OT:Offered tickets to Ohio game

Submitted by pdxwolve on

Yesterday, I was offered a ticket to go to the Ohio game over Thanksgiving. With flight, hotel, ticket, etc., it's probably going to set me back a few grand, which may be a drop to some of you, but I'm a teacher. On top of this, missing Thanksgiving with the kids and wife.

I have the go-ahead, and I can make the finances work. I would be going with some Ohio grads from out here in Portland. A few years back, I would have called this a no-brainer, but I'm curious what the board would do. I've never been to the horseshoe before (though I can't say it's on my bucket list), but with all the crap I've heard about going down there, I'm wondering if I should do it.

Would you do it?

Wolverine Devotee

July 14th, 2014 at 12:36 AM ^

Go.

All that's in columbus is a pocket of Maize and Blue during games there. When those fuckheads come here though, they come here by the masses. 

Gee, I wonder why? Maybe it's because their fans don't get stuff thrown at them because sober Michigan fans are civilized. 

I don't know if I could ever go down there. I can't stand even looking at their logo. I haven't even seen a game against ohio in person at Michigan Stadium. Or any rival for that matter.

Only rivalry games I've been to were Hockey against state. And both times I was doing mad shit talking after Michigan broke state's heart in OT, because their fans were talking all game in front of us. 

oriental andrew

July 14th, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^

To be fair, he is still only 18 years old, so this type of testosterone-fueled bravado is completely normal.  The current thinking is that the brain isn't fully developed until around age 25, so he is a few neurons short yet  (read: 18 year olds tend to be dumb)  ;)

TIMMMAAY

July 14th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^

I don't know if I could ever go down there. I can't stand even looking at their logo.

That was the part I was referring to, fyi. The "mad shit talking" I can understand, though I don't condone it. 

mh277907

July 14th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^

To be fair, the fact that OSU fans go up to Ann Arbor in droves may be because of the recent outcomes of The Game. Michigan Stadium was not like that early on in the Tressel years or when Cooper was getting his ass kicked.

And I hate the generalization of the Ohio Stadium experience that says you will get shit thrown on you every time you go. Mostly because it is simply not true (does it happen? Yes. Does it happen in isolated instances at every major university including Michigan? Yes. Is it the norm? Absolutely not.) I go to 90% of the OSU home games each year (including the UM game) and very, very rarely have I seen anything more than a little trash talking. 

But the reason I hate it most is because it discourages fans of opposing teams to visit one of the best stadiums and get a feel for one of the best football experiences in the country. Some friends and I are trying to make it to every B1G stadium and it has been awesome so far. I encourage anyone who is a fan of football to try to do the same if possible - including viisting Ohio State. I promise you that you won't find a fight unless you are looking for one. 

saveferris

July 14th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^

I've been to Columbus twice and I've had stuff thrown at me...twice.  I agree that not every OSU fan is a bad person, but there is definitely a mentality down there that grants some level of acceptance for treating Michigan fans badly.  I've visited every B1G football venue (at least before the Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland expansion) and the treatment I've received at Ohio Stadium is orders of magnitude worse than anyplace else I've been....it's not even close.

That said, every fanbase has their share of assholes, no doubt, but generalizations exist because they have some basis in reality.

clarkiefromcanada

July 14th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^

East Lansing has a bit if this mentality developing but Columbus is a whole other experience. If you're supporting Michigan at Ohio it's best to travel with a larger group of Michigan fans and be prepared for a lot of crap talking and potential threats/thrown items. Ohio fans back down if confronted though or if they get the sense you won't put up with those actions.



I've attended with Ohio fans (in M gear) and their fans mostly torment their fans I was with...calling them names, mostly.



OP should go.

CRISPed in the DIAG

July 14th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^

I've had OSU fans scream at me in Ann Arbor.  OSU fan behavior reached the point in 2011 where I don't want to go to the game in my home stadium. Can't imagaine what its like for Michigan fans in Columbus.  Do you think it is an accident that we'll never see an OSU/UM night game in Ann Arbor?  I know....I know....*weather*.

BlockM

July 14th, 2014 at 9:29 AM ^

I agree that he should go if finances allow, but good heavens man, try to keep a little bit of perspective.

Contrary to what you might think, OSU fans are actually human beings who just happen to root for a different school than you do. I know you've invested your entire person hood into U-M, but you're on track to be one of the reasons other fans hate us right back.

boliver46

July 14th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^

may be few and far between - but I have to say, even non-rivalry games bring out the worst in some people.

Saw Toledo play down there before Toledo was any good.  The first play from scrimmage - the QB lined up behind the GUARD...that's how NOT good we were.  Yet, for some reason we saw guys p!ssing into cups and leaning over the side of the 'shoe and dumping it on people.

I have no desire to go down there ever again.

MGJS SuperKick Party

July 14th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^

You're still a young buck, so I'll give you some wisdom since I was a young buck not that long ago.



Two important things you should know: 1. Don't talk shit unless you're willing to get punched. If you're willing to get punched, you're taking the game to seriously and you need to put things more into perspective. 2. Ohio State fans are as cool as Michigan fans, they just cheer for a different team. Same with MSU, Nebraska, Minnesota, Penn State, etc...



