"Seat warmers a must": Fans go wild at Notre Dame's snow-clad stadium 12 hrs before College Football Playoff game

The 2024 College Football Playoff is set to kick off with a wintry twist. As the countdown to the first-round game between Indiana and Notre Dame nears its end, South Bend has transformed into a snowy wonderland. The Notre Dame Stadium is blanketed in snow, offering fans a picturesque setting for this historic playoff matchup. The field will retain its white coating, thus adding a dramatic flair to the game.

The 2024-25 College Football Playoff is making history by hosting first-round games on college campuses. Four matchups are scheduled: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, and No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State. While snow could affect two of these games, the wintry conditions in South Bend have captured the most attention online.

Fans on social media are buzzing with excitement and a mix of concerns.

One fan humorously declared, “Seat warmers a must.”

Another raised a point: "I don't think any of these old college stadiums (ND, PSU, OSU) are equipped with any sort of heating system or are really meant to be hosting games in the dead of winter.”

Despite the chilly conditions, the excitement is palpable. Fans shared their enthusiasm with comments such as:

“This is going to be awesome. Great time to be playing football in the north,”

“Playoff committee made damn sure to put two northern teams in this game,” another added.

Others expressed their love for winter football.

“It’s going to be so awesome! Midwest football in the winter,” a fan said.

“LETS GO! Love football in the snow!”, another expressed.

How to watch the Indiana vs. Notre Dame game

Date: Friday, Dec. 20

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Location: Notre Dame Stadium

TV Channel: ABC, ESPN

Streaming: Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and more

Coverage of the high-powered ‘In-State rivalry’ matchup between Indiana and Notre Dame begins at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. This marks the first meeting between these two teams since 1991.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who has accumulated 721 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, will lead the Fighting Irish.

On the other hand, Indiana’s quarterback Kurtis Rourke (2,827 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions) will aim to continue the Hoosiers’s impressive 11-1 season.

Weather forecast for the game

The National Weather Service predicts a 20 percent chance of snow after 9 p.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 21°F. Winds from the north will range between 5 to 10 mph.

Earlier in the day, most of the snow is expected to fall before 1 p.m. ET. Weather Bug shows a 70 percent chance of light snow Friday morning, decreasing to 20 percent by night. Temperatures will hover in the lower 20s, with wind gusts reaching up to 20 mph in the evening.