Michigan/Notre Dame draws monster ratings for NBC

While the Michigan Wolverines and Notre Dame Fighting Irish each appear content to let their annual rivalry dissipate, that still doesn't mean the record-breaking 6.4 million viewers who tuned in for Saturday night's game actually agree with the recent announcement.

Despite featuring a bevy of Michigan turnovers and ill-timed gaffes by quarterback Denard Robinson, Saturday's game was reportedly the single largest draw in Notre Dame's primetime history on NBC according to the National Football Foundation:

NBC's Michigan-Notre Dame telecast drew an audience of 6.4 million, the Fighting Irish's largest-ever primetime audience on NBC.

— Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) September 25, 2012

On a night when a number of top-flight games were also available across all networks in the same timeslot, it's quite remarkable that this game pulled in such a massive audience. Though it's extremely hard to imagine that NBC is thrilled to watch Notre Dame willingly drop a marquee draw like Michigan from its schedule in coming years, a lull in scheduling could theoretically drum up more interest when these two teams actually face off again.

College Football Rankings, Week 5: Michigan State Up To No. 18, Michigan Dropped From Top 25

Michigan State moved up two spots to No. 18 in the most recent coaches' poll, while Brady Hoke's Wolverines were dropped completely out of the top 25 after losing to Notre Dame.

NCAA Football Rankings, Week 5: Michigan Falls Out of AP Rankings, Michigan State Up One Spot

Michigan falls out of the AP Top 25, helping Michigan State move up one spot in the poll.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame 2012: Despite Loss, Wolverines Defense Played Well

Somewhat lost in the aftermath of the Michigan Wolverines' 13-6 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday is the fact that Michigan's defense, much-maligned over the past few seasons, played well and kept the Wolverines in the game despite an offense that turned the ball over six times. Anthony Mammel of Maize N Brew noted the performance:

The defense played well throughout the game, rendering the Irish rushing attack useless for much of the contest while keeping Michigan in the game. I hated the single-high safety look on the last third down of the game but you can't hold it against Greg Mattison. His boys came prepared.

Notre Dame had just 239 yards of total offense, and the Irish had fewer than 200 yards until the final clock-killing drive of the game, when they picked up 44 yards and two first downs to prevent Michigan from getting the ball back. The Michigan defense also intercepted two passes from starting quarterback Everett Golson, forcing him to the bench in the first half in favor of Tommy Rees.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame Final Score: Turnovers Help Fighting Irish Beat Michigan 13-6

The No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense forced 6 turnovers by the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines, helping Notre Dame to a 13-6 win - despite the fact that Michigan's offense outgained Notre Dame's.

The only touchdown of the game came in the second quarter. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly benched starting quarterback Everett Golson after his second first half interception and Tommy Rees came in and completed 3-for-4 passes on his first drive and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left in the first half to put Notre Dame up 10-0.

Michigan's offense moved the ball effectively and made it inside the red zone six times in the game, but turnovers limited their scoring opportunities. Running back Vincent Smith threw an interception on a halfback option pass in Notre Dame territory in the first half. Denard Robinson fumbled after picking up a first down inside the Notre Dame 20 in the third quarter. Robinson threw four interceptions in the game, all in the first half.

Michigan scored for the first time on a Brendan Gibbons field goal with 13:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Gibbons also connected on a field goal to make it 13-6 with 3:31 remaining. Michigan had the ball on that possession at the Notre Dame six, but Robinson was sacked by Sheldon Day, pushing Michigan back to the 13.

After electing to kick the field goal, they kicked off and Tommy Rees found Tyler Eifert for a 38-yard completion for one first down and Theo Riddick picked up another first down on the drive, allowing the Irish to kill the clock.

Robinson finished with 137 passing yards and 94 rushing yards. Rees finished 8-for-11 for 115 yards. Notre Dame improves to 4-0. Michigan is now 2-2.

Box Score Hero: Both offenses had some ugly moments in this game, but the Notre Dame defense proved once again to be an opportunistic unit. Linebacker Manti Te'o had a pair of interceptions, both of which helped Notre Dame put points on the board. His first interception in the second quarter led to a field goal and his second, also in the second quarter, set up the game's only touchdown.

Rankings Ramifications: Notre Dame's defense once again looked formidable against a quality opponent, so the Irish could sneak into the top 10. Michigan came in ranked No. 18 and this is the Wolverines' second loss. Both losses have been to good teams, but Michigan could be in danger of falling out of the rankings.

But Did They Cover? Notre Dame was favored by six and covered.

For More On This Game: For more on Irish football, visit Notre Dame blog One Foot Down. For more on Wolverines football, visit Michigan blog Maize 'n' Brew, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.

Next Week's Schedule: Both teams have byes next week. Notre Dame plays Miami at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Shamrock Series at Soldier Field in Chicago. Michigan plays at Purdue at 4 p.m. Oct. 6.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.

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Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Another Turnover Costs Wolverines As They Trail 10-0 After The Third Quarter

For the second time in Saturday's game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Michigan Wolverines drove into Notre Dame territory and came away with no points because of a turnover. They continue to trail 10-0 after three quarters.

On a third down and three from the Notre Dame 16, Denard Robinson scrambled for what would've been a first down, but he fumbled on the play and Notre Dame recovered. It was Robinson's fifth turnover of the game. He threw four interceptions in the first half.

