OT: OUT of the Jaws of the Enemy (Or my wife's first trip to the Horseshoe pt. Deux)
Hi!
I survived!
I had posted last week for assistance with Parking for the OSU/Toledo game this past Saturday.
After a previous trip to the Shoe resulted in some negative interactions - I reached out to find a "safe haven" for a Toledo fan taking his wife to her first OSU game.
Some folks commented that they'd like an update after the fact, so here it is:
We arrived on campus around 3:30 descending into a sea of red and made our way to the Rec Center for the "Skull Session". Basically, this was a pre-game pep rally of sorts where the band played (including Alumni that day), some players, and even Ryan Day spoke to the crowd to pump everyone up.
At first, it felt like being submerged into a cult meeting you never wanted to be a part of - but I took a commentor's advice and just tried to enjoy the moment.
I had hoped for some X's and O's talk since it was called a Skull Session - but it was hype all the way.
Not sure if Michigan does anything like this, but I was kinda jealous of cool it was to see how inclusive OSU was towards its fans and wanting to make the game day experience that much better.
We actually were in Section 37AA Row 14 - wonderful seats despite realizing we were sitting literally RIGHT NEXT to the OSU Band and IN the Block O Student Section.
Thought for sure this would be where some anti-Toledo shenanigans would start, but it was pretty tame to be honest.
Little booing as Toledo came on the field with the worst comment I heard being: 'Go back to Toledo and your Welfare school!" Creative, I guess?
Actually enjoyed being in the student section despite being an old man - and hearing some of their coordinated chats made me wish I hadn't been a commuter kid.
All in all, we had a GREAT time despite the outcome. Toledo looked good at first, and then just couldn't keep up.
And the most important part? Made my wife's year. #HappyWifeHappyLife
Thank you to those who helped make her day!
(And yes, I know I am punching above my weight class lol)
September 19th, 2022 at 3:35 PM ^
Glad you survived. The photo of the arena is like peeking directly into one of the Circles of Hell.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:21 PM ^
You come down into a veritable ocean of red, with rings and rings of cultish red-clad hillbillies.
I couldn't help thinking Dante's Inferno and entering the 7th level of Hell.
It was fun though. :)
September 19th, 2022 at 7:36 PM ^
Wearing a Toledo polo to a OSU game to see how the act is like a chicken wearing a broccoli suit into a tank of piranha to see how they respond.
September 19th, 2022 at 8:58 PM ^
Other safe choices...
September 19th, 2022 at 3:41 PM ^
Thanks for the update - I was very curious. Can you confirm if you saw this billboard on your way in?
September 19th, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
LOL!
No, but this one was almost as scary:
September 19th, 2022 at 7:30 PM ^
I was driving from Michigan to Buffalo this summer and went around through Ohio instead of my usual route through Canada (I didn't know what the entry would be like). I hadn't been that way in years and this sign really had me confused. It felt like I entered some alternate universe where north and south are not completely opposite directions.
September 20th, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
That split is in my hometown, and the crazy thing is you’re ACTUALLY headed West on that roughly one-mile strip 🤯
September 19th, 2022 at 3:41 PM ^
I don't understand. It looks like you went there as a 'fan' of some MAC minnow who locals may easily mistake as one of those part-time Buckeyes who went to a MAC school in company of a full-on Buckeye decked out in Buckeye gear. You may as well have just put on that OSU hat yourself and reported back your experience.
"I had a decent day as an OSU fan at an OSU home game".
September 19th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
Hahahhahahahaha.
As someone who grew up as a Michigan fan in an OSU household in Toledo, an all-OSU school district in Toledo, endured BEATINGS because I professed my love for all things University of Michigan, all I can say is:
Plus I am a proud graduate of said "Minnow School" and played as a walk-on for one year.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
Not sure what "bubble" you're meant to be bursting. The point is that you went to an OSU vs Toledo game (i.e. a cupcake game without any serious implications where visiting fans could be seen as 'hostiles'). In fact, I'm sure a significant chunk of the Toledo fans would likely not be unsympathetic to OSU anyway given that Toledo is 50/50 territory traditionally.
Nothing about your attire or behavior indicated that you would be a Michigan fan or even not a Buckeye fan given your wife's outfit. What I'm saying is I'm not sure why you wouldn't survive or not have a good time there. That's like going to a Michigan vs EMU game wearing EMU gear. No-one's going to give you crap, obviously.
September 19th, 2022 at 5:20 PM ^
He went to support his school as an undercover M fan. I think it’s subversive and awesome. Who cares if they didn’t roast him? He got to see what’s fun about it.
Full disclosure: I’m also from Toledo and went to an HS that favored osu at least 70-30, maybe moreso throughout the early-mid tressel years. It’s rough out there son. His lady likes osu. He didn’t go there to make some point about how they’re all fkn pricks to M fans. If he wanted to prove that, he’d have waited until late November. (I went to the ‘04 game there as. 14-year-old kid in a Woodson jersey; I won’t go back.)
This post was a report from behind enemy lines and should be greeted with gratitude. His story is valid.
@Whatchoo - I didn’t go to M either bro, but I respect you for being a good sport and going down with your lady so she could have a good time, and showing out for your school. Personally, cbus makes me sick to my stomach, but you’re obviously a grown man who can hold his nose so his lady can have fun. Respect. Respect to the Rockets too.
