Notre Dame cancels 2015-17 football games vs. Michigan

By Kevin Kelley -
Notre Dame-Michigan
Notre Dame has canceled the 2015-17 games vs. Michigan. Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have canceled future football games against the Michigan Wolverines in 2015, 2016, and 2017, the AP has reported.

Through a freedom of information request, the AP found that Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick sent a letter to Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon exercising a three-year out in their contract.

Notre Dame and Michigan are still scheduled to meet each year through 2031, with the exception of 2018 and 2019. Their last game under the current contract is set for Sept. 6, 2014 in South Bend.

In a press release, Michigan stated that the future of the games set for 2020-2031 “…has yet to be determined.”

Beginning in 2014, the Fighting Irish will play five ACC schools per year. With that commitment and their desire to play Navy, Stanford, and USC annually, Notre Dame doesn’t have much room left on their schedule.

Notre Dame also has long-term commitments with Michigan State and Purdue. Those contracts could also be targets for modification or cancellation.

Although the Notre Dame-Michigan series is widely recognized as a big rivalry, the two schools have only played 40 times. Michigan leads the overall series 23-16-1.

“The decision to cancel games in 2015-17 was Notre Dame’s and not ours,” said UM athletics director Dave Brandon. “We value our annual rivalry with Notre Dame but will have to see what the future holds for any continuation of the series. This cancellation presents new scheduling opportunities for our program and provides a chance to create some new rivalries.”

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Comments (18)

If they also bounce BYU from the schedule, BYU and UM might be able to work something out. Also Florida has 9-12-15 open and appears to need a road game.

Arrogant Notre Dame. Michigan (and all Big 10 teams) should cancel any and all scheduled games they have with the Irish in ANY sport.

Big ten is !@#$ so i don’t blame Notre Dame gotta do what you gotta do %^&* Michigan.

Comment edited by admin for profanity.

Mr Crow is too emotional. The Big East has collapsed. ND needs a conferance. The best deal they could get is the ACC. As part of the deal the ACC has requirements – 5 games a year on a rotating basis. ND has no choice. Some previously scheduled games have to go. Try to be practical.

BYU and Michigan should schedule a three-game, home-home-neutral series for 2015-2017. 2015 in Ann Arbor, 2016 in Provo, and 2017 in Arlington, Texas!

2016-17 home & home with the Ducks. Oregon can buy out of its 2017 game at Wyoming and play at the Big House instead!

Notre Dame is no more an independent football. I think in 2017 they will officially join the ACC Football Conference.

dis is f@#k up just cause da acc football teams make less then Notre Dame dey want to use Notre Dame for money only 2r3 teams n da acc make money but Notre Dame make more MONEY BY DEY SELF THEN DA WHOLE ACC!!!!!

Notre Dame could have dropped Purdue but they know that it’s easier to beat Purdue than Michigan. Who cares about Notre Dame anyway? I guarentee you that most if those boys aren’t Irish!

And I guarantee that most of Michigan’s boys aren’t wolverines! Most of them probably aren’t even from Michigan. ND can play whoever they want; just like Michigan playing Central Michigan – what a joke.