Michigan vs. Notre Dame: The 25 Greatest Players in Each Program's History

While Michigan and Notre Dame may not be at the level that their histories have set, both schools have high hopes for this year.

In the first week of the season, these two teams got off to different starts as Michigan defeated Western Michigan and Notre Dame lost to South Florida.

Coming into the second week of the season, these two teams are meeting up in Ann Arbor and will be playing at night for the first time in this rivalry game.

Here is a look back through both schools histories and the top 25 players to come through these historic programs.

No. 25: Chris Zorich, Notre Dame

From 1988-1990, Chris Zorich lined up on the Notre Dame defense as a defensive tackle. During his career, Zorich was a three time All-American and won the Lombardi Award in 1990.

No. 25: Steve Breaston, Michigan

While Steve Breaston's main role for the Michigan Wolverine's was to return kicks, not many did it better then he did. Throughout his career, Breaston was a constant threat to take the ball back and turn the momentum of a game around.

No. 24: Vagas Ferguson, Notre Dame

Vagas Ferguson was an outstanding running back for the Fighting Irish and played for them from 1976-1979. Furguson was named an All-American in 1979 and also left the school as its leading touchdown rusher and is currently third in rushing yards.

No. 24: John Maulbetsch, Michigan

John Maulbetsch was known for his speed while playing with Michigan and that skill earned him the nickname “Human Bullet." Maulbetsch would also be named an All-American in 1914.

No. 23: Reggie Brooks, Notre Dame

Reggie Brooks suited up for the Fighting Irish from 1989-1992. While with the Irish, Brooks played a huge part as a depth player for a few years but in 1992 he broke out as the starter.

During that 1992 season, Brooks rushed for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns. The yardage mark is still good for third in the Notre Dame single season record books.

No. 23: Anthony Thomas, Michigan

From the time that Anthony Thomas stepped on campus, until the time that he left, he made his presence known.

During his first year, Thomas helped contribute to a national title and by the time his career was over, he was the school's leader in rushing touchdowns and was second in yards and carries.

No. 22: Joe Theisman, Notre Dame

Despite playing from 1968-1971, Joe Theisman still can be found in the Notre Dame record books. Theisman is currently fifth for passing yards and had set the record for passing yards and touchdowns.

Not only was Theisman a great collegiate player but he would also go on to make Notre Dame proud in the NFL.

No. 22: Germany Schulz, Michigan

Germany Schulz's time at Michigan was split up as he played from 1904-1905 and 1907-1908. While his time was split, his production did not show it.

During his time, Schulz was an outstanding linebacker and was named to the All-American team in 1907.

No. 21: Bill Fischer, Notre Dame

Bill Fischer has quite the list of achievements from his college years with Notre Dame. While playing from 1945-1948 as a guard on the offensive line, Fischer won two national titles, was an All-American twice and also won the Outland Trophy in 1948.

No. 21: Curtis Greer, Michigan

Curtis Greer played on the Michigan defensive line from 1976-1979. During his time on the Michigan defense, Greer backed up offenses with 48 career tackles for a loss that totaled up 234 yards.

Greer was also named an All-American while with the University of Michigan.

No. 20: Jim Lynch, Notre Dame

Jim Lynch was an outstanding linebacker for Notre Dame. Lynch played from 1964-1966. During his time with the Irish, Lynch totaled up 255 tackles while also winning the Maxwell Award and a national championship.

No. 20: Lamar Woodley, Michigan

While playing for Michigan from 2003-2006, there may have been no better linebacker than Lamar Woodley.

Woodley was an outstanding pass rusher for the Wolverines, totaling 24 sacks and winning the schools only Lombardi Award.

No. 19: Justin Tuck, Notre Dame

Justin Tuck is not only an outstanding NFL player but he was a great college player at Notre Dame from 2001-2004.

While with the Irish, Tuck showed the same athleticism and speed that he has now, which helped him set the career mark for sacks and tackles for a loss.

No. 19: Tom Curtis, Michigan

Tom Curtis played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1967-1969 and was another outstanding defender in the Michigan secondary. While mainly playing at the safety position, Curtis holds the school record for most interceptions in a career.

No. 18: Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame

In 1943, Angelo Bertelli was only the quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for six games. After playing six games, Bertelli was drafted and went into the military.

The amazing stat about Bertelli is that in six games, he attempted only 36 passes, completing 25 of them with 10 touchdowns.

No. 18: Tripp Welborne, Michigan

From 1987-1990, Tripp Welborne patrolled the Michigan secondary and was truly a feared defender. During his time with the Wolverines, Welborne was named an All-American and is one of the best players the Michigan secondary has ever seen.

