Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love is ready to take the leap to the NFL. The projected top-10 or even a top-5 draft pick in this year's NFL Draft wants the Michigan Wolverines back on the Notre Dame schedule. What did Love say about the 138-year-old rivalry? 

"Jeremiyah, pick somebody to add to the schedule for Notre Dame for the next however many years to replace that, maybe not a rivalry, but just a game you’d rather have on the schedule for your team, who would that be?” questioned On3's JD PicKell.

“I’d say bring back the Michigan rivalry," the former Notre Dame running back had his answer ready. “That’d be great. You get to play against somebody in the big (Big Ten Conference), and yeah, I feel like that rivalry would be very cool."

The Michigan and Notre Dame rivalry dates back to 1887. Joel Greer of Bleacher Report calls it one of the ugliest feuds since the 1990s. The two campuses are approximately 150 miles apart from each other. It started with the Michigan Wolverines, who visited the Fighting Irish and taught them how to play football. 

The last time Michigan and Notre Dame met was on October 26, 2019. The result? Michigan took home a victory, with the game ending 45-14. When it comes to national championships, they are almost head-to-head. The Wolverines have claimed 12 national championships, while Notre Dame has sealed their name in the Natty book 11 times.

The Wolverines hold the edge and lead the all-time series between the two with a record of 25-1-17. It soon turned into a rivalry beyond the gridiron, with just 40 games played.

In 2012, Notre Dame decided to end the rivalry against Michigan in 2014. The series made a short comeback with home-and-home games in 2018 and 2019. More face-offs are lined up for 2033 and 2034.

Meanwhile, looks like Love has a soft corner for Michigan.

Did Jeremiyah Love Almost Pick the Michigan Wolverines?

Love was almost signing up for the Wolverines during the National Signing Day in 2023.

“I was literally close to going to Michigan,” he said. “But I was like, I’m committed to Notre Dame. I’m just going to stick with them.” 

Lack of communication is why Love did not pick Michigan. He shared with fellow St. Louis native Fredrick Moore that once he committed to the Fighting Irish, the conversation around him faded.

“That’s probably why I didn’t go,” Love said. “Nobody contacted me.” 

Even though he was overlooked by Michigan, Love became unstoppable at Notre Dame. Honoring his pledge to Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish, rewrote the record books with 21 rushing touchdowns.

Even though he has proved himself enough, he still wants to see a renewed rivalry between Michigan and Notre Dame. What do you think about it? Share in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar