{
  "id": 3939908,
  "title": "Wisconsin's Week 1 opponent dominates USA TODAY's top 100 rankings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/wisconsins-week-1-opponent-dominates-usa-todays-top-100-rankings",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T10:30:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wisconsins-week-1-opponent-dominates-103025943.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Wisconsin Badgers face a formidable opponent in their 2026 season opener against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as highlighted by USA TODAY's preseason player rankings. Five players from the Fighting Irish made USA TODAY's Top 100 College Football Players list for 2026, with three of them ranking within the top 30. Cornerback Leonard Moore topped the charts at No. 4, having earned unanimous All-American honors in 2025. He is expected to be a significant challenge for Wisconsin's new offense, spearheaded by quarterback Colton Joseph, who was recently named to the Manning Award Watch List. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr ranked No. 18 with 2,471 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions during his redshirt freshman season. Three Notre Dame defensive players also found themselves on the list: Drayk Bowen at No. 77, Tae Johnson at No. 60, and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at No. 28. Notre Dame secured the top spot in USA TODAY's preseason team re-ranking, underscoring the challenge it poses for Wisconsin. The Badgers and Fighting Irish will clash on September 6 at Lambeau Field, providing an early opportunity for Wisconsin to make a statement against one of the nation's most talented teams.",
  "summary": "The Wisconsin Badgers won't have an easy task when they open the 2026 season against Notre Dame.",
  "key_points": [
    "Notre Dame's five players ranked in USA TODAY's Top 100 College Football Players list.",
    "Leonard Moore ranked No. 4, the highest among the five Notre Dame players.",
    "Wisconsin faces Notre Dame on September 6 at Lambeau Field."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}