Michigan-Notre Dame recent history: Rivalry and comebacks

The Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke years felt like an eternity for Michigan fans. The program hit lower lows than most had experienced in their lifetime, and the achievements were minimal and sparse. Thankfully those days are gone, as are many of the painful memories.

However, one matchup always seemed to shine in those dark days. Facing off in every season from 2002 to 2014, Notre Dame consistently served as a barometer for Michigan’s upcoming year and often proved to be one of highlights at the end of the season. Before these two historic rivals face off this Saturday, take a quick look back at their recent encounters.

The 2009 season began with a splash as Michigan knocked off the…