Marcus Freeman urges Notre Dame to focus on season opener against Wisconsin
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 1:57 AM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of winning now as the Fighting Irish prepare for their season opener on September 6 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. After missing the College Football Playoff last season, Freeman aims to keep his players focused on current performance rather than potential playoff implications. The Fighting Irish are expected to start the season ranked in the top five and have a favorable path to the playoffs if they finish in the top 12. Freeman has urged his team to concentrate on their on-field execution, avoiding distractions from last year's playoff snub.
- •Notre Dame faces Wisconsin on September 6 at Lambeau Field.
- •Marcus Freeman wants players focused on winning to avoid past mistakes.
- •The Fighting Irish are set to begin the season ranked in the top five.
- •Last season, Notre Dame finished with a 10-2 record but missed the playoffs.
- •Freeman is emphasizing current performance over playoff discussions.
- 2:29 AMESPN — Freeman, Fighting Irish focus on opener, not CFP
- 12:40 AMYahoo Sports — Marcus Freeman wants Notre Dame players to focus on winning now to avoid playoff snub
"The Fighting Irish are expected to open the season ranked in the top five of the AP poll, and they could use last year's snub as motivation to help guide the 2024 national runner-up back into the playoff field. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Freeman tried to avoid talking about what happened last season as he looked ahead to Notre Dame's opener on Sept. 6 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. “We didn’t earn that opportunity,” Freeman said of last season.
"After missing the College Football Playoff at the end of last season, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants his players focused on winning now, and that starts with the Fighting Irish's opener on Sept. 6 against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 5, 2026, 2:29 AMFreeman, Fighting Irish focus on opener, not CFP
After missing the College Football Playoff at the end of last season, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants his players focused on winning now, and that starts with the Fighting Irish's opener on Sept. 6 against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field.
- Yahoo SportsAug 5, 2026, 12:40 AMMarcus Freeman wants Notre Dame players to focus on winning now to avoid playoff snub
The Fighting Irish are expected to open the season ranked in the top five of the AP poll, and they could use last year's snub as motivation to help guide the 2024 national runner-up back into the playoff field. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Freeman tried to avoid talking about what happened last season as he looked ahead to Notre Dame's opener on Sept. 6 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. “We didn’t earn that opportunity,” Freeman said of last season.
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