Goodbye, Irish
![8013853601_cc06a300f6_z[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Goodbye-Irish_99C2/8013853601_cc06a300f6_z1.jpg "8013853601_cc06a300f6_z[1]")
Upchurch
AP reporter Larry Lage is, uh, reporting that ND is taking the money and running:
#NotreDame has notified#Michigan it is exercising a 3-year out in their contract, meaning their last scheduled game will be in 2014.
This is good news for insane people who hate easy road trips and competitive games with glitz disproportionate to the teams participating recently. For me, it is sad. Maybe they'll patch it up at some point in the future.
Michigan now has to scramble for a legit opponent in 2015 and 2016, but at least they can go into that looking for someone who wants a home game in odd-numbered years to help offset the Nebraska/OSU games.
All of this is the Longhorn Network's fault, of course.
September 25th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
September 25th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^
It's predictable collateral damage as a result of ND for all intents and purposes joining a conference. This gives us great opportunities to go out and schedule some interesting home and home match ups. I've been to South Bend many times. It's old. My hope is for a trip to Norman, Gainesville, or Austin. Win or lose, would be new and exciting.
September 26th, 2012 at 2:52 AM ^
September 25th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^
Michigan and ND should play EVERY year...PERIOD.
In fact, I think it should be the first game of EVERY season (I also think MSU should be the first B1G game of EVERY season and OSU should remain the last).
This is sad indeed. The 2 most prestigous schools in the country should play every single year.
Open every year with them...and schedule the home and home OPPOSITE the Ohio series. In years where you get ND at home, feel free to schedule a tough road game or neutral site game. In years where you get ND away, that tough road game should be at home.
7-8 home games every year. Always get to see ND & MSU or OSU & a decent/great non-conference at home.
This isn't rocket science. And don't change that formula. Not ever.
September 25th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
I'm sad if it turns out we're not playing ND anymore after 2014. Notre Dame v. Michigan is a throw-the-record-books-out, big name game no matter if one or both of the programs are up or down. That being said, I am sick of Notre Dame's high handed manner. May their eventual landing in the ACC explode in their face.
TO HELL WITH NOTRE DAME
September 25th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
i hate notre dame, but that's largely because i grew up with the rocket and tim brown-era of ND and the subsequent redemption with elvis to desmond and remy hamilton.
my first game in michigan stadium was when i was 13 against notre dame in 1993. my dad asked me if i could pick one game to go to, what would it be. i said notre dame without question! i'll never forget our seats--we were the last row before the notre dame section, and the ND students were fairly classy though also annoying. there was a boy about 5 years younger than me sitting in our row, and he cheered for both schools. one of the ND students asked his mom why he cheered for both teams to score, and she said "these are his two favorite teams." i remember thinking that was the most impossible stance one could have on this game.
after going through the late 90s and 00s with notre dame being terrible and ohio excelling in the tressel era, the mystique of the rivalry faded. i also think nbc's contract had something to do with that, which just felt ridiculously annoying. it would be like michigan playing notre dame on the BTN.
but with both teams seemingly moving in the right direction, i did hold out hope for another bo vs. lou kind of environment. guess my kids will just have to focus their hate on ohio and mich state. as much as i hated nd fan's arrogance, they are mostly a classy bunch. they are a lot like michigan fans, except they are eternal optimists (while we are eternal pessimists)
September 25th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
I'm insanely pleased with this news.
September 25th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
I am glad that Notre Dame did this since it reveals who they really are. Notre Dame is in every football relationship for themselves only. They have used the Big Ten by scheduling M, MSU, Purdue and other B10 universities every year, especially allowing their alumni to dictate to their administration to not join the B10 when invited a decade ago.
They have used the Big East by having all other sports be a member of this slowly dying league while football has remained an independent.
Now they have signed into a relationship with the ACC where all sports (exluding football, hockey and one other) will be full members and football will schedule five ACC schools per year, while the IRish get to continue playing on NBC and rake in big bucks. The ACC from a football standpoint will not be recognized as a super power when mega-conference realignment comes down the road.
Notre Dame has always acted arrogant, superior and like the only child that has never had to share with a sibling.
Bo had it correct... to hell with them.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
nd not only believes they can do whatever they want ... they actually then DO whatever they want.
Go Blue!
September 25th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
I saw Florida mentioned and while I would like that, they already play FSU each year OOC. I'm not sure if Florida wants to have two potentially very tough games be on their non-conf schedule.
Georgia might be a possible. They play GA Tech (and Southern and LA Tech), and while they are a decent program, they are not a big name.
UCLA could work - they have Virginia/Rutgers, Nevada and UNLV in 2015/2016 so they might want a big name. We have a lot of S CA alums, and CA is a potentially big recruiting state.
Alabama is likely not an option. They already play MSU in 2016/2017, so they won't want to come to the state two years in a row.
Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Miami and LSU are not options (e.g., full non-conf schedules and/or already have too many big opponents.)
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/sec/georgia-bulldogs.php
September 25th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
Georgia might be a possible. They play GA Tech (and Southern and LA Tech), and while they are a decent program, they are not a big name.
[shaking my head]
September 25th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
Bad grammar on my part. I was speaking about GA Tech not being a big name (in football outside their region), and thus Georgia might be willing to schedule a big national name, such as Michigan.
Georgia, while not in the tippy-top echelon (e.g. Alabama, USC, Florida), they are right below that. Georgia is certainly a big name program.
September 25th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^
No chance with Georgia. They never travel. That one time they played Arizona State a few years back was the first time they left SEC country in decades.
September 25th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
Now they are on UVerse. I don't want to pay for this crap.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^
the BTN is on UVerse too...considering the whole Dish debacle and the fact that most TV carriers outside of the Great Lakes region don't carry BTN on a regular extended-cable lineup, I'll gladly pay "in part" for the LHN...even though I'll never watch it (I briefly put it on for 10 seconds and saw Mack brown talking. Lulz. No thank you.)
I live in Oklahoma, and now with the Dish thing I'm not sure any other TV carrier can get me the BTN. I don't know if Cox or DirecTV could do it, but I'm pretty sure they don't.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
Brian, this is Notre Dame's fault, not Dave Brandon's not Texas, the Big 12 etc., just Notre Dame. I enjoyed the rivalry, it's over now move on.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
If I was Dave Brandon I would send a return letter to ND, stating that after next year's game that we are pulling out of the series. This just shows how big the ego of ND really is. They finally beat us in a game in which our offense arguably played its worst game since Bo, and they now think they are in a position of higher standing to cancel the series. In addition to having the last home game in South Bend. What does Michigan get out of playing a team that continually is a national disaster, and yet is rewarded for mediocrity with a NBC deal. Willingham, Weiss and Kelly all have been a debacle so far. Sure we had RR, but we found someone who fits the mold instantly who wasn't the hottest name on the market, unlike ND's approach. Their recruits enter their Freshman year with 5 stars and leave after their Junior year with 3 DUIs, a police record or transfer within 18 months to a community college in Florida or KSU. Enjoy your home and home series with Duke and Wake.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
According to mgoblue.com:
The Irish informed Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon prior to kickoff of the match-up Saturday (Sept. 22) in South Bend, Ind.
What goes around, comes around. I'd love for Brandon to "inform Notre Dame director of athletics Jack Swarbrick prior to kickoff of the match-up Saturday (Sept. 7, 2013) in Ann Arbor Mich." I guess that's just petty on my part. But I'm not happy about this.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:11 PM ^
Alot of the posters said ND was no longer any good and Michigan should schedule a tougher OOC team. Now, they apparently have their wish and they are not happy. I guess one should indeed be careful about what they wish for as it may come true.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
i always got more excited for ND week than sparty week. i hate sparty more, but for whatever reason (most likely because i literally do not know one actual sparty fan) i always look forward to ND week more.
hopefully they at least get home/homes with someone fun.
September 25th, 2012 at 8:29 PM ^
Me too. If you don't live in Michigan, Sparty week is just something to get through without losing. There is no mystique.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
with a worthy big-name opponent for home-and-away games. I'll believe it when I see it. I think we're going to end up with the likes of Memphis or New Mexico or Tulsa or Arkansas State for one-off home games. Playing between the hedges at Georgia, down in Baton Rouge, or in Austin will remain an absurd fantasy for me.
September 25th, 2012 at 6:20 PM ^
September 25th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
As mentioned above, Georgia is one possibility. But the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, USC, LSU, Florida, FSU are pretty unlikely. So too many of the next tier of teams (eg Virginia Tech has already announced home and homes with the likes of tOSU and Wisconsin).
There's one good possibility, however: Auburn. I could cope with a home and home vs those Tigers. At present they seem to have no-one scheduled.
