Michigan Football: Traditions Define Saturday's Game Against Notre Dame

Two pretty good football teams will trade paint Saturday night, hoping to rekindle past championship form.

Michigan and Notre Dame will share an atmosphere made for the silver screen.

The game will be played under the lights before an NCAA-record crowd of 114,000, plus a national television audience.

Sure, there won't be any talk of national titles, but there won't be an absence of leading men. For Michigan, there's quarterback Denard Robinson, and for Notre Dame there's linebacker Manti Te'o.

Everyone knows the records. Michigan has the winningest program in college football history with Notre Dame not far behind.

Several books and movies have been produced about each team, telling the story of great traditions, as well as great performances.

We've selected a few videos to help tell each team's story. Come along for the ride—you might get pumped up for Saturday's game. 

The New Big House

After the addition of permanent lights, Phase 1 of the $228 million renovation of Michigan Stadium was complete. With new corporate suites, additional restrooms and more concessions, the setting couldn't be better for a Michigan-Notre Dame clash in prime time.

Don't get too comfortable, though; in the next few years, Michigan plans on adding nearly 20,000 more seats.     

Michigan Marching Band: "M Fanfare"

Before the Wolverines take the field at each home game, the band leads the festivities with its impressive entry cadence and the playing of "M Fanfare."

Next comes a rousing rendition of "The Victors," one of college football's most recognizable fight songs.    

Notre Dame Marching Band: "Victory March"

The Band of the Fighting Irish is the oldest in the nation. In fact, they performed at the inaugural Michigan-Notre Dame football game in 1887.

Notre Dame's fight song, known as the "Victory March," is also considered one of the best in the land.

One of Notre Dame's proudest traditions is the band's march to the stadium before each game. 

The Four Horsemen

Back in 1924, the incomparable writer Grantland Rice helped add to the tradition of Notre Dame. After the Irish defeated Army 13-7, Rice wrote in the following morning's New York Herald Tribune:  

"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore their names are Death, Destruction, Pestilence, and Famine. But those are aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."

It wasn't long before the four running backs appeared on horseback in full football attire.

Win One for the Gipper

George Gipp played quarterback and running back  for Notre Dame from 1917 to 1920.

When Knute Rockne took over the coaching job in 1918, he knew Gipp would be a future star. Tragically, Gipp took ill just before the end of the 1920 season. 

While Notre Dame played its final game at Michigan State, Gipp laid on his death bed at Notre Dame, suffering from pneumonia. Before he passed, Gipp and Rockne had a final conversation.

A few years later, Rockne recalled Gipp's last words in a halftime speech during a game with Army. 

"Well, boys ... I haven't a thing to say. 
Played a great game...all of you. Great game.
(He tries to smile.) 
I guess we just can't expect to win ‘em all.
(Rockne pauses and says quietly.)
I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years --
None of you ever knew George Gipp.
It was long before your time.
But you know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame...
(There is gentle, faraway look in his eyes as he recalls the boy's words.)
And the last thing he said to me—'Rock,' he said—
'sometime, when the team is up against it—and the 
breaks are beating the boys—tell them to go out there
with all they got and win just one for the Gipper...
(Knute's eyes become misty and his voice is unsteady as he finishes.) 
I don't know where I'll be then, Rock,' he said—'but
I'll know about it—and I'll be happy.'"

Needless to say, players rushed on to the field and won the game in the second half.

1991: The Catch

With 4th-and-1 on the Irish 25, coach Gary Moeller couldn't have made a gutsier call.

Instead of a dive up the middle, Elvis Grbac found Desmond Howard in the corner of the end zone for six. The touchdown clinched the 24-14 victory over Notre Dame and propelled the Wolverines to their fourth of five consecutive Big Ten titles. 

The catch made highlight reels everywhere, and Howard was on his way to the Heisman Trophy.

Lost in the excitement was Grbac's brilliant performance. The quarterback finished the afternoon hitting 20-of-22 passes for 195 yards. 

1989: The Rocket

Twice in the series, No 1 faced No. 2.

Both times the game was in Ann Arbor, and both times Notre Dame was No. 1.

Back in 1943, Notre Dame prevailed 35-12, and the  Irish won again in 1989, 24-19.  

On two occasions, Rocket Ismail burned Michigan with long kickoff returns for touchdowns. Ismael ran the second-half kickoff back 88 yards for a score, then did it again from 92 yards out with 12:46 left in the game.

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Michigan Wolverines: Pop Evil's "In the Big House"

Michigan fans have been clamoring for years to add some youth to Michigan football tradition.

Recently, the Muskegon band Pop Evil released a clever, fast-paced tune about the Wolverines. It weaves its way through lyrics vaguely similar to "The Victors," but light-years ahead.

With a little practice, the student section could master a version of this—at least they'd have fun trying. 

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