Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Rivalries - Michigan

Michigan

Main article: Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry

Notre Dame and Michigan first played in 1887 in Notre Dame's introduction to football. The Wolverines proceeded to win the first eight contests, before losing in 1909, the final game in the series until 1942, when the Wolverines defeated the Fighting Irish. On October 9, 1943, top-ranked Notre Dame defeated second-ranked Michigan in the first matchup of top teams since the institution of the AP Poll in 1936. After that, the series again was halted. It resumed in 1978 and has been contested every year since, with the exception of hiatuses in 1983–84, 1995–96, and 2000–01. In the aftermath of the ACC deal, the current series with Michigan will terminate after the 2014 game. Including the 2012 game, Michigan leads the overall series 23–16–1; since 1978, the series is even at 14–14–1. The rivalry is heightened by the two schools' competitive leadership atop the college football all-time winning percentage board, as well as its competition for the same type of student-athletes.