Notre Dame cancels series with Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI – Notre Dame has decided to opt out of its series with Michigan after the 2014 season.

The teams will still play each of the next two years -- once in Ann Arbor and once in South Bend -- but the scheduled games for 2015, 2016 and 2017 were canceled by the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame, although independent in football, is set to leave the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference. One of the stipulations of its new agreement calls for the Fighting Irish to play at least five football games per season against members of the ACC, leaving only seven dates for other matchups.

"The decision to cancel games in 2015-17 was Notre Dame's and not ours," said Michigan athletic director David Brandon on Tuesday. "We value our annual rivalry with Notre Dame, but will have to see what the future holds for any continuation of the series. This cancellation presents new scheduling opportunities for our program and provides a chance to create some new rivalries."

Notre Dame and Michigan have met 40 times in football, including each year since 2002, and had been considered one of the Wolverines' chief rivals -- along with Michigan State and Ohio State. The Wolverines own a 23-16-1 record against the Irish, including this past Saturday's 13-6 loss in South Bend.

The Fighting Irish have other long-standing rivalries that will likely be continued, including those against Southern California, Army and Navy.