Mike Hall won't be at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. Hall, who graduated from Kansas University in May, tried getting tickets to the Border Showdown between Kansas and Missouri on eBay but couldn't handle the hefty price tag.

"We couldn't get four tickets for less than 700 bucks," Hall said.

So now he is left with two options.

"I will either go to my buddy's house here in Lawrence," he said. "Or I will head out with friends and watch the game at Wayne and Larry's."

Initially, Hall was frustrated by his failure to grab a coveted seat to the football game, but now he's psyched to be in town.

"Lawrence is the epicenter of college sports right now," he said. "Plus, when you're sitting on your couch in front of a TV, any seat's a good seat."

Whichever option he chooses will involve a lot of partying, and the fun will start early.

"We'll make a whole day out of the game," he said. "If I'm at my friend's house, then we'll probably start in the morning, and if we going to the bar, then we'll be there no later than 5."

Hall is also relishing the fact that he will be town immediately after the game.

"When KU wins, Lawrence is going to be the place to be," he said. "Downtown, people are probably going to be outside on the streets celebrating."

Wayne Martin, owner of Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar and Grill, 933 Iowa, anticipates that many fans will hit local bars three to four hours before Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised on ABC.

"It's probably going to be our biggest crowd of the year," Martin said.

The Jayhawks' powerhouse team this season has been great for Martin's business. He estimates his Saturday business has doubled the past few weekends. And he's got a game plan for this weekend.

"We're adding staff so we can better serve everybody," he said. "We're moving out our pool tables, so that gives us 40 or 50 extra seats for the game."

Other local establishments have similar expectations for turnout.

At Jefferson's Restaurant, 743 Mass., general manager Sarah Franklin expects the entire day to be busy.

"Earlier in the day we will probably have some Thanksgiving weekend shoppers coming in," Franklin said. "Then we'll have the dinner crowd and people wanting to watch the game will start coming in."

Even business owners disappointed by the game being played at Arrowhead instead of in Lawrence are excited.

"We'll be watching and cheering on KU," said Jerry Neverve, owner of Red Lyon Tavern, 944 Mass.

Patrons who bring in unused tickets for the game on Saturday will receive free food at Red Lyon. The Bum Steer catering will provide a buffet beginning at 5 p.m.

"We're partnering with local concessions who would normally be working KU home football games," Neverve said.

For KU fans who think bars and restaurants will be too crowded - or who prefer being outdoors - there is another option at the corner of Ninth and New Hampshire streets.

Downtown Lawrence Inc. will host an outdoor watch party on the vacant lot north of the New Hampshire Street parking garage, where the game will be projected onto the garage wall.

"Plan on having a good time," said Jane Pennington, Downtown Lawrence executive director.

The grounds at Ninth and New Hampshire open at 6 p.m. Beer and food will be sold at the event until 11 p.m. People planning to attend will have to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets or other seating for the game.

Six patio heaters will be available because of the predicted cold weather. Private security also has been arranged for the event.

6News intern Crispin Lopez can be reached at 832-6335.