The No. 3-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish are squaring off against the Michigan State Spartans this Saturday in South Bend, renewing a rivalry that’s been dormant since 2017’s Battle for the Megaphone. Both teams are sitting pretty at 2-0 early in the 2026 season, but folks, the Irish are already looking like a national championship contender, and their QB, CJ Carr, is flashing some serious Heisman Trophy potential. This isn’t just another game; it’s a statement about where Notre Dame is headed after a tough finish last year.
The Irish Are Rolling, And They Ain’t Stopping
Remember last season? Notre Dame famously turned down bowl games after missing out on the College Football Playoff. Well, it’s pretty clear they’re not letting that happen again. They kicked off 2026 with a dominant 41-13 win over Wisconsin, then absolutely bullied Rice with a 52-0 shutout. That kind of early season form? It’s electric! Quarterback CJ Carr has been an absolute machine, throwing for 492 yards and six touchdowns on 35-for-49 passing. His top target, Jordan Faison, is already a force with eight catches for 135 yards and two scores. This team is locked in, and the determination is palpable.
Sparty’s New Era Meets An Irish Juggernaut
Michigan State, under first-year coach Pat Fitzgerald, is also 2-0, which is a good start for a new regime. But let’s be real, the betting markets are telling a different story for this Week 3 showdown. DraftKings has the Fighting Irish as massive favorites, with a money line of -5000 compared to Michigan State’s +1800. The spread? A whopping Notre Dame -28.5. That’s a huge number for a rivalry game, showing just how much the experts expect the Irish to roll. The over/under is set at 51.5, with the Over at -112 and Under at -108. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has an impressive 33-21 run on top-rated CFB money-line picks since 2024 and was upgraded for 2026, certainly points to a strong Notre Dame performance. While the Spartans aren’t necessarily a “daunting” opponent by those odds, this is still the Battle for the Megaphone, and you gotta treat rivalries with respect.
This matchup with Michigan State is just the second time Notre Dame faces a “lower-end Big Ten” team this season, but it’s crucial for maintaining momentum. The path ahead won’t be easy, with tough road games against No. 11 BYU and home contests versus No. 5 Miami and No. 16 SMU looming. If Notre Dame keeps playing like they have, they absolutely should be capable of beating all three. This Saturday is all about sending a message and keeping that CFP dream alive. It’s time for the Irish to keep their foot on the gas and show everyone why Carr is a Heisman candidate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply