Michigan, Notre Dame Announce Football Series For 2018, 2019
One of college football’s most storied rivalries will resume in 2018.
Michigan and Notre Dame announced Thursday that the two teams will play a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019, with the Irish hosting the Wolverines on Sept. 1, 2018.
In a return game, the Irish will play in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Oct. 26, 2019.
“Today is a great day for Notre Dame, Michigan and college football fans across the country,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. “Shortly after Warde Manuel was hired as Michigan’s athletic director, he and I began working to make this renewal of the series possible. That we could get games on the schedule as soon as ’18 and ’19 required a lot of work by our staffs and some great cooperation by the Big Ten, ACC and other schools that were on our future schedules.
“While the schedule commitments of both Notre Dame and Michigan make an annual series impractical, we’re optimistic that additional games can be scheduled in the future.”
Michigan leads the all-time series against Notre Dame, 24-17-1. The teams last played in 2014 at Notre Dame Stadium, a 31-0 victory for the Irish in Brady Hoke’s final season at Michigan.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is 2-3 against Michigan.
"I’m excited to see Notre Dame and Michigan, two brand-name programs, get back together on the football field,” Kelly said in a statement. “Both programs have a long and storied history of success. We’re talking about the two winningest programs in all of college football.
“We’ve wanted to make this happen for quite some time. We wouldn’t be able to make today’s announcement without the work from Jack (Swarbrick) and other members of our administration. This is a win for everyone involved, not just those at either institution, but both fan bases and fans across the entire college football landscape.”
Notre Dame opted out of the series in 2012, canceling games in 2015-17. At the time, the Irish said it was a precaution as the school began its partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Now, the Wolverines are led by John Harbaugh, who led Michigan to wins over Notre Dame in 1985 and 1986 as a starting quarterback.
"This is a game that holds great significance for the student-athletes and coaches who compete on the field," Manuel said in a statement. "A great deal of credit goes to Coach Harbaugh and Coach Kelly for initiating the discussion of scheduling this series. This rivalry is also important for the fans of both programs, and we look forward to renewing one of college football's great rivalries."
The Irish hold a 10-9-1 advantage in games played at home and the Wolverines hold a 14-7 record in Ann Arbor.
"The competition between Michigan and Notre Dame has created a fair, healthy and productive rivalry over time, and it brings out the best in both programs," Harbaugh, said in a statement. "We look forward to facing Coach Brian Kelly and the Irish in the coming years."
To make room for the game, Michigan canceled a series with Arkansas. In the release, Michigan states that it will "fulfill the obligations set forth in the contract." According to Ryan Krasnoo of Sports Illustrated, that's costing the Wolverines $2 million.
Michigan's Big Ten home game against Rutgers was moved to Sept. 28, 2019 to make room for the Notre Dame game.