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College Football: Top 15 rivalry games we’d like to see return in 2020

By David Glancy

COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies attempts to catch a pass against Carrington Byndom #23 of the Texas Longhorns in the first half of a game at Kyle Field on November 24, 2011 in College Station, Texas. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies attempts to catch a pass against Carrington Byndom #23 of the Texas Longhorns in the first half of a game at Kyle Field on November 24, 2011 in College Station, Texas. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Running Back Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines jumps over Notre Dame defenders during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Running Back Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines jumps over Notre Dame defenders during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

7. Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Games played: 44
Series record: Michigan leads 25-17-1
Last played: 2019
Next meeting: 2033

While the Notre Dame-Michigan game lacks the consistency of some of college football’s great rivalries, the name power, origins, and current day appeal, make this one of the most decorated rivalries in the game.

The rivalry dates back to 1887 when Notre Dame played their first ever football game against Michigan after being instructed on how to play by Michigan players shortly before the first matchup. Michigan would go on to win the first eight contests, including the first three games which were played in a six month span between 1887-88.

The series hit a turning point in 1942, when the two programs met for the first time in 33 years with a No. 6 Michigan team defeating a now-power No. 4 Notre Dame. The two met again the following season, with No. 1 Notre Dame defeating No. 2 Michigan, giving the Wolverines their only loss on the season. The Fighting Irish would end the season losing to Great Lakes Navy (no not the Naval Academy) finishing the year at 9-1, but as No. 1 in the AP poll and a fourth title.

The series once again went on hiatus until the 1978 season where the two would go on to play each September, almost annually until 2014. With legendary coaches on the sidelines such as Bo Schembechler and Lou Holtz and programs consistently ranked in the top 25, if not the top 10, the rivalry was one of the most intriguing games of the season and was always a highly-viewed early season contest with national implications on the line.

While the rivalry has lost the intensity recently with neither of college football’s top five programs winning a title since 1997 and the series entering the longest break since the halt between 1943-1978, the game continue to feature as one of college football’s marquee matchups.

With plenty of history between the two from Notre Dame’s first game, the Fighting Irish nickname, a contested title and boycotts which ultimately kept them as an Independent, the history and name power is still there.

As natural rivals with two of the game’s most storied history, an early season contest between Jim Harbaugh’s and Brian Kelly’s programs would still bring the entertainment.

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