ANN ARBOR -- Smirking and smiling as he tends to do, Frank Clark turned serious with an accompanying shrug.

His Michigan team had just easily disposed of visiting Appalachian State in a 52-14 rout. The season-opening win at Michigan Stadium on Saturday quelled some preseason jitters surrounding the program. On this afternoon, at least, the Wolverines passed the eye test.

Now a new test awaits. Michigan is heading back to Notre Dame next week. This will be different: A night road game on national television against a historical rival, a rival that just so happens to have cut the cord on the matchup.

Mention of it shifted Clark’s disposition. With one test down, is Michigan ready for the next one? Is Michigan ready to return to the road? These are the Wolverines that limped to a 2-4 record outside of Ann Arbor last season.

“We’ve tried these different slogans, called ourselves “The Road Warriors” in the past and things of that nature, but this year is different,” Clark said. “I kind of feel it in that locker room.

“You’ve got guys who are ready and just want to play football. You’ve got guys not complaining about how much playing time they’re getting. You’ve got guys not being selfish. It’s just a joint effort. Everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do and I believe playing on the road is going to almost suit us better than playing at home, honestly.”

Desmond Morgan, Clark’s fellow senior, was quick to point out that that will have to be proven. Michigan is 9-9-1 all-time in South Bend.

“I guess that’s something we’ll see next Saturday when the lights actually come on, but I’m very confident,” Morgan said.

The matchup will be multi-layered, with Notre Dame’s recent bailout as the crust.

Fighting Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick opted out of the programs’ home-and-home contract in 2012, making 2014 the last in a series that has run continually since 1997. Overall, Michigan and Notre Dame have met 41 times since 1887.

Next Saturday in South Bend will mark No. 42, but no one knows when the next will come. There’s little indication it's anytime soon.

U-M athletic director Dave Brandon has repeatedly said the series is unlikely to be renewed for a long time, if ever.

Chatter about Notre Dame’s decision to severe ties stirred up Michigan coach Brady Hoke. He told a group of Michigan alums and supporters in the summer of 2013 that the Fighting Irish were "chickening out.”

Later asked if he stood by the comment, Hoke shot back, “I said it.”

“I agree with him,” Clark said Saturday. “That’s my coach and I’m behind him all the way. Everything he said is correct. It’s a slap in the face when you end one of those great rivalries for whatever reason you choose to. This is something for the people, for the fans. It’s one of those games that people expect to watch every year.”

“Everybody knows about the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry,” Devin Funchess added.

So Michigan is hoping to go out with a win.

Clark said he’s confident because of energy displayed not only Saturday, but throughout Michigan’s preseason. He sees it in the little things. Over his four years with the program, music was not allowed in the locker room. Now it is, bringing a new vibe.

“This is the first year that I’ve been here where the energy level going into meetings is like you’re going into a practice,” Clark said.

There will be plenty of energy at Notre Dame Stadium, making for a potentially long Saturday night for some inexperienced Wolverines. Seven U-M players earned their first collegiate start against Appalachian State, including sophomore tackle Ben Braden, freshman tackle Mason Cole, junior wide receiver Dennis Norfleet, redshirt freshman tight end Khalid Hill, junior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow, sophomore safety Jeremy Clark and freshman cornerback Jabrill Peppers.

Overall, 17 U-M players made their collegiate debut.

“Some of the young guys don’t understand it,” Clark said. “I’ve played (at Notre Dame) before. I know the environment. ... One thing that I challenge my younger guys or guys that haven’t (played), is to come and give your best effort possible. The nerves are going to be there.”

If they were there on Saturday, no one noticed. Michigan rolled to a 35-0 halftime lead and coasted through the Appalachian Trail.

Now, though, comes a real game.

It’s Michigan and Notre Dame, one more time.

“It’s always been a great football game,” Hoke said Saturday. “As Bo (Schembechler) would say, it kind of lets you know where your team is early in the season because of the similarities in the athletes that are on the field.

“I think for college football, it’s a great rivalry. The significance of it being the last one down there -- yeah, there’s significance to it.”

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball and football. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com