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Newsstand: Notre Dame opens as betting favorite vs. Wisconsin, Miami per BetMGM

IMG_9992by: Tyler Horka05/07/26tbhorka

BetMGM listed betting lines for some popular 2026 college football games this week, including two Notre Dame matchups. The Fighting Irish are favorites vs. Wisconsin (-19.5) and Miami (-6.5).

Much can and will happen between now and the time the Irish and Hurricanes meet in South Bend on Nov. 7, a rematch of last year’s season opener in south Florida, so the point spread will change in conjunction with whatever occurs in the first two months of the season for both teams. As far as the game against the Badgers is concerned, however, that is the Irish’s season opener this year. So what you see is more or less what you’re going to get barring any big money coming in one way or the other.

The Irish went 10-2 overall last season but finished with just a 6-6 record against the spread. The Irish were 10-2 against the spread in regular season games in 2024, making head coach Marcus Freeman‘s against the spread record 16-8 in the last two seasons. His overall regular season record, straight up, since the start of 2024 is 21-3.

The Irish are among national championship favorites roughly four months before the season starts. BetMGM has the Irish’s odds at +700. The only team with a better chance of winning it all, according to BetMGM, is Ohio State at +600.

Notre Dame social media posts of the day

Starting quarterback CJ Carr is motivated and ready for the 2026 season.

The Fighting Irish’s 2026 offensive linemen.

Fighting Irish men’s lacrosse has produced some stout defensemen.

Fighting Irish quote of the day

“He plays the game with no fear and never steered away from forging his own path. Right away, you knew how competitive he was, and when he gets onto the field, he takes it to another level. He can get it stirred up with some of the defensive guys, some of the talking and sparring, but they know everything he does is to make the team better. They see his intelligence and how hard he prepares. That kind of competitive spirit is contagious.”

— Marcus Freeman on CJ Carr

Blue & Gold headlines of the day

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• Three things we learned about Notre Dame quarterbacks in 2026 spring practice
• Notre Dame offer puts Irish among leaders for elite 2028 QB Lukas Prock

• Notre Dame reestablishes footing with four-star LB Roman Igwebuike entering stretch run
• Notre Dame a top contender for in-state four-star LB Sean Fox with official visit set
• Three things we learned about Notre Dame running backs in 2026 spring practice