No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish host Rice Owls in the 2026 home opener at Notre Dame Stadium. The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Game Overview and Hot Topic Summary
Irish Host Owls in Home Opener
Notre Dame announced the home opener against Rice on September 11, 2026. The matchup marks the first home game of the season for the Irish. Rice enters as an underdog on the road.
No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Rice Owls matchup preview
Notre Dame is ranked No. 3 nationally entering week two. Rice comes from Conference USA with an emphasis on ball control offense. The spread favors Notre Dame by double digits.
Date, time, and location for the 2026 home opener
Date: September 19, 2026. Time: 3:30 p.m. ET. Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana. Gates open three hours before kickoff.
How to Watch Rice vs Notre Dame Live
TV Channel broadcast information
U.S. broadcast is on NBC. The game is also carried on NBC Sports regional affiliates. Check local listings for confirmation.
Live Stream options for NCAA College Football
Peacock streams the game live in the U.S. NBC Sports app requires cable authentication. One Foot Down provides a game thread with live updates.
| Platform | U.S. TV | Live Stream | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC | Yes | Peacock, NBC Sports App | Primary national broadcast |
| SiriusXM | No | Radio stream | Notre Dame IMG Sports Network |
| International | Varies | Peacock International, NBC Sports Gold | Availability by region |
Radio and international streaming access
Radio coverage is on the Notre Dame IMG Sports Network. SiriusXM channel 132 carries the feed. International viewers can access via Peacock.
Game Thread and Real-Time Coverage
GAME THREAD: No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Rice Owls
One Foot Down hosts a live game thread for the matchup. The thread opened on September 17, 2026. Fans post play-by-play and commentary.
Live score updates and quarter-by-quarter analysis
Scores update in real time on the official Notre Dame athletics site. Quarter summaries track yards and turnovers. Hots Insight will publish post-game analysis.
Fan reactions and community discussion on One Foot Down
Community discussion centers on offensive line play and Rice’s defense. Comments are moderated. The thread remains active after final whistle.
Team Preview and Key Storylines
Notre Dame Fighting Irish strengths and home opener form
Notre Dame features a veteran quarterback and strong defense. Home crowd at Notre Dame Stadium is a factor. The Irish won the home opener last season.
Rice Owls outlook and key players to watch
Rice relies on a disciplined run game. The Owls’ secondary is untested against top offenses. Key players include the starting quarterback and top receiver.
Betting odds and predictions
Notre Dame is favored by 24.5 points. Over/under is set at 52.5. Predictions favor a Notre Dame win.
Essential Fan Information
Stadium entry, parking, and Notre Dame Stadium guide
Bags are limited to 12x12x6 inches. Parking lots open four hours before kickoff. Shuttle service runs from remote lots.
Injury report and depth chart updates
The official Notre Dame site posts injury updates on Friday. Depth chart changes are confirmed pre-game. Rice injury report is available via Conference USA.
Post-game highlights and recap links
Highlights post on NBC Sports YouTube within one hour. Official recap is published on fightingirish.com. Extended coverage appears on Hots Insight.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When is the Rice vs Notre Dame game in 2026?
- A: Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
- Q: How can I watch Rice vs Notre Dame live?
- A: U.S. TV broadcast is on NBC. Live stream is available on Peacock and NBC Sports app with cable authentication.
- Q: Is Rice vs Notre Dame the Irish home opener?
- A: Yes, it is Notre Dame’s first home game of the 2026 season, announced as the home opener on September 11, 2026.
- Q: What is the matchup preview for Notre Dame vs Rice?
- A: Notre Dame enters ranked No.3 nationally in week two. Rice comes from Conference USA with a ball control offense and is an underdog on the road.
Extended Reading
Irish Host Owls in Home Opener. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Official Athletics Website. https://fightingirish.com/news/2026/09/11/irish-host-owls-in-home-opener
Watch Rice vs Notre Dame. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/watch-rice-vs-notre-dame-165000353.html
GAME THREAD: No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Rice Owls. One Foot Down. https://www.onefootdown.com/notre-dame-fighting-irish-football/84610/game-thread-no-3-notre-dame-fighting-irish-vs-rice-owls