Quarterback Devin Gardner will lead the Michigan offense against Notre Dame in the final game of their annual rivalry. Photo/Wikimedia
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]aturday will see an era come to an end, and with it, one of the greatest college football rivalries in Michigan and Notre Dame. At least, for now.
In 2012, Notre Dame informed Michigan that they would be opting out of a contract signed in 2007 that would see the rivalry continue through 2031. Michigan insisted on a provision to the contract that added a rollover year, or another game, each time a game was played. Michigan’s insistence was in large part due to any implications a ninth Big Ten game could have on the school at the time.
The Irish opted out of the contract due to implications of their own with the ACC. While the football team is still independent, as part of the school’s move to the ACC in other sports, the Irish are contractually obligated to play four ACC schools a year in football.
“Given the complexities of our schedule in not being able to play Michigan, it opens up so many more exciting opportunities for us,” Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly said. “The Texas opportunity, Georgia, so, look, we understand the great tradition and the rivalry of the Michigan game, and if it could have worked, it would have worked, but it does open up some pretty exciting games in the future.”
While the annual game is suspended with no return in sight, the Wolverines and Irish may still meet up during the bowl season or college football playoffs, rekindling the fire of the rivalry even if for one night.
But what’s up for grabs this weekend in South Bend? The answer: bragging rights.
“We’re excited about the opportunity Saturday,” Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke said in his press conference this week. “It’s one of the great rivalries and it will be fun and a great atmosphere.”
The Wolverines and Irish have a rivalry that dates back to 1887, with Michigan leading all-time at 24-16-1. The series has had moments in the past where it has stopped, though the series has been steady since 1978.
Since the last restart, Michigan leads 15-14-1, however, the series is deadlocked in South Bend at 9-9-1. The winner of Saturday’s game will decide the better record at Notre Dame Stadium.
Everett Golson shined in his return to the Fighting Irish. They will look to continue building momentum as they head deeper into the season. Photo/UND.com (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
Michigan is one of only 13 teams that have a winning record against Notre Dame, and the Wolverines’ eight-win edge in the series is the highest win differential in any of those series. However, with Notre Dame’s bowl win, they passed Michigan in winning percentage last year, a stat the Irish brag about.
“I think those are important elements of a successful, longstanding football program,” Kelly said of the stat. “It’s something, certainly, that we talk about in recruiting, in terms of the elite programs and the tradition of our program. It doesn’t help us right now, but certainly it’s something that when you’re talking about the great programs of all time it’s something that we’re very proud of.”
Since Hoke has taken over as head coach at Michigan, the Wolverines are 2-1 with that sole loss happening in South Bend.
Last year, Michigan handed Notre Dame a 41-30 defeat at home. Quarterback Devin Gardner led the offense in that meeting, throwing for 294 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Gardner also rushed for 82 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
Jeremy Gallon caught eight of Gardner’s 21 completed passes, totaling 184 yards and three touchdowns.
Thomas Rees led the Irish, completing 29-of-51 attempts in the air for 314 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Michigan totaled 460 yards total on offense while Notre Dame fell short with 410 yards.
“Moving into Michigan, I think we all know, you know, the kind of game that we’re going to play here with this opponent,” Kelly said. “Each team knows each other very well. Certainly, they’ve been great games.”
Adding to the implications Saturday’s match has on the rivalry between the two schools, the outcome could also impact the season of both teams.
Michigan faces just three opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 right now – Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame. Since taking the reigns at Michigan, Hoke has been criticized by fans and pundits alike for not winning big on the road. Notre Dame is the first of three chances the coach has this year to do just that.
While the Irish aren’t in the position they were the last time they beat Michigan – during their 2012 run to the BCS title game – a loss to the Wolverines could cause their season derail early.
Michigan is seen as the first real challenge of the season for Notre Dame, and likewise possibly the most winnable of those challenges. Notre Dame is slated to face six opponents in the AP Top 25, including the defending national champions Florida State.
“Certainly for me, it’s an exciting game, one that gets everybody’s attention,” Kelly said.” But, you know, I will tell you that the games that we have this year on this schedule force you to really be balanced the way you look at the schedule. If it was Michigan and then a bunch of “1 A” teams coming up, that would be fine, but we have such a daunting schedule that it forces you to keep a balance when you look at it from week to week.”
While the return of quarterback Everett Golson is promising – he threw for 295 yards and attributed to five total touchdowns in the Irish’s season opener against Rice – suspensions and injuries plague the Irish heading into the season.
But neither team is focused on anything past this weekend. The Irish and the Wolverines will do battle one last time in a battle of superiority between two historical powerhouses with bragging rights on the line.
“I think two programs that have such great pride that they’re going to battle and fight to the very end,” Kelly said. “These are the two winningest programs in college football, and that’s for a reason. There is an immense amount of pride, both teams want to win this football game and that’s why regardless of what the teams’ records are and what the personnel looks like, there is just great pride in both programs.”
