Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Michigan

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 23: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

1 of 4

With the college football season finally underway, here are three bold predictions for Notre Dame football as they face off against Michigan.

It’s been a few months since Notre Dame fans were last left disappointed by another late-season collapse under head coach Brian Kelly. However, what many consider to have been a successful offseason will springboard the Irish to their Week 1 matchup with Michigan. While a matchup vs. Temple eased the Irish into the 2017 season, the same is not to be said about this year’s opener.

Talent and recent performance aside, this matchup is more than both teams being thrown to the wolves to open the season. This is the continuation of a rivalry that went 13 years straight before its discontinuation in 2015. The current series is 24-16-1 in Michigan’s favor, but the last few contests have been back and forth.

All things considered, this is going to be a statement game for both programs. While a loss here doesn’t mean elimination from playoff contention, it certainly won’t help, especially if the winner eventually fades into late-season irrelevancy. With the history of it all behind us, here are three bold predictions as this Week 1 matchup quickly approaches.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish