
In downtown Atlanta, fans filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium despite the chilly weather, eager to see Ohio State and Notre Dame face off for the College Football Playoff Championship. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the fanbase, decked out in scarlet and gray, blue and gold, brought not just their team colors, but also their undying spirits, willing to bear the biting cold for a chance to see history unfold.
While some fans opted for the warmth of Playoff Fan Central at the Georgia World Congress Center, others milled about the high-tech arena, ready for the big event, "It's a national championship game and what are you going to do, you got to be here," Ohio State fan John Pontious told FOX 5 Atlanta. According to WOIO's coverage, the Buckeye followers had their share of adversities, making long journeys in the hope of seeing their team clinch a title that has eluded them for a decade.
One fan told FOX 5 Atlanta, "We traveled halfway around the world to come see Notre Dame...my family is Catholic, so we love Notre Dame." This sentiment was echoed across the fanbases with some traveling from places as far as Ohio and West Virginia. Andy Harmon, sporting Ohio State's colors, remarked on the seasonal comparison, "It’s -7 at home, so we’re just happy to be here."
For Ohio State supporters, Ohio State's 34-23 victory was a hard-earned triumph, fulfilling their championship dreams. "The nightmare begins tonight…Notre Dame gets the national championship and Ohio State goes back to Columbus to regroup next year," an optimistic Notre Dame fan had predicted to FOX 5 Atlanta prior to the match.