The Michigan defense kept Notre Dame off the field most of the quarter. The Irish had just two drives and ran just nine plays.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Irish Lead 10-0 At Halftime In Turnover-Filled Game

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took a 10-0 halftime lead over the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, aided by five Michigan interceptions.

Running back Vincent Smith was picked off on a halfback option play in the first quarter and Denard Robinson threw 4 interceptions, two of them by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. Robinson has completed 5-for-13 passes for 59 yards and ran for 55 yards on 13 carries.

Notre Dame has also thrown 2 interceptions, both by quarterback Everett Golson, who was benched in favor of Tommy Rees in the second quarter. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said at halftime he wasn't sure whether or not he'd go back to Golson. Rees completed 3-for-4 passes for 45 yards and ran for Notre Dame's touchdown after a Robinson interception.

Notre Dame's field goal by Kyle Brindza early in the second quarter was also set up by a Robinson interception.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Teams Tied 0-0 After First Quarter

Both teams had a turnover and the Notre Dame offense struggled to move the ball as Michigan and Notre Dame are tied 0-0 after the first quarter Saturday.

Michigan's Raymon Taylor intercepted Notre Dame's Everett Golson on Notre Dame's first play from scrimmage. Michigan running back Vincent Smith threw a pass on a halfback option play that was picked off by Notre Dame's Nicky Baratti. Michigan had drove to the Notre Dame 25 on that possession, the deepest into opponent's territory either team reached in the first quarter.

Denard Robinson had 59 passing yards in the first, but only 19 rushing yards on 8 attempts as the Notre Dame defense prevented him from making any big plays.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame 2012: TV Schedule, Game Time, Spread And More

No. 18 Michigan looks for its fourth straight win over No. 11 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NBC.

Michigan has won two straight games this season and the marquee matchup in the game will be how the Notre Dame defense handles Michigan quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender Denard Robinson. After struggling in the team's season-opening loss to Alabama, Robinson has had 823 combined rushing and passing yards in Michigan's last two games.

The Notre Dame defense is coming off a dominant performance against Michigan State. The Irish held Michigan State to just three points and 237 total yards. They had constant pressure on Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Notre Dame has given up just 30 points in three games this season.

Michigan won last year's game, 35-31, after outscoring Notre Dame, 28-7, in the fourth quarter.

Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV channel: NBC

Spread: Notre Dame -6.0

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Desmond Morgan To Start At LB

Heading into his team's Saturday showdown with an undefeated Notre Dame squad, Michigan football coach Brady Hoke confirmed to MLive.com's Kyle Meinke on Wednesday that linebacker Desmond Morgan will play this weekend against the Irish.

Hoke also indicated that Morgan, who missed last week with a head injury, will probably start in place of freshman James Ross for the pivotal game. A 6'1, 227-pound sophomore from Holland, Michigan, Morgan amassed 15 tackles over the first two games of the season before sitting out against Massachusetts.

Morgan's return bodes well for a Michigan defense that also plans to put its experience to good use on Saturday by starting senior linebacker Kenny Demens in the middle. Demens was beaten out for playing time by freshman Joe Bolden earlier in the season, but has played quite well against the Irish over the course of his career. Even so, Morgan and Demens will each need to be in top form on Saturday in order to help slow down a potent Notre Dame rushing attack.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for full Michigan/Notre Dame coverage, and head over to Maize N Brew for more Michigan football news. Also visit One Foot Down for more on the Irish, and SB Nation's college football hub for more news from around the nation.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Brady Hoke Says Wolverines Must Be Faster, More Physical

Michigan Wolverines coach Brady Hoke knows his team must improve if they hope to knock off the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday. Hoke praised the Notre Dame defense and said his team must be both more physical and faster against the Irish.

"I think we need to play more physical," Hoke maintained. "We need to play faster on both sides of the ball. Finishing plays is something we need to do a better job at. ... I think, from the offensive standpoint, the movement at the line of scrimmage (needs improvement) so we can be a little more vertical with our run game."

Hoke is particularly worried about the Wolverines' run game against the Irish defense. Notre Dame held Michigan State to just 50 yards rushing in their 20-3 victory on Sept. 15, and the Wolverines have struggled to rush the ball with their RBs thus far this season. Through three games the Michigan running backs have totaled only 226 rushing yards.

For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. For more on Notre Dame, head over to One Foot Down.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Desmond Morgan Expected To Return For Wolverines

Michigan was short quite a few starters against UMass last week, but at least one will be back for Saturday's game against Notre Dame: linebacker Desmond Morgan.

From MLive.com:

Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Monday that starting linebacker Desmond Morgan "should" return for Saturday's game against the 11th-ranked Fighting Irish (7:30 p.m., NBC) after sitting out last week against UMass with a head injury.

As for other injuries, fullback Stephen Hopkins' status is still up in the air with a hamstring injury, as it defensive end Brennen Beyer, who is dealing with a knee injury, according to MLive.

Morgan started seven games at linebacker last year and was fifth among Wolverines with 63 tackles.

Michigan Vs. Notre Dame: Fighting Irish's Jamoris Slaughter Out For Season

The Michigan Wolverines may be able to take advantage of a weak Notre Dame secondary on Saturday, as Jamoris Slaughter is set to miss the season for the Fighting Irish with a torn Achilles tendon.