SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame and Oklahoma fans attended the pep rally at Purcell Pavilion Friday night. The Irish are welcoming the Sooners despite the rivalry.

Many fans said one item on their bucket list was to take a trip to watch a game at Notre Dame Stadium

"This is our bucket list. This is it," said Ron Naples, a Notre Dame fan. "We're taking everything that we can in the short day that we have."

One Oklahoma fan from Texas has waited 14 years for this trip.

"When they played here in 1999, our youngest son was playing football so we didn't get to come and we said if we live long enough, we will take you the next time they play in South Bend," said Kay Wilson, Sooner fan.

Others have waited a lifetime.

"I waited 67 years to get here. I was born in a crib with a Notre Dame blanket," said Naples.

No matter what team you're rooting for, all football fans can agree that Notre Dame has a special place in college football history.

"It's one of the best schools in the nation, you can't miss the football atmosphere. The tradition, everything about this place, the history, it's just awesome," said Donna Bowers, Sooners fan.

There's no doubt about it. The highlight this weekend is Saturday's game - the 11th matchup between the Sooners and the Irish.

"We always wanted to see the campus, it's gorgeous. It's a beautiful day to tour the campus and we've had a great time and we're looking forward to tomorrow," said Wilson.

If the Irish win Saturday, it will be their 11th straight win at home.