The Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - When No. 5 Michigan plays No. 15 Notre Dame today, the two winningest college football programs will attract millions of eyes because of their talent, cool helmets and popular fight songs.

"It's one of the biggest games in any sport at any level," Michigan's Larry Stevens said.

Even though Stevens grew up 2,000 miles away in Tacoma, Wash., the defensive end scoffed at the notion that the rivalry is new to him.

"Just because you grow up on the other side of the country doesn't mean you don't know about Michigan and Notre Dame football," Stevens said. "Every time they played, I made sure I got out of bed to watch on television. I can remember guys like Tim Brown and Desmond Howard making some great plays.

"You can just say certain names in sports, like Michigan and Notre Dame, and you don't need to say anything more because people know what you're talking about."

Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham said it's not difficult to figure out why the series is a special one to so many.

"One word probably capsulizes it more than anything else: winning," Willingham said. "You have the No. 1 program in the country in terms of winning percentage. On the other hand, you have the No. 1 program in terms of games won.

"With that kind of history, it's a natural that this becomes a game that gathers the interest of a lot of people, not only in this region but around the country."

The Fighting Irish have won 75 percent of their games, which leads all Division I-A programs. The Wolverines rank second at 74.6 percent.

Michigan has won 825 games, more than any college at any level. Notre Dame is second among Division I-A programs with 792.

They're heading into the 31st game of the series - which Michigan leads 17-12-1 - in different ways.

The Wolverines beat mid-major conference teams, Houston and Central Michigan, by a combined score of 95-10. Chris Perry led the way with 416 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

The Irish beat Washington State of the Pac-10 in their opener last week, erasing a 19-point deficit to win 29-26.

Willingham said Michigan's lopsided victories have made it difficult to predict what the Wolverines will do.

"I don't know how much they might have saved just for Notre Dame," said Willingham, who saw plenty of Michigan Stadium while at Michigan State, first as a player and then as an assistant coach. "I don't know how similar they think our game plans might be. So you really are kind of unsure as to exactly what team you're seeing."

Players from both teams expect a physical game with few frills.

"It's going to be a fight," Michigan tackle Tony Pape said. "It's not going to be a football game. It's going to be a brawl."

The Irish beat Michigan 25-23 last year at home. Notre Dame's Shane Walton deflected John Navarre's 2-point conversion attempt with 2:53 left, and Walton sealed the victory with an interception near midfield with 21 seconds left.

Navarre was eager to reflect on the aura of the Michigan-Notre Dame game.

"They are two of the most-storied programs in all of college football with all the tradition that surrounds each school," Navarre said. "When you hear either fight song, you know exactly what school it is, as they are the two most recognizable fight songs in the country.

"One of the reasons you come here is to be a part of the tradition this game holds. Once you're here, it lives up to everything you saw on TV growing up. The buzz around here and the buzz on game day is something that is very special."

No. 15 Notre Dame at No. 5 Michigan

Records: No. 15 Notre Dame (1-0) at No. 5 Michigan (2-0).

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m./Ch. 9, 2.

Line: Michigan by 9 1/2.

Series: Michigan leads 17-12-1.