Pubs are gearing up for the Monday night game between Notre Dame and Ohio State. But they also see it as the start of enthusiasm for next season.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The eyes of Michiana were focused Monday night on one thing and one thing only: the pursuit by the Fighting Irish for the college football national championship.

A whole generation of Notre Dame fans don't know what a national title feels like. That could all change on Monday night.

Navy was undefeated and ranked 24th when Notre Dame pasted the Midshipmen in East Rutherford. Ranked wins are always nice but when some of the national media loudly picks against you and you win by 37, things taste a little more sweet.

in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File) Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, left, and team captain Clem Crowe watch the team practice in 1925. (AP Photo/File) Notre Dame’s head coach Lou Holtz and the Fighting Irish walk onto the field ...

There’s a right place for everyone and anyone interested in enjoying the excitement of Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship game while surrounded by other Notre Dame Fighting ... s Irish Pub at 441 E. LaSalle Ave., South Bend.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun made a friendly wager over who will win Monday's football National Championship.

Notre Dame used a pair of late pick-sixes to finish the regular season 11-1 in a victory at rival USC. Christian Gray returned a would-be game-tying touchdown pass attempt 99-yards to cool the Trojans late threat and clinch a home College Football Playoff game.

The one common denominator between the Irish teams that lost to Ohio State in the past two seasons was quarterback play. It wasn't Leonard then. but it's Leonard now.

Here's when you can expect the Notre Dame football team to return to South Bend after the CFP championship game.

Where is Notre Dame located? Here's what to know about the Fighting Irish ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff championship game vs. Ohio State:

SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame was dead. Dead as dead can be. The Irish carcass lay on the green turf in Atlanta like a slug as Ohio State’s juggernaut offense trampled over it repeatedly, giving Notre Dame a 31-7 hole to dig itself out of.