsin 27-13, expecting the Irish's greater roster continuity and skill-position advantage to decide the fourth quarter after Wisconsin's changed offense creates some early uncertainty.

- Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano remain Wisconsin's top inside linebackers and improved their pass-rush and coverage impact during camp, producing multiple interceptions and pass breakups. - Thomas Heiberger is healthy after prior injury issues and looked like the most complete version of himself during fall camp, adding size and athleticism to the rotation. - Jon Jon Kamara finished camp strongly and is part of an inside-linebacker group expected to rotate roughly four players behind leaders Posa and Catalano. - Taylor Schaefer consistently worked with Wisconsin's second unit and forced three turnovers during open-scrimmage week, positioning himself for rotational and special-teams work. - Former walk-on Drew Braam became a vocal leader and earned extensive second-team linebacker reps, with a backup and special-teams role expected.

- Eugene Hilton Jr. returned to Wisconsin after entering the transfer portal and emerged in fall camp as one of quarterback Colton Joseph's leading receiving options. - Luke Fickell said Hilton became stronger and faster over the offseason and was Wisconsin's most consistent daily playmaker through the first seven fall practices. - Hilton said increased opportunities under new receivers coach Ari Confesor helped him convert a promising spring into more consistent fall-camp production. - Hilton and Joseph built trust through post-practice work, positioning Hilton as a potential third-down target and deep-shot option against Notre Dame's man coverage.

- Wisconsin changed elements of its training load, spring work, fall-camp practices and in-season practice intensity after reviewing the critical injuries that affected recent teams. - Luke Fickell said Wisconsin had fallen short of its physicality, toughness and discipline standards over the previous two seasons and had made substantial internal program changes over the ensuing nine months. - Wisconsin expects returning starting outside linebacker Sebastian Cheeks to take a larger role as a disruptive, havoc-producing defender after contributing to the defense's late-season improvement in 2025. - Fickell credited a blend of emerging young leaders and veterans who stayed through adversity with making Wisconsin more player-led and internally stable entering 2026. - Wisconsin treated its Week 1 game against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field as a reason to accelerate camp preparation because the Badgers would need to play at a high level immediately rather than build gradually into the season.

- Coaching: #2 QB competition Where Joseph has grown the most What I learned from Kenny Guiton’s presser Thursday