ESPN names Wisconsin's Week 1 opponent a college football supervillain

In roughly two weeks, the Wisconsin Badgers will be squaring off in one of the most exciting matchups on the college football calendar.

At the historic Lambeau Field, Luke Fickell 's team will be going head-to-head against the almighty Notre Dame Fighting Irish .

Remember, Notre Dame ended the 2025 campaign on a sour note after opting out of a Bowl game following their 10-2 season, one in which they believe they were robbed of a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Recently, the Fighting Irish were listed as one of college football's greatest supervillains by ESPN's Ryan McGee.

"From their continued life as a nonconference football independent that still plays sort of an ACC schedule to having their own personal television contract for the last few decades and their continued status as a lone wolf in the College Football Playoff selection room, Notre Dame has long wielded exclusive powers. And as much as the Irish's fanbase has relished the role, all other fanbases hate them for it," writes McGee.

On September 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Badgers will have the rare chance to take down the Fighting Irish, a team that opens the year ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll .

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