SMU enthusiast Will Howard is currently experiencing a dream-like scenario as his favorite team, the Mustangs, enters the 12-team competition for a national title. Despite the chaotic planning and holiday scheduling, Howard sees this opportunity as unparalleled. “It surpasses even a trip to Disney World,” he expressed. “Disney is always an option, but this situation is genuinely unique.”
This year, newcomers SMU, Indiana, Penn State, and Tennessee join the playoff scene, with games hosted at their campuses starting Friday evening. Until now, the playoffs, over the first decade, have been primarily dominated by prominent programs such as Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas. Even as fans brace for the cold and face rival supporters, the excitement and joy in the air are hard to ignore. “I’ve followed SMU closely for nearly 30 years, and I’ve never witnessed such enthusiasm,” Howard shared.
Finally, the FBS has caught up with the Championship Subdivision, which has hosted campus playoff games for numerous winters in venues seldom seen on travel itineraries. Many fans seem eager to travel this weekend, confirmed by the high demand for travel packages and sold-out games at locations like Ohio State versus Tennessee and Notre Dame facing off against Indiana. Beaver Stadium, hosting SMU at Penn State, is expected to be nearly full with over 106,000 in attendance, as well as for Clemson’s game against Texas. Fans who are still on the hunt for tickets are advised to check the secondary market for availability.
Some schools, like Penn State, Indiana, and SMU, are hosting commencement ceremonies during this bustling weekend, which poses an added challenge for fans. In a proactive measure, Indiana has shifted its ceremony schedule to earlier on Friday, allowing supporters to prepare for the night game in South Bend. For diligent fans, hotel options do exist—even if they may require longer travel times and higher expenses. Howard himself has requested the maximum limit of eight game tickets priced at $200 each and intends to arrive in State College, Pennsylvania, for the noon kickoff, returning later that same day.
As Indiana’s football program enjoys a renaissance under national coach of the year Curt Cignetti, fans are excited to see the transformation that has been decades in the making. Local resident Brett White, whose family has a longstanding connection to the Hoosiers, remarked that the fans have been eager for change in Bloomington. Excitement is palpable this season, marking a significant shift from years past where the team struggled to find stability.
Historically, Indiana’s football program has been inconsistent, with its last memorable season dating back to 1967 when the Hoosiers went 9-1 but ultimately fell to Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. Throughout the following decades, there were only sporadic victories, leading some fans like Timber Tucker to joke about having “post-traumatic stress disorder” from the ups and downs of being an IU supporter. Now, reaching the College Football Playoff is a surreal experience for many in the fan base. “It’s extraordinary,” Tucker commented on the current sentiment among fans.
On the other hand, SMU is also making headlines, attaining a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game during its inaugural season in the league. This comes after years of hardship following the infamous NCAA sanctions that led to a prolonged period of obscurity. Brian Cassidy, whose daughter leads SMU’s cheer squad, shared his joy about the team’s breakthrough following years of struggle, noting, “After 40 years of despair, we now find ourselves at one of the highest points in our program’s history.”
Meanwhile, for the fans of Clemson, this playoff appearance is nothing new, marking their seventh time in the College Football Playoff. Although starting on the road this time, the excitement remains high. Chandler Bolt, a Texas-based CEO who grew up near Clemson, found the announcement of the matchup against Texas to be thrilling, considering his closeness to the program.
After winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, Clemson secured its place in the playoffs just as the regular season concluded, and Bolt remarked that this season feels a bit different—a mix of randomness and opportunity.
As for Ohio State, Earl Brown is prepared for yet another game, marking his 355th consecutive appearance, complete with friends and family by his side. Reflecting on the weight of this moment, he stressed the importance of these high-stakes games and expressed enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. “Tennessee fans know this is more than just regular season—this is significant,” said Brown as he anticipates a thrilling contest against the Buckeyes.
With an array of emotions and high expectations surrounding this year’s playoffs, teams and fans alike are gearing up for a memorable postseason.