Marcus Freeman and Luke Fickell face off at Lambeau Field

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell are set to face off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The matchup carries personal significance as the two coaches share a long professional history. Freeman played under Fickell at Ohio State from 2004 to 2008 and later served as Fickell’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Cincinnati from 2017 to 2020.

Freeman has credited Fickell with his professional development, stating, “I wouldn’t be in this position without the investment he made in me.” Fickell expressed pride in Freeman’s growth, noting that successful coaches like Freeman are those who create their own identities.

The two programs enter the game from different trajectories. Notre Dame enters as a three-touchdown favorite, boasting a strong roster including quarterback CJ Carr and several preseason All-Americans. Wisconsin is looking to rebound following a 4-8 finish in 2025, which ended a 22-season winning streak.