Michigan and Notre Dame to resume playing in 2018

The hiatus in the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry isn’t going to last for very long.

Reports emerged Wednesday evening that the two were eyeing a return and they were confirmed Thursday.

The resumption isn’t much of a surprise. Both Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly had made their desires public for the rivalry to return.

This is a game that holds great significance for the student-athletes and coaches who compete on the field,” Michigan athletic director Warde 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.”

Michigan and Notre Dame last played in 2014 and had played every year since 2002. Notre Dame won the 2014 game 31-0. That season was the final one for Brady Hoke as Michigan’s coach. The Wolverines lead the overall series 24-17-1.

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In addition to adding Notre Dame in 2018, Michigan canceled a series it had with Arkansas for those two seasons. The Wolverines were set to open the 2018 season against the Razorbacks, though Arkansas was just one of two non-conference games (SMU being the other) on Michigan’s schedule in 2018. Per FBSchedules.net, Michigan had one opening in each of the two seasons.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema was bummed about losing the Michigan game.

“I’m definitely disappointed,” Bielema told the Chicago Tribune. “It was going to be an opportunity to play one of my favorite teams from the Big Ten.”

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long skipped the jokes in his statement. Per WholeHogSports, Michigan told Arkansas of the cancellation via email Wednesday evening.

“Primarily we are disappointed in Michigan’s timing in pulling out of a non-conference football series between the SEC and the Big Ten that’s been set for four years,” Long said. “While there are many other quality opponents that would help us strengthen our non-conference schedule, the late notice of Michigan’s cancellation makes securing those games substantially more difficult. Our focus will be to find a program that welcomes the opportunity to compete against a nationally respected program in the most competitive conference in college football.”

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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