The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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M ichigan and Notre Dame will resume their rivalry in 2018, the schools announced July 7. The Wolverines are cutting the previ- ously scheduled Arkansas game and reportedly paying a $2 million can- cellation fee and will play the Irish in South Bend in 2018, while the two will meet up in Ann Arbor in 2019. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said at the June Sound Mind, Sound Body Camp in Detroit that the re- newal was likely, and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had been push- ing for it. "I've been on board since the in- ception," Harbaugh said at the same event. "It's something that we've been working on for many months, going on seven, eight, nine months now. There are still some 'T's to cross and 'I's to dot, but I've been on board fully since the inception." Michigan and Notre Dame were slated to play 25 straight seasons before the Irish opted out of the se- ries, making the 2014 in South Bend the last. Irish Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick surprised then U-M AD David Brandon with a letter cancel- ing it, handing it to him before the 2012 contest. "I'd like to see this game happen, and I know Jim wants to make it happen," Kelly said. "We have some hurdles we have to go through, but you've got two coaches committed to making it happen. I'm sure we'll get it done, but we've got a little work. "We're shooting for trying to get it done in 2018 or 2019. For our fans, it makes sense to be a home-and-home [series]." Kelly added he would prefer a two years on, two years off deal. "It's hard for us to think in [longer] terms because we have so many com- plexities within our schedule with MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Michigan And Notre Dame To Renew Rivalry In 2018 Michigan will travel to Notre Dame to open the 2018 season on Sept. 1 and then the Irish will come to Michigan Stadium on Oct. 26, 2019. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA