By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Ann Arbor, MI

The long-running rivalry between Michigan and Notre Dame will take a two-year break in 2018 and 2019 seasons but both expressed intention to resume the series in the following years.

The two-year break was revealed after the Wolverines' athletic department headed by David Brandon released future non-conference schedules for 2014-2016 Wednesday.

It was the second time that the rivalry will take a two-year hiatus. Between 1996 until 2012, the two teams also took a two-year break.

The Wolverines hold a 23-15-1 all-time edge in the series, winning their last meeting with Notre Dame, 35-31, last year in the first night game ever at the Big House. The schools will meet under the lights this year in South Bend.

"Both schools intend to resume the rivalry in the years following," Michigan said in a statement. The two teams are expected to resume play again in 2020.

Under their current deal, either school can break off the series with a three-year notice.

Michigan is also scheduled to play three Pac-12 opponents -- Utah, Colorado and Oregon State -- from 2014-16. The Utes will visit Ann Arbor in 2014 and host Michigan in 2015 while Colorado visits the Big House in 2016. The Wolverines will also host Oregon State in 2015.

Other future non-conference games include Appalachian State (2014), Miami of Ohio (2014) and UNLV (2015).

The game against Appalachaian State will the schools' first meeting since 2007, when the FCS school stunned the Wolverines 34-32 at the Big House, blocking a field goal attempt in the final seconds.

Michigan still has two open dates for the 2016 schedule.

 

 

Michigan - Notre Dame Rivalry to Take 2-Year Break