Fans Descend On The Southland For BCS National Championship Game

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — The Southland is in preparation mode for Monday's BCS National Championship.

Crews in Pasadena were hard at work Friday to transform the Rose Bowl Stadium for the game between Auburn and Florida State.

Fans of the Tigers and the Seminoles flew cross-country to take part in the festivities.

"We flew out last night, came through Denver, spent the night at the airport, and got out here this afternoon. It was worth every minute," Auburn fan Tim Hanes said.

FSU fan Laurise Thomas said, "I'm excited about being at this historic Rose Bowl. I've been to every national championship game that we've had, so I'm keeping the train going."

Souvenir stands have sprung up, not only at the stadium, but on Colorado Boulevard.

"I've bought myself a Florida State shirt and we have friends who are Auburn fans, so we went ahead and bought them an Auburn shirt, too," Michael Plagens said.

KCAL9's Bobby Kaple reports that Pasadena is expected to see an increase in business because of the football game, as hoards of people are filling the streets, restaurants, bars and hotel rooms.

Meantime, both teams and some fans were in Orange County Friday night, as Newport Beach is the host city for the BCS.

Doug Bailey, a Florida State alum, flew in from Washington, D.C.

"It's been 13 years since we've played a national championship game, so it's long overdue. We wouldn't miss it for the world," he said.

Jack and Dolores Oswell flew into John Wayne Airport from Alabama to cheer on Auburn.

"We left 18 degree weather, so this is wonderful," Dolores said.

Newport businesses said they expect a $6 million boost to the local economy.