I know you love the school as much if not more than people on the board, but I have a feeling I'll be seeing you at first aid more than once this year on my way out of the stadium because you are going to be talking shit.

MGJS SuperKick Party

July 14th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^

I have been to enough games to know the atmosphere. I have been a season ticket holder for 10 years now. Since I was just called out:

3 years when I was in high school

5 years of being a student ticket holder

3 years of buying tickets as an alum.

I've been to plenty of games. I'm not saying you're going to get punched every single time you open your mouth, but you better be ready for some drunk person to take a swipe at you.

bringthewood

July 14th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^

Been going to games for 40+ years.  Also been to away games at ND, Purdue, Illinois, and MSU.  OSU is easily the worst place for visiting fans.  If you were to survey all Big Ten teams on the worst atmosphere for a visiting team OSU would easily come out on top for EVERYONE.  That OSU sucks for opposing fans is not an urban legend nor is their vile nature limited to Michigan fans, everyone is treated like crap.

sadeto

July 14th, 2014 at 12:34 AM ^

You'll be with friends, you'll have a blast, go. I'm in the same boat, standing offer every year the game is in Ohio, usually can't make it from NY but this year I probably will.

Clark Griswold

July 14th, 2014 at 1:19 AM ^

My friends that have all been always tell me to never go there. Unless you like getting spit on, piss thrown at you, or have your children's lives threatened. I'll never go to Columbus for a game.

DrewGOBLUE

July 14th, 2014 at 5:44 AM ^

Have to agree with this as well. Both the Sugar Bowl and Final Four were better experiences and a lot more fun than any away game I've attended. I'd put the money aside for something of that sort.

rob f

July 14th, 2014 at 4:47 AM ^

don't have that high-tech feature yet, though.  You'd be best advised to just leave it there after tailgating.

Seriously, though---go.  Enjoy.  I went with a buddy and our wives back in '90 and had a great time, didn't have any problems with the locals at all.  (Of course, that was two generations of Ohioans ago, though, and I've heard the grandchildren aren't as well-mannered anymore.)

LordGrantham

July 14th, 2014 at 4:18 AM ^

A few grand to see Michigan lose in the Shoe?  I can think of about 987,695 better ways to spend that money.

GoBLUinTX

July 14th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^

Michigan upset OSU in the Shoe.  How many better ways can you think of to spend that money?

Three years ago, with no more hope of watching Michigan win, I too made a similar pre-season investment to watch Michigan play OSU.  I'm glad I did, a beautiful day, a great game, and of course savoring the victory.

Badkitty

July 14th, 2014 at 4:54 AM ^

I went to a Staeeee game once. It wasn't awful once we were in the stadium but the heckling from the parking lot was pretty bad. It probably didn't help that my wife defiantly wore the colors pretty conspicuously. I was mostly worried about vandalism to my car.

YaterSalad

July 14th, 2014 at 5:49 AM ^

I have been to a couple Sparty games and I think it depends on who you tailgate with ... I have some MSU alums and we party near the arboretum. Never had any problems there. Maybe they take it easy on me because I have Sparty friends to start with. I am sure if I was alone or part of a huge Mich tailgate the heckling would start. I think it is always best to be befriend, or try to, some fans of the home team - no matter where you go. Then,cheer your ass off in the stadium.

YaterSalad

July 14th, 2014 at 5:45 AM ^

I went to the game in 2006 at the Shoe. The game itself, once in the stadium, was a real blast. Before it, however, was not ... The buckeyes fans were complete a**holes. The entire tailgate was a series of people yelling at you and throwing cups, hotdogs, etc. Then, walking to the game, a man yelled into my ear with a megaphone ... Ear was ringing for weeks. I assume these are the types of crazies who can't afford the tickets and are there just for the party. Because, like I said, the ones I sat around were very nice - this older man next to me chatted football and told me about the history of the shoe.



I say GO for the experience. Not sure it is worth the couple grand to travel from Portland. But, then again, it certainly is something every Mich fan should experience. I know some peeps who go regularly, BTW, and they've never had - apart from similar stories with dicks - any damage to their car or other personal property. Back in the day, I think the spray painted cars and slashed tires with Mich plates was more urban legend than anything.

Two Hearted Ale

July 14th, 2014 at 6:44 AM ^

I've been to a lot of games in Columbus. There are a lot of bars near the stadium so it's set up for someone without all the tailgate gear. You will take some verbal abuse but shouldn't have to worry about anything else unless you are the type of person who has to engage drunk, obnoxious fans. Honestly, going with Buckeyes is probably the way to go for a good experience. That said, I've never seen Michigan win in Columbus so I can't say what the drunks would do after a home loss.

Michigan Arrogance

July 14th, 2014 at 7:39 AM ^

eh, I wouldn't spend 1-2k for the privilege of getting batteries thrown at you and grandmothers flipping you off. Not to mention the really obnoxious loudmouth fans that hit the tailgate too hard. plus, M will likely be an 7-10pt dog.

IDK, live sporting events are just not my thing anymore. these days, the prices as so high people think they are entitled to do and yell anything they want in the stands and it grinds my gears. It's a liscence to get drink in public and be an asshole. No shame in people anymore. get off my lawn.