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Notre Dame arrives as a heavy favorite against Wisconsin, but the Fighting Irish may have a vulnerability at a key spot on the offensive line. If Wisconsin can pressure quarterback C.J. Carr, the matchup could tighten quickly despite Notre Dame’s overall talent advantage.
Talent gap across most positions
On paper, Notre Dame looks deeper and more experienced at nearly every position group. The roster features returning starters and a stable two-deep, giving the Irish continuity that is hard to find on the Badgers’ side.
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There are exceptions, notably at inside linebacker and possibly at running back, where Wisconsin could find more balanced matchups. Still, the overall impression is one of sustained depth and few obvious weaknesses.
Questions at offensive tackle
One spot that stands out as uncertain is the offensive tackle area. Protecting C.J. Carr will hinge on how well Notre Dame’s tackles hold up against Wisconsin’s pass rush.
At right tackle, Guebry Lambert is expected to start. He brings 737 career snaps and was a primary starter last season at right guard, where he allowed just one sack and produced 10 pressures. However, his experience specifically at right tackle is limited — under 70 career snaps, most of which came two seasons ago.
The left tackle unknown
The blindside appears more unsettled. Notre Dame plans to use sophomore Will Black at left tackle. A highly rated recruit — a five-star in his class — Black has the physical profile coaches covet at 6-foot-7 and 316 pounds.
Yet his college reps are minimal: 27 career snaps total, with 16 at left guard and 11 at right tackle. That lack of game experience makes him a less proven option to handle top-tier edge rushers.
Marcus Freeman acknowledged the learning curve: “Like any freshman, he had a bumpy road that first year,” Freeman said. “It’s extremely high, if you look at his ceiling. He’s doing a really good job at the left tackle position going against really good players.”
Who could test the tackle pair?
Wisconsin’s leading threat off the edge is Sebastian Cheeks, an experienced pass-rusher who has faced quality tackles throughout his college career. Behind him, the Badgers’ pass rush is less proven, but Cheeks alone represents a significant challenge.
If Wisconsin can generate consistent pressure — even in short bursts — the Irish tackles’ limited experience could be exposed. That would force Notre Dame to rely on quicker throws, additional protection, or play-calling adjustments to keep Carr clean.
Implications for the game
If the Fighting Irish protect their quarterback effectively, their depth and returning talent should allow them to control the contest. But the tackle questions inject a realistic path for an upset: pressure the quarterback, force mistakes, and tilt the field toward Wisconsin.
In short, Notre Dame’s roster depth is a clear advantage. Still, the matchup on the edges of the line is a practical reminder that even teams with few systemic flaws can carry single-point vulnerabilities that alter a game’s trajectory.
