The Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry is set to make it’s comeback next year with a big bang. A game between these two hated rivals carries enough interest as is, but combine that with both sides’ extremely high expectations and you get an exceptional week one match-up.
After a brief hiatus, the Wolverines and Fighting Irish will come back under the lights in South Bend.
JUST IN: Our season-opening game at Notre Dame next season will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
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— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 7, 2017
This match-up very well could have College Football Playoff implications and both programs will be desperate to start the season on the right foot. Per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, it will be a battle of two top-15 recruiting classes to start the year as well.
The last time these two blue blood programs met was in 2014, when Notre Dame shut out Devin Gardner and the Wolverines offense en route to a 31-0 victory. However, the year before is what really comes to mind for Michigan fans. The 2013 game happened to be the first game under the lights at the Big House in which Denard “Shoelace” Robinson and the Wolverines did not disappoint. Perhaps the most memorable game in recent memory for this rivalry was an absolute back and forth thriller that is worth rewatching.
The 2018 edition of this game has all the makings of becoming another staple in this storied rivalry. Michigan will find out rather quickly if their quarterback, whoever it may be, is ready for the big stage.
Michigan leads the all-time series record, 24-17-1. As maize and blue fans start to become restless waiting for Jim Harbaugh’s results, this game has a whole lot of meaning and feelings behind it. As far as first week matchups go, this is a thrilling game with a lot of stories and interest behind it.
It will be one of at least two scheduled night games for Michigan in 2018; they are permitted to host one night game at the Big House next season and who knows which team(s) they travel to will schedule for a late-night kickoff.
Harbaugh and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel both shared their thoughts on the game time announcement and reunion of rivals.
“This is a game that holds great significance for the student-athletes and coaches who compete on the field,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel in a release. “A great deal of credit goes to Coach Harbaugh and Coach Kelly for initiating the discussion of scheduling this series.”
“Two of football’s premier programs, Michigan and Notre Dame, playing each other makes sense on every conceivable level and is good for football, good for the players and good for the fans,” Harbaugh wrote in a text message to the AP.
Is it September yet?
