Only the very lucky will get to see the BCS championship game in person. The rest of us will just have to watch it on TV.
There are just a few people at the Linebacker Lounge in South Bend, but on Monday night, the place will be packed with people from as far away as Chicago.
"I've worked here for twenty years and we've had ups and downs with the new coaches and all that, but there's just a different feeling in town,” said the cook Ron Grahl. “It's got everybody hyped and ready for the game.”
Employees will be putting out extra tables and stocking up on twice as much food as they normally have.
"We're used to football weekends and dealing with the big crowds and all the people, and we'll get through it again and have a good time and enjoy a Notre Dame win," said Grahl.
One place you wouldn't expect to watch football is the Lerner Theatre in downtown Elkhart, but you'll get to do just that on Monday. For the first time ever, the theatre is opening up for a championship game.
"Notre Dame is in the national championship and we've got a beautiful theatre to showcase and what a great way to see the game. If you can't be in Florida, you might as well see it on the larger screen in northern Indiana," said theatre manager David Smith.
You can watch the game for free on the main floor of the theatre, but if you're willing to spend a little dough, the theatre is offering a tailgate buffet upstairs in the Crystal Ballroom. It's about $19 per person and you can watch the game from three screens or from the balcony. They'll start serving food at 7 p.m.
"One of the great things about Notre Dame games is that everybody gets together and has so much fun rooting for their team,” said Smith. “How cool would it be to be in a space where you've got a thousand people all rooting for the same team?"
Tickets for the main floor and buffet at the Lerner will be available at the door, but you're strongly encouraged to make reservations. Donations will also be taken for "Friends of the Lerner." Four Horsemen Brewing Company in South Bend will also be showing the game on its two bigscreen TVs. Food will be catered. Doors open at 4 p.m. You can also listen to the game on Sunny 101.5 and WSBT Radio 96.1 Monday night.
And Granger Community Church is opening its doors for the game tonight. The church will be broadcasting the game on its large screens. You can bring your own food.... or buy it from the church's café. Doors open at 7.
