Notre Dame Must STOP These Wisconsin Players In Season Opener...

Notre Dame football opens the 2026 season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, and Ryan Roberts is breaking down the Wisconsin players the Fighting Irish need to stop to avoid an upset bid. Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame enter the season with massive College Football Playoff and national championship expectations. Wisconsin enters the matchup as a significant underdog, but that doesn't mean the Badgers don't have players capable of creating problems. The biggest one may be quarterback Colton Joseph. Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: https://atozsports.com/games For More Notre Dame coverage follow us here: https://atozsports.com/college-football/notre-dame-fighting-irish-news/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotreDameFans4Life Twitter: https://x.com/AtoZSportsNFL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atozsportsnotredame/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notredame.atozsports The Old Dominion transfer is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback whose greatest weapon may be his ability to create plays with his legs. Ryan explains why Wisconsin is likely to use designed quarterback runs, zone reads and power reads to get Joseph involved and potentially keep Notre Dame's defense on the field. If Joseph can consistently convert difficult third downs with his legs, Wisconsin can shorten the game and limit Notre Dame's opportunities. Ryan also identifies running back Abu Sama III as a player Notre Dame needs to stop early. The Iowa State transfer brings explosive ability to the Badgers' backfield and could become especially dangerous if Notre Dame's linebackers and safeties begin overplaying Joseph in the run game. Then there's wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. The son of former NFL star T.Y. Hilton, Eugene Hilton Jr. gives Wisconsin a potential downfield weapon. Ryan doesn't believe Notre Dame needs to dedicate a defender like Leonard Moore to shadow Hilton around the field, but he does believe the Fighting Irish secondary needs to know where Hilton is on every snap. On the offensive line, Ryan highlights Kevin Heywood. The 6-foot-9, 320-pound tackle is returning from injury and brings significant size and physicality to the Wisconsin offensive front. If Wisconsin can win at the point of attack, the Badgers have a better chance of controlling the clock and keeping Notre Dame's explosive offense on the sideline. Finally, Ryan discusses linebacker Mason Posa, a versatile sophomore who can line up at either linebacker spot and create pressure from different areas of the defense. Which Wisconsin players should Notre Dame be most worried about? Can Colton Joseph create enough with his legs to keep Wisconsin in the game? Will Abu Sama III provide explosive runs? And can Notre Dame's secondary shut down Eugene Hilton Jr.? Ryan Roberts breaks down the five Wisconsin players the Fighting Irish need to stop in the 2026 season opener. Subscribe for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football news, analysis, recruiting coverage, transfer portal updates, roster breakdowns and year-round college football content. 0:00 The Wisconsin Players Notre Dame Must Stop 0:29 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Preview 1:23 Colton Joseph Is The Biggest QB Threat 2:41 How Wisconsin Can Shorten The Game 3:09 Abu Sama III Can Create Explosives 4:53 Eugene Hilton Jr. Is Wisconsin's WR Threat 6:05 Notre Dame's Secondary Has The Advantage 6:34 Kevin Heywood Can Set The Tone 7:41 Mason Posa Could Disrupt Notre Dame 8:42 Another Wisconsin Edge Threat To Watch #notredame #notredamefightingirish #notredamefootball