There's a reason bowl season typically features southerly locations or indoor stadiums, but this is the new world of the College Football Playoffs!

The first round will feature four home games for the higher seeded team and with three of those games set to take place in the Midwest and Northeast, things are looking frigid!

Friday

As Indiana and Notre Dame kick things off Friday evening (top of page), temperatures are expected to be below freezing for the entire contest, with wind chills into the low 20s and snow flurries possible toward the second half. At least both of these teams hail from the Hoosier State.

Saturday

The first game on Saturday is likely to be the coldest, as SMU travels to State College, PA where snow will likely be on the ground. Snow isn't expected during the game, but temperatures will hover in the mid 20s and the wind will certainly make things worse as it blows in from the NW at 15 mph! Wind chills will likely be around 10-15° for most of the contest.

Temperatures may technically be colder in Columbus than State College by the end of the game, but the wind won't be as strong, meaning it likely won't feel as cold. It's still going to be frigid though, with temperatures in the 20s for the entire event.

While snow is falling in some of these locations on Friday, snow doesn't look likely for most of the games. The best chance for flurries is likely around Notre Dame if lake effect snow can drift over campus.

Clemson and Texas fans are in for a treat compared to fans attending the other first round games. Temperatures will be comfortable during the tailgate, getting a bit cool by the end of the game.

The next round of the College Football Playoffs will likely be much more mild, with outdoor games in Phoenix and Pasadena and the other contests held indoors in Atlanta and New Orleans.