If you walk into a bar in Ann Arbor or South Bend today, you’ll notice something weird. Even though these two teams haven't hit the turf together since 2019, the tension is still thick enough to cut with a dull knife. People talk about Ohio State or USC as the "main" rivals, but um vs notre dame football is the game that actually defines the soul of the Midwest. It’s a civil war between the two winningest programs in history.
Honestly, it’s a tragedy we have to wait until 2033 to see it again.
That’s not a typo. The next scheduled meeting isn't for another seven years. In a world of 24-hour sports cycles and NIL chaos, that feels like an eternity. But to understand why people are still obsessed with this matchup, you have to look at the pettiness. This isn't just a game; it’s a century-long argument about who invented the sport and who’s just borrowing it.
The 1887 Spark and the "Teaching" of the Game
Most rivalries start with a geographic dispute. This one started with a lesson. Back in 1887, Michigan actually traveled to South Bend to teach the Notre Dame students how to play the game. Michigan won 8-0. They won the next eight after that, too.
Then things got salty.
Fielding Yost, the legendary Michigan coach, basically tried to blackball Notre Dame from joining the Big Ten (then the Western Conference). He thought they were beneath Michigan. That's the kind of high-level shade that lasts for generations. When the Irish finally beat the Wolverines in 1909, Yost was so annoyed he canceled the series for decades.
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You’ve got to love that level of commitment to a grudge.
By the time the series finally became a regular occurrence again in 1978, the world had changed, but the mutual dislike hadn't. Since that "Reunion" game, the series has been remarkably close. Michigan leads the all-time series 25–17–1, but if you ask a Notre Dame fan, they’ll remind you about the 31-0 shutout in 2014. If you ask a Michigan fan, they’ll point to the 45-14 beatdown in the pouring rain in 2019.
Why um vs notre dame football keeps disappearing
Why don't they play every year? It’s complicated. Basically, it’s a mix of conference politics and scheduling math. When Notre Dame signed their deal with the ACC to play five games a year against that conference, something had to give. Michigan, meanwhile, has a nine-game Big Ten schedule.
Add in the fact that both teams want to keep their traditional "end-of-year" rivals—Ohio State for Michigan, USC for Notre Dame—and the calendar just runs out of room.
It sucks for the fans.
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There is a specific kind of energy in a night game at the Big House or under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus that you just don't get when Michigan plays Rutgers or Notre Dame plays Rice. The 2011 game in Ann Arbor is a perfect example. It was the first night game in Michigan Stadium history. Denard Robinson basically willed the Wolverines to a 35-31 victory in the final seconds. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was everything college football is supposed to be.
The Statistical War
- Total Meetings: 44
- Michigan Wins: 25
- Notre Dame Wins: 17
- Ties: 1
- Largest Michigan Victory: 38-0 (happened twice, 2003 and 2007)
- Largest Notre Dame Victory: 31-0 (2014)
It’s worth noting that the NCAA vacated one of Notre Dame’s wins due to sanctions, but on the field, the Irish have had their moments of absolute dominance.
The 2033-2034 Renewal: What to Expect
The University of Michigan and Notre Dame finally agreed to a home-and-home series for 2033 and 2034. Mark your calendars: September 3, 2033, in Ann Arbor and September 2, 2034, in South Bend.
By then, the players who will suit up for those games are currently in elementary school. The landscape of the sport will be unrecognizable. We might be looking at a 24-team playoff by then, or maybe conferences won't even exist anymore. But the helmets will still look the same. The winged helmet versus the gold leaf.
That’s the draw.
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People act like the hiatus makes the rivalry less relevant. I’d argue it does the opposite. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or in this case, more bitter. Every year they don’t play, the fans just spend more time arguing on message boards about who is actually the "blue blood" of college football.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're feeling the void left by the lack of um vs notre dame football on your Saturday schedule, there are ways to keep the fire burning. Don't just wait for 2033.
First, keep an eye on the transfer portal. In 2026, the movement of players between these two schools is more common than it used to be. A backup quarterback at Michigan today could be the starter at Notre Dame tomorrow. That adds a weird, personal layer to the rivalry even when they aren't on the schedule.
Second, watch the recruiting trail. This is where the game is played every single day. Both schools target the same elite four- and five-star prospects in the Midwest and nationally. When Michigan flips a Notre Dame commit, or vice versa, it’s a win in the columns.
Finally, dive into the archives. The 1989 "Rocket" Ismail game or the 2011 "Under the Lights" game are essential viewing. Understanding the history makes the eventual return in 2033 feel like a massive event rather than just another non-conference game.
Check the future schedules of both teams to see how they are filling the gaps. Michigan has been loading up on Big Ten opponents like Oregon and Washington, while Notre Dame continues its ACC rotation alongside big-time matchups with teams like Texas and Alabama. The rivalry is on ice, but the programs are as healthy as they've ever been.
Get your tickets early for 2033. They’ll probably be the most expensive seats in the history of either stadium. Until then, just keep arguing. It’s what Yost would have wanted.