SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – South Bend is ready for Friday’s playoff game.

But in Corby’s Irish Pub on Thursday evening – a sea of ​​red.

The IU Alumni Association South Bend Region hosted a Hoosier Happy Hour to get fans in the spirit.

And while there were plenty of IU and Notre Dame fans at the bar, many were torn.

“My wife and I went to IU and there are so many people from South Bend who went to IU,” said Joe Mittiga, owner of Corby’s Irish Pub. “I thought it would be a great way to start the celebrations, and after that we’ll probably all go to Notre Dame.”

Another couple was separated.

“I went to IU with my two brothers, so our education is there,” Linda Basker said. “But our hearts are here at Notre Dame and we were at Corby’s for every Notre Dame game.”

Virginia resident Austin Van Horn has never been to South Bend, but he couldn’t miss Friday’s game.

“I’m thrilled to have IU in the CFP for the first time,” Van Horn said. “And I’m really glad the IU Alumni Association is hosting it tonight at a really cool bar.”

Mittiga expressed his excitement for the playoff game in South Bend.

“This is so exciting,” Mittiga said. “To think that this is the matchup for the first round of the playoffs is crazy, and to have such a meaningful game here in South Bend in December – that’s crazy.”

The playoff game begins Friday night at 8:00 p.m. EST at Notre Dame Stadium.

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