The Wisconsin Badgers won’t have an easy task when they open the 2026 season against Notre Dame, and USA TODAY’s preseason player rankings offer another reminder of just how talented their Week 1 opponent is.
Five Fighting Irish players landed on USA TODAY Sports’ Top 100 College Football Players for 2026, but most importantly, three of them were in the top 30.
Cornerback Leonard Moore led the way at No. 4 overall. After earning unanimous All-American honors in 2025, Moore enters the season as one of the nation’s best defensive backs and will be a major challenge for Wisconsin’s new offense, led by Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, who was just named to the Manning Award Watch List.
Speaking of QBs, CJ Carr was ranked No. 18 after he threw for 2,471 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions as a redshirt freshman last season.
Notre Dame also placed three defensive players on the list: No. 77 Drayk Bowen, No. 60 Tae Johnson, and No. 28 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
Notre Dame was also ranked No. 1 in USA TODAY’s preseason team re-rank, further proving just how difficult a test this is for Wisconsin.
The Badgers and Fighting Irish will meet Sept. 6 at Lambeau Field, giving Wisconsin an opportunity to make an early statement against one of the nation’s most talented teams.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin’s Week 1 opponent dominates USA TODAY’s top 100 rankings
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
