The national narrative has already decided that Notre Dame has one of the easier schedules in college football. But is that really the full story?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Notre Dame’s 2026 football schedule, looking beyond preseason rankings and the names on the schedule to examine when the Irish play each opponent and where those teams could realistically be positioned by the time they meet Notre Dame.

Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, a Michigan State team coming to South Bend early to renew a rivalry game, a difficult trip to BYU, heavy hitter Miami, and SMU of note.

Is Notre Dame really getting a collection of “cupcakes” like the national narrative suggests? Or could several of these games become much more difficult than they appear right now based on momentum, what the opponents' records and rankings may actually be, and coaching situations?

We break down the schedule, identify the potential trap games, examine where the schedule could actually work in Notre Dame’s favor, and ask the biggest question:

Is Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule actually easy or are we looking at it the wrong way?

Because sometimes the most important part of a schedule isn't who you play… it's when you play them and deeper narratives.

On this episode, we sit down with former Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio for an inside look at his journey from South Bend to the NFL.

Rubio takes us behind the scenes of his Notre Dame career, sharing stories and insights from his time playing for coaches Marcus Freeman, Al Washington, and Al Golden, while reflecting on the experiences, challenges, and relationships that shaped him along the way.

Now, Rubio is taking the next step in his football journey after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He discusses the transition from college football to the NFL, what he's learned through the process, and what it means to begin his professional career in Pittsburgh.

From his development at Notre Dame to hearing his name called on draft night, this is a conversation that gives Irish fans a closer look at Gabriel Rubio — the player, the person, and the journey that brought him to the NFL.

Wisconsin may have a wildcard waiting for Notre Dame... and his name is Colton Joseph.

The Badgers brought in the dual-threat quarterback from Old Dominion after a 2025 season in which Joseph rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Now, he enters a Wisconsin offense led by offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, a coach with a long history of offensive line play and a reputation for building physical, run-oriented attacks.

That combination could present a unique challenge for Notre Dame.

Can Joseph’s ability to create with his legs, paired with Grimes’ commitment to running the football, put pressure on the Irish defense? How does Notre Dame account for a quarterback who can turn a broken play into a huge gain? And could Wisconsin’s rushing attack become one of the biggest problems on the Irish schedule?

In this episode of First & Gold, we break down Wisconsin’s offensive wildcard, what Colton Joseph brings to the Badgers, and why the pairing of Joseph and Jeff Grimes could give Notre Dame plenty to think about.