It would be a first-time meeting between the football teams.

Utah has an open date in 2010 because its series with Washington State was bumped to 2012 and 2013, which also made it possible for the Utes to play at Michigan this season.

"It's not an absolute yet, but we're excited about the prospect of playing at South Bend; it's a great venue and a great opponent," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "For Utah to play at Notre Dame would be a great opportunity."

Notre Dame went 3-9 in 2007 and is 22-15 under coach Charlie Weis, who was hired in 2005 to replace Tyrone Willingham after Urban Meyer turned down the Irish and became the head coach at Florida.

Playing the Irish not only would give Utah a game against one of the most prestigious football programs in the country, but would also assure the Utes of national exposure since the Irish have a contract through 2010 with NBC to televise every Irish home game.

"That's a very appealing proposition for recruiting," Whittingham said.

The Utes are scheduled to play at Utah State and Iowa State in 2010, so some changes must be made to give the Utes two home and two away nonconference games.

Whittingham said if one of those games can't be moved that it could potentially be a deal breaker for the Notre Dame agreement.

"We'd hate to do that, but it's not desirable to play seven away, you always want six and six," he said. "Hopefully it's something we can work out."

In other Utah news, lineman Zeke Tuinei-Wily, who was suspended indefinitely in the spring, has decided to leave the team. Receiver Marquis Wilson, also suspended for spring practice, has been partially reinstated by Whittingham and can join the team in workouts that start Monday. However, he has to meet several team requirements before he is welcomed back completely.

Wilson also was suspended in March of 2007 after being charged with drunken driving, a case that has yet to be resolved.

He was reinstated for the 2007 season and finished with 14 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown.

"There are several things he has to do, but joining the team in summer workouts is a step," Whittingham said.

lwodraska@sltrib.com

Utah's opponents

Utah's tentative nonconference schedules:

2009

Sept. 5 Utah State

Sept. 12 at San Jose State

Sept. 19 at Oregon

Sept. 26 Louisville

2010

at Notre Dame, TBD

Sept. 11 at Utah State

Sept. 18 at Iowa State

Sept. 25 San Jose State

2011

Sept. 3 Iowa State

Sept. 10 Utah State

Sept. 17 Oregon

Sept. 24 at Boise State

2012

Aug. 30 Washington State

Sept. 8 at Utah State

Sept. 22 at Colorado

Sept. 29 Boise State

2013

Aug. 31 Utah State

Sept. 14 at Washington State

Sept. 21 Colorado

Sept. 28 at Boise State