Harbaugh open to Notre Dame matchup
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t say much in Tuesday’s Big Ten teleconference. But what he did say about reuniting its rivalry with Notre Dame is significant.
When asked about the possibility of playing the Irish again, Harbaugh said that “he’d probably have to have a conversation about that with coach (Brian) Kelly first,” but he would be open to it.
Harbaugh’s comments came a week after Kelly was asked about the subject on “The Rich Eisen Show.” Kelly gave even more backing to the idea that the rivalry — which won’t take place in 2015 for the first time in 14 years — will be reignited.
He said that talks of schedule future meetings with Michigan were trending up, and that they were going to be working hard to see if they could get that done. Kelly predicted that the two teams would meet again.
Notre Dame was the one to blame for refusing to continue the rivalry beyond 2014. Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke infamously said the Irish was “chickening out.”
Despite falling 37-0 last year in South Bend, Michigan still holds on to the all-time series lead 24-17-1. Harbaugh did play for Michigan in two games against Notre Dame in 1985 and 1986.
The Wolverines’ earliest non-conference opening isn’t until 2018, but no timetable has been set between the two teams to make a decision.