Your mega guide to the Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game
Michigan fans cheer and hold signs during a live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" program, which filmed live this morning at Ingalls Mall on U-M's central campus.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
WHERE: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
WHEN: 8 p.m. today.
ODDS: Notre Dame is favored by 3 points, according to sportsbook.com.
SERIES RECORD: Michigan leads, 22-15-1.
LAST MEETING: Michigan won 28-24 on Sept. 1, 2010. (AnnArbor.com coverage)
WEATHER: More rain possible. Latest forecast.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: TV: ESPN; Radio: Michigan Sports Network (local affiliates).
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow beat writer Kyle Meinke on Twitter @kmeinke for live updates during the game. Participate: Tweet your pics at us @annarborcom, and follow us there to see other fan photos.
MICHIGAN: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results
NOTRE DAME: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results
FAST FACTS: Michigan has won two straight games against Notre Dame and five of its last six against the Irish in Ann Arbor. … The first night game in Michigan Stadium history is the first of Notre Dame’s record five night games in 2011. … Notre Dame is 3-0 against Michigan at night, both games played in South Bend, Ind. … Michigan is 22-11 in night games, Notre Dame is 58-33-2. … Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees is 4-0 as a starter. … Notre Dame (843) trails only Texas (851) and Michigan (885) for most all-time college football wins.
RUNDOWN: As if last week's game didn't have enough theatrics.
After months of anticipation, Brady Hoke and the rest of the first-year Michigan football coaching staff led the Wolverines onto the field for their season opener -- only to have it prematurely stopped by spectacular and severe weather.
Pffft. Child's play. Week 2 has more story lines than a soap opera writers convention.
At its core: Notre Dame at Michigan. A nice, early-season rivalry game in its own right. But there's so much more. Lights and legacy uniforms and remembrances (9/11) and celebrations (Desmond Howard) and more. AnnArbor.com has been following those story lines all week. Here's a recap:
TODAY
• A surprising pre-game announcement: The NCAA will not recognize the statistics accrued during the Michigan-WMU game.
• Be sure to join our live chat from the game. It starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Thousands of fans turned out at Ingalls Mall for this morning's live broadcast of ESPN's College GameDay. We had a story and a photo gallery from the event.
• Today's weather? One word. Soggy.
• Rain has wiped out the public parking options at U-M Golf Course, Ann Arbor Golf & Outing and the grass areas at Pioneer High School.
• Michigan's Fitz Toussaint and Troy Woolfolk are dealing with previously-undisclosed injuries headed into Notre Dame matchup.
• Photo gallery: Fans flocked to get Desmond Howard's autograph.
FRIDAY
• Kirk Herbstreit -- in town with the ESPN College GameDay crew -- offered his opinions on Michigan, Brady Hoke, Notre Dame and more.
• Video: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews finds all the build-up for the inaugural night game at Michigan Stadium pretty funny, and she''s "hoping it's actually loud for once."
• Tickets are still available. If you're willing to pay the (steep) price.
• Heavy rains mean no parking for 1,500 vehicles at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing on Saturday.
• Our football beat writer, Kyle Meinke, provided this video preview focusing mainly on the teams' starting quarterbacks:
• The city of Ann Arbor will close Main Street in front of Michigan Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday because of security concerns.
• The Associated Press featured Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees, whose limited number of starts have come in iconic stadiums.
• Part of Michigan's defensive game plan: Prevent Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd from having 'just another game.'
• Nick Baumgardner looks back at five Michigan night games to remember.
• Here is a rundown of the festivities surrounding the football game.
• And, finally, we asked you:
THURSDAY
• With 10 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup last week, Michigan's Jordan Kovacs continues his ascension from student-body tryout to all-Big Ten safety.
• Pete Cunningham has a Q&A with another of last week's defensive heroes, Brandon Herron, who returned an interception and fumble recovery for touchdowns.
• Desmond Howard will be honored at halftime Saturday, but he nor athletic director Dave Brandon are spilling the beans on the details of the ceremony.
• In our weekly discussion with one of the Michigan opponent's beat writers, Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune breaks down the Irish.
• Local business owners say the Michigan-Notre Dame will deliver a big kick for the Ann Arbor economy.
• Video: Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison sat down with ESPN analyst -- and his former boss at Florida -- Urban Meyer to discuss regaining Michigan's reputation as a strong defensive team.
• Kyle Meinke conducted a lunchtime chat to close the books on Western Michigan and preview Notre Dame. Find the transcript here.
WEDNESDAY
• Greg Mattison has seen both sides of the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry. The Wolverines' defensive coordinator spent considerable time as an assistant coach on both sidelines.
• Sure, you know Denard Robinson is fast. But did you know he speaks 'Florida' ... and his teammates are fluent with his fast talking?
• Our colleague at the Grand Rapids Press, David Mayo, says Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is still learning the 'corporate' side of big-time college football.
• Another ESPN video. Brady Hoke appeared on SportsCenter and said he told the Wolverines to ignore distractions this week.
• Lloyd Carr -- along with the aforementioned Desmond Howard -- are making appearances around Ann Arbor before game Saturday.
• As of Wednesday's media availability with Hoke, he said LB Cam Gordon's status was 'up in the air' and Troy Woolfolk was good to go. (Plus plenty more info in this notebook.)
• StubHub.com released data saying the Michigan-Notre Dame game was the second most in-demand ticket this season.
• As we prepared locally for the Michigan-Notre Dame game, which will feature both teams decked out in 'legacy' uniforms, The Associated Press national sports columnist Jim Litke offers his thoughts on uniforms in the college game.
TUESDAY
• Hoke said he has a 'marathon' list of issues to correct between the WMU and ND games.
• Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he isn't opposed to more night games, but wants to see how this weekend goes first.
• Michigan coaches said the defensive line was not good enough against Western Michigan and that the Wolverines barely scratched the surface of its offense.
• Starting cornerback Troy Woolfolk worked out with heavy wrap on his sprained left ankle, and more notes from Tuesday's open practice.
• How much would you pay for a Michigan-Notre Dame football ticket? $3,500?
• More Desmond. It's a theme. Michigan and the College Hall of Fame will honor Desmond Howard on Saturday.
• Fitz Toussaint will retain starting tailback role against Notre Dame and more notes.
There will be plenty of pageantry surrounding the first night game in MIchigan Stadium history, including a special marching band performance.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Comments
Monica R-W
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.
The University of Michigan band will be awesome. Wish I could be there to see there performance!
Tom Joad
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Sorry to rain on your parade but better bring your poncho
Jim Nazium
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
Under LAST MEETING, it should say Sept. 11th, 2010, Not Sept. 1 . I should know because one year ago i got married in Ann Arbor. It was icing on the cake to see Michigan driving to win the game on the Hotel Flatscreen in the lobby as we arrived from the Law Quad after having our Pictures taken. We had to go up to the room just before making our entrance into the hall and I remember us getting off the elevator and seeing several hotel workers glued to the TV for the final few plays. I was trying to stall a bit so we could see the very end but we were running late as it was and our guest were hungry. Long story short, when we sat down and had our first glass of champagne, my best man confirmed Michigan had won... What a Perfect Day! GO BLUE!!!
WalkingJoe
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
A quote from this article, under fast facts "Notre Dame is 3-0 against Michigan at night, both games played in South Bend." I have a couple of questions. 1. What happened to the third game? 2. Or does the new online reporting mean news people think we won't notice the mistakes so they skip the editing step?
Dr. Vag
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 10:34 a.m.
I just said, "Go Irish" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3LlBBb2a6E" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3LlBBb2a6E</a>
wersch213
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 2:57 a.m.
I was just thinking to myself, "What is Corey Feldman doing reporting Michigan Football!" UM opens the full arsenal and takes down a good ND team. Final score, The Good Guys 38 - notre dame 35. "Hail to Michigan, Hail to the Maize Rage, Hail to Blue, The tried the true!"
Jason Wilson
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
This man has no confidence, is he a Michigan man? Just kidding, but seriously buddy, I have a Broadcasting degree from CMU and if you need help with the video commentary, give me a ring. Reporting on UM Football looking like a scared Corey Feldman, not good for business. Go Blue!
Mick
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
Now folks, please allow me to share with you with what I hope is seen as a Public Service Announcement by everyone who might read this. I know this isn't UM Football related but after last weeks rain out, some of you might appreciate what I'm about to type. Yesterday I had a very busy day but was fortunate after being all over San Diego County and even on the Naval Amphibious Base on Coronado Island, to be able to come home by 3:00pm after I had decided to gas up and put $50 in my gas tank. So I'm sitting in my recliner and perusing the web when the electricity went out, EVERYWHERE. From Northern Baja to Laguna Niguel to Palm Springs and Yuma Arizona and especially San Diego County, we were out, nada, nothing. That is an area that is at least as big as 75% of the Lower Peninsula in Michigan. I didn't get to see the NFL Kickoff Game, what a bummer that was. there were so many disconcerting things about what happened here, no one could put gas in their car because of "electronic" pumps, how about the irony in that? No cash? No luck, ATM's and Credit Cards weren't gonna work. Traffic lights out everywhere it took hours for people to get to their destinations. It was AWFUL and really scary. I felt compelled to share this with everyone because it really worries me that we are susceptible enough to be able to be incapacitated so easily and so quickly. Apparently some guy pressed or didn't press the right button and when he turned things back on, their was to heavy of a surge and and gonzo goes the electricity. We were out for at least 10 to 18 hrs in some cases. Many things need to be addressed about this, I would love to here others opinions on this, but I must say, it's humbling. Be prepared is my advice. P.S. I was actually worried at one point that I might not get to watch the game Saturday Night, whew!!!
Mick
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
Well Ramon Santiago hit a 2 run HR a few minutes ago and put the Tigers up 6-4 after being down 4-0 in the top of the 1st and as I type this D. Young just hit a solo shot for a 7-4 lead, they're looking good to go all the way this year IMO. The Lions are looking like they could actually become a dynasty if they stay healthy and UM playing an epic and historic match-up w/ND and even though it might not be the best two squads for both schools at this point in their history, it is still an enormously important game in the grand scheme of things. Prestige, momentum, recruiting, where the programs are or aren't heading and of course the 1st night game in our glorious history. This is an exciting time for a fan like me. I would love to see a triumvirate of big time successes for my beloved teams this year and beyond! Go Blue!!!
Mike Bush
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 1:18 a.m.
Beat ND coach hoke rich rod did last year and so can you.And dont be afraid to unleash denard if your running backs arnt getting the job done.and for the defense BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ Reese and the nd line wont pick up on it and it will create turnovers and kelly losing his mind on the sidelines.
DonAZ
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
I have one wish -- a good game, well fought, no injuries and no foolish penalties on either side. Let the best team win. Honestly, at the end of the game my wish is I look up on the final score and think, "The best team won." If that happens, then I'm happy because I got to witness one of the truly great things of our age -- warriors suiting up, doing battle, and shaking hands afterwards. That's what sport should be, and that's what the best college football still is. Go Blue ... play your best. You do that and we will all be proud of you ... win or lose.
Townie
Sat, Sep 10, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
Mega guide? How about mini guide. MGBLOG.