Crowd Gathers For Pre-Game Festivities In Norman Saturday

The crowd formed early in Norman, with music, cheers and even a live broadcast from ESPN's game day crew on OU's campus. Excitement that drew out OU and Notre Dame fans alike.

"I've been a Notre Dame fan my whole life," said Nate Shields from Stroud.

Unfortunately for Shields, he says it isn't a love he was able to pass down to his son.

"I was just raised liking OU," Eric Shields said.

Thus a house divided.

"There's been a lot of trash talking in our house for three years, so I'm ready to get it over with," Shields said.

A three-year wait that ends Saturday night.

"It's obvious I'm voting for the Irish," said Erick Esch, who is decked out in Notre Dame colors from head to toe.

Esch said he made the trip from Indiana leaving nothing to chance.

"I stand out a little bit I think, but I can't change the outfit because I've been wearing it all year and of course we're 7 and 0 and I don't want to change anything," he said. "I did wash them though."

While the game draws Notre Dame support from the north, apparently OU's support runs even further north as in the North Pole.

"I absolutely love the Sooners," said Sooner Santa, who claims to represent Santa Claus. "I try and make every game and at least show up to the tailgate because as Sooner Santa, I'm Santa's representative to Sooner Nation."

And even though Santa or the fans can't predict this outcome, they can sure try.

"Probably gonna whoop them 60 to 21," Eric Shields said.

"Notre Dame, 20 to 17," Nate Shields said.

Even Sooner Santa weighed in. "Sooners 49, Notre Dame 13," he said. "Ho, Ho, Ho, the Irish stop here."

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