The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team is on its way to Miami, Florida Wednesday afternoon as they gear up for their national title game against the University of Alabama.

About 100 players, coaches, and staff boarded three buses at “the Gug.” From there, the buses rolled out for the South Bend Municipal Airport.

As the team prepared to leave, fans cheered them on and wished them well against the Crimson Tide.

“I’m just excited. I wanted to see them off. They know the puppet. It goes to the games. And they get to see it. I figured it might be a little something to spur them on,“ said one fan holding a Notre Dame football puppet.

The undefeated and #1 ranked Irish will play the #2 ranked Crimson Tide on Monday night. Kick off is at 7:30pm.

Alabama is a 9 1/2 point favorite.

Story written by WGN News Writer C. Hayes.