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Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs Michigan

By Connor McJunkin

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Dylan McCaffrey #10 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to outrun the tackle of Daelin Hayes #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 24-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Dylan McCaffrey #10 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to outrun the tackle of Daelin Hayes #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 24-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Ian Book #12 of Notre Dame football throws a pass against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Coming off a bye week after their victory over USC two weeks ago, Notre Dame football returns for a highly-anticipated matchup vs No. 19 Michigan.

It doesn’t get much better than Notre Dame football vs. Michigan when it comes to blue blood, hard-nosed college football. Since last year’s season opener in South Bend, a matchup that saw the Irish win 24-17 and kick start their undefeated regular season, both programs have had their relative success and bumps in the road.

Notre Dame, of course, ended the season in the CFP, while Michigan took back-to-back beatdowns at the hands of Ohio State and Florida. After avoiding an upset to Army and dropping two games to Wisconsin and Penn State, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines enter Saturday’s contest trying to salvage their season and knock off a highly ranked, hated rival.

The Irish have done what they’ve needed to thus far after dropping a close game to then-ranked No. 3 Georgia in Athens in week four. After a close win over USC two weeks ago, Brian Kelly and his staff are focused on what could be the last ranked opponent on this year’s schedule.

While the hype around this game isn’t as prominent as it has been recently, or even what is was during the offseason when Michigan was highly ranked, this game — this rivalry — still carries a lot of weight and implications for both teams moving forward.

Everything else aside, it’s still Notre Dame vs Michigan — one of the best rivalries in college football and a matchup that is always circled on each team’s schedule.

Buckle up, lock in, and get ready for game day. Here are the top storylines to watch for Saturday night.

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