The Wisconsin Badgers might be facing an uphill battle before they even step onto the field this season. According to recent projections, their Week 1 opponent—the Notre Dame Fighting Irish—could enter the 2025 campaign as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation. That's a daunting prospect for Badgers fans, especially with the game set for September 6 at Lambeau Field.

Lambeau hasn't seen a showdown like this since LSU visited in 2016, when Wisconsin stunned the No. 5 Tigers 16-14 in front of over 77,000 roaring fans. But this time, the challenge could be even greater. Football Scoop's Zach Barnett makes a compelling case for Notre Dame to top the preseason rankings. "In my mind, there's no question about who should start this season at No. 1," Barnett says. "It's Notre Dame."

Why the hype? The numbers back it up. CBS reports that Notre Dame returns 66 percent of its total snaps from last season, including a whopping 73 percent on defense. Bill Connelly's SP+ metric—which accounts for transfers—puts that figure even higher at 72 percent overall, with 77 percent on defense. That kind of continuity is rare and dangerous for opponents.

Offensively, the Fighting Irish are loaded. Barnett highlights quarterback CJ Carr, running back Aneyas Williams, and wide receiver Jaden Greathouse as key playmakers who could light up the scoreboard. Despite missing the playoffs last year, Notre Dame was in the conversation all season long. With a favorable schedule in 2025, they'll need to start strong—and Wisconsin stands in their way.

For Badgers fans, this feels like a flashback to 2016, when they proved anything is possible at Lambeau. But this time, the stakes are higher: a top-ranked opponent, a national stage, and a chance to shock the college football world once again. Gear up, Wisconsin—this could be a season opener for the ages.