The spread is ridiculously massive this week for Notre Dame vs Rice in South Bend, Indiana.

Notre Dame was the better team in the first half against Wisconsin, but proved its championship contender status by finding itself in the second half.

At a glance, Notre Dame may have opened the season as many would’ve expected. The Fighting Irish beat Wisconsin 41-13, quarterback CJ Carr put together a solid stat line and the defense played like a dominant unit.

No. 4 Notre Dame arrives at Lambeau Field on Sunday carrying national championship expectations. Wisconsin shows up shouldering something heavier: pressure to improve under Luke Fickell. This season-opening matchup offers an immediate measuring stick for an Irish team ranked inside the preseason top five and expected to contend deep into December.

Notre Dame safety Brauntae Johnson, now in his third season, was injured after 24 defensive snaps in the win over Wisconsin.

This year's Irish often won't be judged by the opponent right in front of them but by what their performance might mean for January.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell 'knew that punting and field goals were not going to win games' against a team as good as No. 5 Notre Dame.

Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons putting on a show on the gridiron. But over the weekend, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer gladly traded in his cleats for fan gear to cheer on his son,