College Football Championship Watch Party, but Make it Sportsish

After a pretty eventful season, the college football championship game is finally set! Ohio State will face Notre Dame next Monday, Jan. 20th, to determine who will be the last one standing. Even though the teams finished the season as eighth and seventh-seeded, respectively, both programs are historically known for their prestigious achievements, making this encounter one you won't want to miss! And since there can't be a sports event without the ish, this is the perfect excuse to throw a watch party that rises to the occasion; if you needed a sign to throw it, here it is! Here's our quick guide on how to throw the perfect event à la Sportsish.

Get Familiar With the Teams!

First things first. If you haven't been keeping up with the season entirely, there's no need to panic. Here's a quick recap of all the key details from each team you can use as conversation starters.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Colors: Red and grey.

Mascot: Brutus Buckeye, a Buckeye seed who wears a striped red and white t-shirt and red pants to cheer on his team.

Best known for:

Being the No. 1 team with the most Heisman trophy winners. However, this isn't an advantage over their rivals since they're tied with Notre Dame for that position.
Ohio State is the second-most winningest college program of all time, with 975 wins, only after Michigan.
They are in 8th place in national championships with 8 title wins, the most recent being in 2014.

Key players:

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Reciever for Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith, WR: he's been a key offensive player for the Buckeyes, securing 290 yards and 4 touchdowns during the playoffs, so he'll undoubtedly keep Notre Dame's defense on their toes.
Jack Sawyer, DE: On the Buckeye's defensive end, Ohio native Jack is a stellar asset who managed 4.5 sacks. Most recently, he had one of the most impressive plays when he had an 83-yard fumble return that secured the team's win over Texas, making him the best defensive player in the College Football Playoffs.
Caleb Downs, DB: Caleb has excellent playmaking talent, with a versatility that allows him to become a threat to any offense on the other side of the field.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Colors: Gold and blue.

Mascot: The Leprechaun, a feisty Irish folk creature ready to fight any battle that might approach and a lucky charm for the team.

Best known for:

They share the title of most Heisman trophies with Ohio State, both teams with 7 total wins.
They are the fourth most championship-winning team with 13 national titles, only behind Yale, Alabama, and Princeton. Their last win was in 1988, making this final a long time coming for the Indiana locals.
Among their notorious alumni are Curly Lambeau, founder of the Green Bay Packers, and Joe Montana, the NFL's most lauded quarterback.

Key players:

*Riley Leonard, Notre Dame’s Quarterback*

Riley Leonard, QB: While he's been described as inconsistent at times, the Notre Dame senior quarterback has shown an ability to show up when it matters, like when he rushed for 80 yards to secure a touchdown.
Xavier Watts, DB: The defensive star is probably one of Notre Dame's biggest assets. He has secured 13 interceptions in the last two seasons, posing a threat to Ohio's powerful offensive.
Howard Cross, DL: Another defensive mastermind, his experience and leadership make him an essential element in the field.

Choose a Theme!

Now that you know each team better, it's time to pick a side. Mostly, because it will make the theme of the party more fun.

If you choose Ohio State:

As the Buckeye is a tree, the best decor should match nature. Their characteristic helmet sticker is a Buckeye leaf, so anything foliage-related should work.
For the colors, the team reps scarlet and grey, so you can also find decorative elements that contrast with the Buckeye green. You can even wear a red and white striped shirt to match with Brutus!
If you want to take team spirit to the next level, you can always hang some Ohio State decorative pennants and complement them with red and silver tinsel fringes to go full Buckeye!
The room doesn't have to be the only one decked out in Ohio State colors. If you feel like sporting something yourself, these earrings are the perfect yet subtle nod to cheer on the team.

If you choose Notre Dame:

The Leprechaun being their mascot opens the possibility of using a lot of iconic Irish elements. From the four-leaf clover to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, there's a ton of elements you can find that would fit the theme. Think of it as an early scouting for St. Patrick's day props!
While their colors are blue and gold, the Irish green is also an option to include, whether in the decoration or in a green-themed menu.
Decorate your watching space with these tassel garlands that perfectly match the team's colors while giving a bit of cheerleader pom poms.
No need to find a last minute Notre Dame jersey to get in supportive fan mode, this championship-themed t-shirt is the ultimate fashion statement to support the team while commemorating the occasion.

Pick a Menu!

If you want to keep the food on theme with the teams, you can always find quick recipes online to serve traditional local meals.

Ohio State offers a wide variety of stadium snacks, including the classic Cincinnati chili, a local staple dish, which you can recreate at home with this recipe.

Notre Dame has fewer varied options, sticking to the typical hot dogs, popcorn, and nachos, among others. However, you can always DIY some cute shamrock pretzels by joining three pieces with some melted chocolate in the middle and a longer stick as the stem. If you need some guidance, you can check this easy-to-follow tutorial.

Gather Some Friends and Enjoy!

The most important part is that you enjoy the game and share the excitement with others, no matter who you're rooting for on Monday. Any excuse is perfect for throwing a party, but when the sports are involved, we'll always make sure to bring the ish!