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/sec/auburn-tigers.php
Even so: home and homes aren't the same as a regular rival. It will be good to get back together with ND so let's hope that happens.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
They seem to reguarly field an upper tier team in the SEC. I would really like is to play quality teams from the other big conferences every season. Yeah we might get beaten more, but the only way to be the best is to beat the best.
I was a proponent of renewing the series back in the 70s. It was a big deal then, most fans viewed it as a rivalry even though the teams had rarely played. Lots of history and, while ND may have benefited more than Michigan, it has been a good game for us as well. I'm sorry to see it go. Based on past history I would not expect to see it resume in 2020.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
That ND doesn't come back on our schedule in 2020. There have been huge breaks in the series because someone got pissed off. This is one of those instances where the schools are clearly not happy with each other and/or circumstances are just working against continuing the series. I'm fine with it.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
Oklahoma and Texas currently have openings in their schedules for 2015-2016. That's a home and home waiting to happen.
Honestly, after us not playing 8 home games for several years, I can see DB doing a directional school/MAC opponent or guarunteed game with a MW/WAC/BE school during a two year stretch to up revenue, and then make a splash in 2017-2018. Or splashyness in 2015-2016, and then shameless money grabs in 2017-2018.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:21 PM ^
September 25th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
Swarbrick hands the termination letter to Brandon on the field before the game.
Sort of a dick move if you ask me.
Hopefully Brandon asked him how the Irish practice video lifts are holding up this year.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:13 PM ^
As I said above, I'd love for Brandon to schedule another game on the ND date in 2014, and hand Swarbrick a letter informing him of the termination at kickoff of the ND game Sept. 7, 2013. It would be worth a financial penalty. (of course, those are cheap words, since it isn't my money.)
September 25th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
One door closes another one opens.This gives us an opportunity to schedule a varity of opponets.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
September 25th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^
I vote for this and then Oklahoma State home and home in 2016-2017. I would really like to see us play West Virginia at soom point in the near future too.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
Keep Sparty and dump us. I guess they figure in the long run Sparty will be Sparty, and are terrified of Brady's team in the future.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
is a nice tomato can to replace us
September 25th, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
To hell with Notre Dame. I really hope that ACC deal was worth it.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
PAC 12- UCLA, Washington
Big 12- Texas, Oklahoma State
SEC- Mizzou, Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina
ACC- North Carolina, Pitt, Georgia Tech
I have always wanted Michigan to start a series with Pitt. Only 4 hours away and get to play in a great venue in Pittsburgh.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
I believe they have the second most wins in football, just ahead of ND. Texas is deep in tradition, a solid academic school, has a huge following. They also just dropped Texas A& M, a long time rival, so maybe they could work us in. We are 0-1 lifetime against them so it would be nice to get another crack at them.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
Just as long as Vince Young II doesn't play for them against Michigan. F- that. In case anyone forgot or just likes to watch sh-tty things:
September 25th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
I don't understand why people think SEC teams will play home and homes? With the exception of LSU, they mostly don't. They like to stay close to home and beat on cupcakes.
September 25th, 2012 at 8:36 PM ^
But . . . but . . . but, they're the mighty SEC. No other teams can hold a candle to them. Why not go up to Michigan in September and watch some pretty leaves and come home with an easy win? It's that easy, right?
September 25th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
I hope we never schedule them again - in any sport.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
Opens the door for App State III-V in 2015-17.
September 25th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
this marriage is ending...
Swarbrick says ND is hoping for an annulment.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^
The ND game was always circled on my calendar. Loved this rivalry. And apparently the public agrees - Saturday's game pulled 4.0 rating. Biggest of the weekend.
I hate this.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
as Florida and Florida State not playing each other, or Texas/Oklahoma when they weren't in the same conference.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:37 PM ^
So many good rivalries have died recently. And it sucks.
Texas - Texas AM
Oklahoma - Nebraska
Michigan - Notre Dame
These are games everyone would watch. Because they were classic.
I hope ND enjoys it's showdowns with Maryland and Syracuse and NC State. And I hope those ACC teams enjoy it when ND leapfrogs the standings to scoop their best bowl bids.
Friggin Notre Dame. Here's hoping Michigan puts 60+ on them in 2014.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^
with Kansas! It'll be kind of like playing ND, since Charlie Weis is there! It would just be a shame if he went the rest of his career without playing Michigan again, wouldn't it?
September 25th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^
TO. HELL. WITH. NOTRE. DAME.
September 25th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
Comments