INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On the football field, it’s Hoosiers vs. Hurricanes. In the governor’s office, it’s pork vs. crabs. 

Gov. Mike Braun challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to a “friendly wager” ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The top-seeded, undefeated Indiana Hoosiers have the chance to win the University’s first ever national championship in football when they face the Miami Hurricanes on Monday. 

“Hey DeSantis,” Braun wrote on social media. “If IU loses, I’ll send you some pork from Fischer Farms, which is in my neck of the woods in Dubois County, plus some pies from the famous Wick’s Pies, including a sugar cream pie (an Indiana favorite).”

“Pork and pie for bragging rights. You in?”

A few hours later, the Florida governor accepted the challenge. 

“I am happy to oblige,” DeSantis replied. “If Indiana wins, I’ll send stone crabs and key lime pie from Joe’s Stone Crab. I will just drop them off in Naples or Marco Island since that’s basically Indiana south this time of year.”

Pork is a popular betting chip in the Braun administration. Pork from Smoking Goose was put on the line in a wager with the Oklahoma governor ahead of the 2025 NBA Finals. 

Saturday, Braun posted photos with a signed football from Indiana head coach, writing “Hey Coach Cignetti, thanks for the signed ball! I’ll see you in Miami! Let’s go Indiana Football!”

IU and Miami are scheduled to kick off at 7:50 p.m. on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bars across Indianapolis are getting ready for a busy Monday night as Hoosier fans plan to head out for IU watch parties. Local bars say they are staffing up and ready to roll out the specials for IU fans.

“This is history for Indiana and IU,” IU fan, Jody Kofer said. “We are so excited to do this as one, as a community.”

The Tap, a bar located off of Delaware Street says they are ready to welcome in the Hoosier crowd. The manager, Sarah Gorman, says they are expecting to have one of their busiest days of the year on Monday.

“The past couple of games have just been absolutely crazy,” Gorman said. “I think this Monday is probably going to top it all.”

Kyle Miller, a server at The Tap, has been working there for about two years. He says big game days are always his favorite to work.

“It’s hard to walk in here, every table is full, everyone is cheering, and it’s just fun and gets crazy,” Miller said. “As much as you are not on the field or in the bleachers, you’re there, you are.”

Another local bar, Tie-Breakers, has only been open for about two months. The bar is located on Mass Ave. The owner, Wayne Raber, says they are expecting standing room only for the game.

“We are getting all the staff ready for a big day and an IU win,” Raber said. “We pretty much feel like this is an IU bar. The last games were packed, so we are looking forward to the excitement again.”

A server at Tie-Breakers, Jayce Nielsen, says working during recent IU games has felt like a maze trying to weave through the crowds while carrying hot plates of food.

“Coming out with three or four plates, you just got to try and get through a bunch of people, but it’s fun,” Nielsen said. “When the Hoosiers score, it is like an earthquake in here.”

Both The Tap and Tie-Breakers are bringing special deals for the crowds on Monday, but those aren’t the only bars rolling out deals for the game. Below you can find a list of Indianapolis bars that are hosting “watch parties,” where you can enjoy some good food, drinks, and a great seat for the big game.

Indianapolis Area Options

Tie-Breakers – 339 Massachusetts Ave

The Tap – 306 N Delaware St

The Hangar – $40 ticketed event at 501 Madison Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tom’s Watch Bar – 140 S. Illinois St.

Ralston’s Drafthouse – 635 Massachusetts Ave.

Liter House: Free ticketed event with capped attendance at 5301 Winthrop Ave. from 6-10 p.m.

A little bit of sun may have shined over Central Indiana Saturday morning, but colder air has already settled in over the region for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Chilly days are ahead, the National Weather Service Indianapolis says. Hoosiers are advised to layer up if they are outside for prolonged periods of time — including if it’s to cheer on the Indiana University Hoosiers football team in Monday night’s championship game against the University of Miami.

“We had a little bit of sun this morning, but the clouds are moving back in,” said Kacie Fuson, meteorologist for NWS Indianapolis. “We’ve got chances for flurries for much of the day.”

Temperatures are expected to top out in the 20s on Saturday and Sunday, with Monday forecasted to be the coldest day of the holiday weekend. Fuson said a high of around 16 degrees is expected. Chillingly, however, it will feel even colder. Wind chills are expected to drop as low as -5 to -10 degrees over the weekend through Monday.

“It makes it feel even colder,” she said. “If you’re spending a lot of time outside, the wind is going to quickly decrease your body temperature because the warmth around you disappears faster.”

More: Extreme cold: Why your house is popping and how to prevent your windows from cracking

The colder weather is expected to linger until mid-week, when the high will be near 40 on Wednesday, before temperatures boomerang. Toward the end of the week, Central Indiana can expect temperatures to drift back to near 30.

For now, Hoosiers, especially those out and about watching and celebrating the championship game, are advised to layer up and stay inside when possible.

“They definitely need to bundle up and try and find a place to watch the game indoors or near a heater,” Fuson said.

What’s the National Weather Service weekend forecast?

According to NWS Indianapolis, the following weather conditions are expected this weekend:

Saturday: Isolated snow showers before 11 a.m., then scattered flurries afterward. It’s expected to be partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 26 degrees. West wind will be around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. The night’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 13 degrees and west wind 9 to 11 mph.

Sunday: A 20% chance of snow after 1 p.m. It’s expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 25 degrees. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Sunday night weather conditions are expected to be cloudy, then gradually become partly cloudy. There will be a low around 11 degrees, and southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Monday: It’ll be mostly sunny, with a high near 17 degrees. West wind forecasted to be around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Monday night conditions will be mostly clear, with a low around 6 degrees and west wind 6 to 8 mph.

See the rest of the NWS Indianapolis 7-day forecast for Central Indiana.

Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris and on Bluesky at‪@allymburris.bsky.social‬.