​The 41-13 score in Wisconsin’s season-opening loss to No. 5 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Sept. 7 won’t raise any eyebrows. The Fighting Irish were 20-point favorites to beat the Badgers. But for one half, Wisconsin was likely at least piquing the curiosity of the national audience watching on NBC.The Badgers gave Notre Dame haters across the nation something to cheer about when they trailed only 13-10 at halftime and possibly would have held the lead if not for a turnover on a kick return.Both fans and national media were quick to praise the Badgers:Wisconsin is flying all over the field. Really sharp start by Luke Fickell’s Badgers. They’ve been the aggressor.— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) September 7, 2026College Football is better when Wisconsin is relevant and playing good football.This is an indisputable fact.— Sam Block (@theblockspot) September 7, 2026I do think Wisconsin is good. This looks like an 8-9 win team— Chief (@BarstoolChief) September 7, 2026Wisconsin is buzzzzzzzin— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 6, 2026That might have been the greatest punt I have ever seen from the Wisconsin Punter.— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 7, 2026Whatever happens tonight against Notre Dame it’s already clear this Wisconsin team is more talented up and down than it’s been in maybe a decade It turns out doubling the salary cap is helpful— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) September 7, 2026But after halftime, the color rush turned navy blue as the Fighting Irish ended any talk of a shocking upset by scoring 28 of the last 31 points.And a familiar refrain echoed on social media about Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell:Losing by 28 to Notre Dame doesn’t make me feel like we are any closer to any sort of a resolution. They didn’t have to win. They had to show they belonged. They did neither.— Wisconsin Family (@Wisconsin_fam) September 7, 2026Games lost by 14+ points. Fickell-15 times in 3 years. Prior 15 years of Badger football-15 times. For those that are mathematically challenged, going from 1x per year to 5x per year is bad.— Badgermaniac (@THEbadgermaniac) September 7, 2026Fickell always playing to beat the spread instead of win the game. Embarrassingly soft team. Yet again.— eznark (@eznark) September 7, 2026At least a few Wisconsin fans also understood that Notre Dame is likely a pretty good team:He’s been underwhelming for sure. But this is his make or break year. Instead of saying fire fickell for losing to a national championship contender, see how big ten play goes. If we don’t go to a bowl game, then fire fickell, but until then, wait and see. We showed promise early— I am the #1 Wisconsin Sport fan (@Blake07969375) September 7, 2026They’re playing against the second best odds on favorite for the National Championship. I think they’ll be fine for the season. Fickell’s lack of success at Wisconsin is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Firing him doesn’t fix it https://t.co/j0z5VEjYAt— Eric Fische