Here’s to a W down there in late November. 🍻
September 19th, 2022 at 5:47 PM ^
Thanks man - growing up Blue in a sea of Red isn't easy
September 19th, 2022 at 5:42 PM ^
Quit being a dick doofus
September 19th, 2022 at 5:45 PM ^
The bubble is whatever is up your ass about a post that shouldn't mean anything to you. Don't like it? Don't comment on it and especially don't be a db.
You're awfully pressed about something you could have just scrolled by and had a great day.
To wit regarding your specific comments, I'm wearing a Toledo shirt to an OSU game. Had a Toledo hat but left it in the car on accident.
And I shared previously that the last time I was in Columbus for a TOLEDO game - the OSU fans were assholes pouring beer (and God knows what else) onto Toledo fans, and wanting to fight me after the game.
So yeah, i survived. I sat in the Student Section wearing visitor colors.
I'm sorry I didn't represent enough for you.
September 19th, 2022 at 5:07 PM ^
This would be my nomination for most wretchedly unfriendly post of the day. And a finalist for of the week, dude!
September 19th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
This is not a Facebook group. I expect some purpose to threads here that goes beyond "I had a lovely afternoon with my Bucknut wife".
September 20th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
I mean, by the way a lot of UM fans talk, even if he did wear a UM shirt, would our fans be able to tell the difference since we can’t read? The colors are the same. Maybe just be happy for a fellow UM fan there bud.
September 21st, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Name checks out!
Thanks Buck!
September 19th, 2022 at 3:41 PM ^
I'm sorry I can't respect this If you didn't wear Michigan gear.
We represent even in the pit of hell.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
I went to support Toledo! lol
September 19th, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^
Cute couple! Glad you had a good time. Thanks for letting us all know how it went.
September 19th, 2022 at 3:47 PM ^
You guys look great, and I'm glad y'all had a good time. You win Husband Points that I would never attempt to obtain.
Little known fact: Dante originally had a 10th level of Hell before the editors told him to cut some pages. It was that Skull Session, but for all of eternity. Shudder at the thought.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:03 PM ^
Happy wife, happy life! Sounds like a great day.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:04 PM ^
glad it was enjoyable for you and great job taking care of the mrs.
I hope the rest of her season sucks.... badly.
with all due respect.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
I don't know how to tell you this but it seems like your wife is a bucknut
September 19th, 2022 at 4:25 PM ^
She knows, but sadly the first step of recovery being acceptance doesn't work for Bucknuts.
I've tried.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:29 PM ^
I'm not sure if you had any reason to be concerned.
Not only is Toledo not Michigan, it's IN Ohio.
But the 2 important things: you had a good time AND your wife had a good time.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
I think whether Toledo belongs in Ohio has been a point of dispute.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^
Yea. Too soon?
September 19th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
We'll get that blasted city back one day! (Toothless Michigander shakes fist at Ohio.)
September 19th, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
As a Toledo native, I can assure you that Ohio lost.
September 19th, 2022 at 6:05 PM ^
Hey, chill! We don't wanna go to war over it.
Or do we?
September 19th, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
You probably didn't see my last post on the topic but when I went in 1998 for Toledo vs OSU it was a nightmare.
Flipping used chewing tobacco at UT fans, pouring beer and other stuff on them, cursing them out with kids present, and in my case wanting to fight me.
Yeah that was '98 but was still wanting it to be a positive experience for her with as little b.s. for me.
September 19th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
It's OK to do this for her as long as the birthday cake had 42 candles on one side and 27 on the other.
September 19th, 2022 at 7:07 PM ^
They probably would have done this had they not dropped 15 of the previous 16 candles.
September 19th, 2022 at 9:50 PM ^
Ooooo. Sick burn! But valid.
September 22nd, 2022 at 4:32 PM ^
I HATE YOU BUT YOU'RE RIGHT
September 19th, 2022 at 4:50 PM ^
Glad you survived. Now tell us what you got in return.
September 19th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
sorry i couldn't read past the skull session photo as i poured bleach into my eyes
September 19th, 2022 at 5:17 PM ^
If Michigan ever does anything the way Ohio does it we are truly fucked as a University, State, & Nation.
September 19th, 2022 at 6:37 PM ^
You both look like you had a swell time. Fun stuff!
September 19th, 2022 at 6:59 PM ^
Thanks for sharing. Handsome couple.
sorry bluemk is trying to pee in the pool. Must be a bad day for him
i would add that I’d only go to cbus if accompanied by my college and high school football sons, and/or some of my U of M football alumni buddies. Just can’t imagine those toothless wonders being able to control themselves in a mob situation.
September 19th, 2022 at 7:53 PM ^
Dude, you've got to be like 6'6", right? No excuse not to come back for The Game with full on Michigan representing.
September 20th, 2022 at 11:50 AM ^
6'4" - but we stood near the tunnel when players came out at halftime.
I looked like a child next to some of those dudes, and I'm 280 lbs.
I'll go if you go, especially if you rock that hair for real!
September 20th, 2022 at 12:04 PM ^
You had some really good seats! You’re a great man for getting her those seats for her first game! The skull session is pretty awesome to get to see the band/players come in before the game. As for the ribbing, it’s hard to come up with good insults or drum up hate for Toledo so at least you know you got it pretty lightly. Glad you guys enjoyed it and I hope you get to take her to another couple games throughout your guys’ marriage!