The Wisconsin Badgers will open their 2026 season Sunday night against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, a neutral-site game that carries statewide attention and national television exposure. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT, and the game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Late depth chart, frontline change
Wisconsin declined to release a depth chart with the rest of the college football world earlier in the week and only published one shortly before kickoff, a move that drew scrutiny because of the implications for game planning. The most notable entry on the Badgers’ late chart is the insertion of sophomore transfer Blake Cherry into the starting offensive line.
Cherry, who played in 12 games for Arkansas last season, followed his position coach to Madison this offseason. The change comes as Wisconsin seeks a replacement for Mandell, who will miss the opener because of an injury. The timing of the depth chart release and the roster adjustment gave Notre Dame additional preparation time but limited live-scouting opportunities on the Badgers’ starting personnel.
Broadcast and logistics
For fans and viewers, here is the essential information:
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CDT
- Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | 6:30 p.m. CDT |
| Venue | Lambeau Field, Green Bay |
| TV | NBC |
| Streaming | Peacock |
What the change means for Wisconsin
Moving Cherry into a starting role adds an experience component to the Badgers’ frontline; he logged significant playing time at Arkansas last season. That familiarity with game speed could help stabilize a unit that will be without its expected starter. Still, transfers — even those with prior game reps — must adapt to new blocking schemes and teammates, and the continuity that offensive lines rely on can be hard to replicate on short notice.
Wisconsin’s decision to delay posting a depth chart suggests the coaching staff was weighing options late into preparations, or it sought to control information ahead of a high-profile matchup. Either way, it creates a variable Notre Dame had to account for in its scouting and may alter in-game matchups early.
Notre Dame’s buildup and pageantry
The Fighting Irish came into the weekend with a different set of pregame rituals. As part of Notre Dame’s annual Shamrock Series, the program shared a close-up look at the alternate uniforms it will wear for Sunday’s game. The uniforms are a recurring feature of the series — a chance to vary the program’s traditional look in a spotlight matchup.
Playing Notre Dame brings a national spotlight and standard-setting opponent to Madison’s program. For Wisconsin, a strong performance at Lambeau Field would carry significant momentum into the Big Ten schedule and signal the readiness of younger contributors and transfers like Cherry.
What to watch during the game
- How quickly the Badgers’ offensive line gels with Cherry in the starting five and whether protections and run lanes hold early.
- Notre Dame’s response to the late depth-chart reveal — do the Irish exploit any revealed weaknesses, or do they find the Badgers’ adjustments sufficient?
- Special teams and situational play at Lambeau Field, where wind and field conditions can influence late-season-style games even in early September.
Sunday’s opener provides an early test for Wisconsin’s depth and preparedness, and it offers fans across the state a marquee matchup on national television. With kickoff approaching, the late offensive-line change and Notre Dame’s pageantry add layers of intrigue to what is already a high-profile season debut.
Peter Vandenberg is the state correspondent for WE NEWS.