No. 17: Brady Quinn, Notre Dame

Brady Quinn's time with Notre Dame will be hard to match by any future Irish quarterbacks. While with the program, Quinn would break over 30 Notre Dame records between 2003 and 2006.

No. 17: Mark Messner, Michigan

Mark Messner truly separated himself from others during his time on the Michigan defense. Messner played from 1985-1988 and is the school leader in sacks and tackles for a loss. He was also a two time All-American at Michigan.

No. 16: Jim Martin, Notre Dame

Jim Martin patrolled the defensive line from 1946-1949. Martin had an outstanding career with Notre Dame and actually never lost a game while winning three national titles.

Not only did Martin excel on the defensive side of the ball but he also did a solid job as an offensive tackle.

No. 16: Jake Long, Michigan

Jake Long was one of the best offensive linemen to ever play at the University of Michigan. From the time he first suited up in 2004 through his last game, Long only allowed two sacks and would go on to be the No. 1 selection in the NFL draft.

No. 15: Jerome Bettis, Notre Dame

Jerome Bettis was a tough, hard nosed runner that was extremely difficult for defenders to bring down. Bettis played for Notre Dame from 1990-1992. While he didn't put up huge numbers, Bettis was a force at the goal and in short yardage.

No. 15: Willie Heston, Michigan

Willie Heston played football for Michigan from 1901-1904 and was a truly remarkable running back during his time.

Heston scored 72 touchdowns for the Wolverines and was part of teams that combined to go 43-0-1.

No. 14: Frank Carideo, Notre Dame

Frank Carideo did an outstanding job for the Fighting Irish. He played from 1928-1930 and during his time, Carideo won two national titles, was named an All-American twice and had a final record of 19-0.

No. 14: Mike Hart, Michigan

Mike Hart had a great career for one of the most storied programs, Michigan. Hart spent four years with the Wolverines and turned down the NFL to return for his senior season.

As a freshman, he set the Michigan freshman rushing record with 1,455 yards. He also finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy his junior season.

Despite rushing for 5,040 yards over his career, Hart could have had even more success if he had not missed time during his sophomore season with an injury.

No. 13: Bob Crable, Notre Dame

Bob Crable was another outstanding linebacker to play for Notre Dame and was with the program from 1979-1981. Along with being a two time All-American, Crable holds the Notre Dame record for tackles with 521, and the single game NCAA record for tackles with 26.

No. 13: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

Jim Harbaugh was an outstanding quarterback at the University of Michigan and can still be found in their record books. Harbaugh is currently fifth in their history for passing yards and is also sixth in completions over a career.

Some Michigan fans still hope that one day Harbaugh will return to Michigan as their head coach.

No. 12: Alan Page, Notre Dame

Another outstanding player to be on the Notre Dame defensive line is Alan Page. Page played for the Fighting Irish from 1964-1966 and was an All-American and a national champion in 1966.

Page would also go on to be named to the College Football and NFL Hall of Fame.

No. 12: Bob Chappuis, Michigan

Bob Chappuis was part of an outstanding Michigan team in 1947. That season, the Wolverines would roll through the regular season and go on to be named national champions.

Chappuis and Michigan would gain recognition for this season by being placed on the cover of Time magazine.

No. 11: Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame

Johnny Lattner was a running back at Notre Dame and was a jack of all trades.

Lattner was solid in the running game as well as the passing game, but he did not actually lead Notre Dame in either of those categories.

Lattner would also be another Irish player to win the Heisman Trophy, doing so in 1953.

No. 11: Steve Hutchinson, Michigan

Steve Hutchinson is another outstanding linemen that has come through Michigan. Hutchinson played at Michigan from 1997-2000 and was named to the first team All-Big 10 list every year, an achievement that is extremely difficult.

No. 10: Leon Hart, Notre Dame

Leon Hart played for Notre Dame from 1946-1949 and was an athlete that could do it all. During his time with the Irish, Hart played defensive end, tight end, line, and running back.

Hart also won the Heisman Trophy and was a three time All-American.

No. 10: Erick Anderson, Michigan

Erick Anderson was a four year starter at Michigan and was one of the best defenders the university has seen. While with the Wolverines, Anderson totaled up 428 tackles and was the school's only Butkus award winner.

No. 9: Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame

Raghib Ismail may be one of the most electrifying players to wear a Notre Dame uniform. More commonly known as "The Rocket," Ismail was a two time All-American who was a threat both on offense and on special teams.

No. 9: Braylon Edwards, Michigan

From 2001-2004, Braylon Edwards was a standout wide receiver at Michigan and was one of the more clutch players that the Wolverines have seen.

During his time with Michigan, Edwards set the record for most games with 100 yards receiving, 17, and also is the only player in Big 10 history to have three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons.

No. 8: Ross Browner, Notre Dame

Ross Browner had two stints with Notre Dame, playing in 1973 and then again from 1975-1977. During his time with the Irish, Browner achieved it all—winning two national titles, the Lombardi Trophy, the Maxwell Award and he was named an All-American twice.

No. 8: Dan Dierdorf, Michigan

From 1968-1970, Dan Dierdorf proved that he was one of the best linemen to ever play for the University. Not only would Dierdorf have a great career with Michigan but would also go on to be a NFL Hall of Famer and be one of the best in the broadcast booth.

No. 7: Tim Brown, Notre Dame

A dual-threat weapon, Tim Brown made his presence known both on the offensive side of the ball as well as on special teams.

During the 1987 season, Brown totaled 846 yards receiving and 857 return yards. He also scored eight touchdowns overall during the year.

No. 7: Rick Leach, Michigan

Rick Leach played quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines and had the distinction of being the first true freshman in Michigan history to start.

One thing many may not know about Leach is that he was an outstanding baseball player who actually turned down a $100,000 contract right out of high school to play for the Phillies.

No. 6: George Connor, Notre Dame

George Connor is another one of the Notre Dame greats that could have achieved so much more if he was not part of World War II.

Conner played in 1946 and 1947 and helped anchor an offensive line and team that won two national titles and never lost game. He was also named an All-American in both years.

No. 6: Ron Kramer, Michigan

Ron Kramer played for Michigan from 1954-1956 and was an outstanding football player and also starred in basketball and track. Along with playing tight end, Kramer was a great defensive end who would go on and play in the NFL with Green Bay and Detroit.

No. 5: Tony Rice, Notre Dame

Notre Dame has not seen another dual-threat quarterback with the skills of Tony Rice. Rice played for the Irish from 1987-1989 and helped lead them to a national title in 1988 with his ability to both throw the ball and beat teams with his legs.

No. 5: Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan

Bennie Oosterbaan was a two way threat when playing for Michigan and has an accomplishment that only one other player in the school's history has achieved.

While playing receiver and defensive end, Oosterbaan was a three time All-American, something that has only been done by one other Wolverine.

No. 4: Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame

Johnny Lujack enjoyed a good career with the Fighting Irish and was also able to earn the Heisman Trophy in 1947.

The Irish were a dominant team and while Lujack's numbers left something to be desired, as he only threw for 777 yards and nine scores, he was able to lead them to victory.

No. 4: Anthony Carter, Michigan

Anthony Carter played at Michigan from 1979-1983 and was one of the school's best wide receivers. More commonly known as "AC," Carter ended up having 3,076 receiving yards and catching 37 touchdowns.

Besides Desmond Howard, no other Wolverine had a greater impact on offense than AC.

No. 3: Joe Montana, Notre Dame

Certainly Joe Montana become more well known for his time with the San Fransisco 49ers, but he had a good college career with Notre Dame as well.

Montana's best year actually came in 1977 when he did not even start the season for the Irish. He would come in and help lead Notre Dame to victories over the final nine game and a national title.

No. 3: Desmond Howard, Michigan

Maybe the only thing more impressive than his season in 1991 is the lasting memory with which he left the college football world when he struck the Heisman pose in the end zone.

Howard was able to haul in 19 touchdowns and came up just short of 1,000 receiving yards in his Heisman-winning season and is one of the best to play at Michigan.

No. 2: Paul Hornung, Notre Dame

Throughout his career with the Irish, Paul Hornung was all over the field. Hornung spent time at fullback, quarterback, safety and even handled some of the kicking duties.

Despite being on a down Notre Dame team in 1956, Hornung received the sport's top honor when he won the Heisman Trophy.

No. 2: Tom Harmon, Michigan

Not only was Tom Harmon an outstanding football player, he also played two years of college basketball. During his senior season, Harmon put up yards both through the air and on the ground.

Harmon was named the 1940 Heisman Trophy winner and would also be put into the college football Hall of Fame.

No. 1: George Gipp, Notre Dame

George Gipp, or more commonly known as "The Gipper," is the greatest player to ever suit up for the Fighting Irish.

During his time with Notre Dame, Gipp did it all—from rushing for big yards, picking off six passes and handling some of the kicking duties.

No. 1: Charles Woodson, Michigan

Charles Woodson was the leader of one of the best defenses that Michigan has ever seen. During his time with the Wolverines, Woodson played cornerback but also would get in the game at receiver and punt returner.

In 1997, Woodson had the ability to shut down an entire side of the field and force an offense to always go the other direction. His leadership was a large part of a Michigan national championship.