Question about going to Michigan OSU game at the Horseshoe
What sections are for visiting fans? I don't want to sit with a bunch of Bucknuts. Also, where should I park with a Michigan license plate? Is it safe to walk to the stadium/around the concourse with a Michigan shirt on? I can take a bunch of f you's but don't want actual physical violence. I've been to every other Big Ten football stadium and want to make it to all 14 to see Michigan play.
If it's still there, visit The Bucket Tavern on High Street downtown Columbus on the eve of The Game. And be sure to go completely decked out in Maize and Blue.
You can thank me later.
As far as I (and google) know, there's no Bucket Tavern downtown anymore - closest thing is the Rusty Bucket Tavern which is a local franchise of comfort food sports bars, but none of the locations are downtown (though, no one's in downtown on weekends anyways)
Emphasis on "decked out". Last time my friends and I visited a Columbus bar for The Game decked out in Michigan gear, one of my friends was literally decked out by three bouncers for no good reason other than singing The Victors. Punched in the face, and upon falling to the ground, kicked in the face.
Have not been back since. And that was decades ago, when civility was still expected in most parts, unlike nowadays.
Enjoy yourself there.
Was just in Columbus last weekend driving back from the eastern seaboard. It was a warm summer Saturday night and I took a walk down High Street with my group. Just to see the atmosphere.
Long story short, High Street is a complete fucking disaster. The bastard child of New Orleans and Cleveland somehow all mashed into a corporate drinking zone which only makes sense to zombies from Ohio.
Columbus has problems. Appears to be holding on by a thread.
With a name like Thad I thought you'd be less of a pussy. Get your ass to C bus. Get a student ticket. Get your lazy ass in the student section and take the pain. Otherwise, STFH!
Wear only Michigan gear and explicitly antagonize every buckeye fan you see. Do not thank, nor sue me later.
And be sure to yell "Go Blue" and "42 to 27" loudly and as much as possible. Everything should work out fine for you
I'm pretty sure the proper expression is "forty-two, twenty-seven" without the "to" in the middle.
I went to a MSU game at EL. My wife is a sparty fan. I had my full M gear. My wife was wearing MSU jacket. My experience wasn't pleasant. Too many drunk jerks swearing at me and commenting to my wife about hanging out with me. No physical violence except for one beer thrown. There were many M fans.
Never been to OSU game at the shoe. I bet you OSU fans will not sell their tickets as much as MSU would. I expect the treatment to be much worse. I don't know if it is in me to visit that place. Too much hassle. When I was younger I would have more confidence. Probably need some good Buckeye to go with me but I don't know any of them.
"I bet you OSU fans will not sell their tickets as much as MSU would."
Don't you mean '...as much as UM would'?
There are far too many jackasses with UM tickets too willing to sell them for a buck...
When I had season tickets, I had a coworker whose dad was an osu alum offer $1500 a seat, he was a higher up at 5/3 bank and liked to flaunt his money. That said I never accepted and his dad always found a seat. He told me the offer was standing so any year I wanted to sell them, let him know. He'd contact me every other year, 07-15.. after a while he knew the answer and stopped.
Not going to lie, $3,000 was tough to turn down...
ThadMattasagoblin: Wear a T-shirt with your best MGoBlog shitposts on UM recruiting. (There are hundreds of them.) You'll be welcomed with open arms at Bucknut tailgates.
As a columbus resident, I can say the worst behavior has diminished over the last decade, but who knows how much 42-27 will reignite their passion.
Wear your gear and you will get sworn at, told to go home, etc. Ive had beer thrown/dumped on me about half the games I went to, but all outside the stadium. I went with seth yeats ago and thought it was a mild year, he was appalled by their behavior.
I sat with my wife in the student section 3-4 years ago and was literally kicked from behind. When I turned in rage the offenders friends were all harassing him and swore it wouldn't happen again.
Its an experience, go support the team if you have the desire.
We hate Michigan, but we hate the fans that make us look like trash even worse. I probably would’ve held him down for you.
Username checks out?
I will offer up my advice on this, but as a PeacefulBuck perhaps you'll listen and learn.
The distinction between a good and bad fanbase is not the level of POS hateful fans, but how the good fans police the POS fans. Every single fanbase has their fair share of POS fans, but will the good fans stand against it? I can say with certain, that at OSU, that's a strong "No!". My parents were raised in Cleveland, and my dad is a big OSU fan. My dad will NOT go to another OSU game because he has a Michigan license plate and he can't trust the general OSU fans.
My mom and dad are good OSU fans. My cousins and goddaughter in Akron are good OSU fans. But the vast majority are fucking shite fans because they will NOT stand up to dregs in the fanbase.
Thank you for educating me on my own fanbase. I was under the impression that all of our fans are level-headed Rhodes scholars.
I went to the MSU at OSU game last year and it was a lot fun as a neutral third party. I’m not sure I’d ever go down there for The Game dressed in maize and blue.
I’m not sure I’d ever go down there for The Game dressed in maize and blue.
Especially this year. it could get loud and nasty
This.
The mouth breathers had chilled out around Columbus a bit because of their recently winning dominance. No way I go down there this year being a maize & blue, loud pompous ass Michigan fan.
If you do, at least they have very good hospital systems down there and you should receive adequate medical attention.
Good luck.
I attended the 2016 game at The Shoe with my OSU-lovin’ father-in-law. His season tickets were in an upper bowl section full of OSU fans. Michigan had switched to Jumpman gear that year, and I had a lot of gear on. I got many, many “F you Jumpman!” comments directed my way. I was standing and cheering for Michigan on big plays, but I made a point of toning down my level of obnoxiousness. The walk to and from the stadium from where we parked was long, and every 5 seconds there was an “F Michigan”-related comment.
I would go again in Michigan gear (and hope to this year), but my encouragement would be remove any bumper stickers or magnets or Michigan stuff from your car. I don’t THINK fans will mess up just any car with a plain Michigan plate, but I guess you never know. Their fans are intense, aggressive, entitled, etc - so if you antagonize them, you’ll get a disproportionate level of hate directed your way and probably wear some of their food and beverages home. I had popcorn poured on me when OSU tied the game late, but I laughed it off and I never felt in danger at the game.
Was at the JT was short game in section 26A. My buddy and I were literally the only Michigan faithful in the section and it was awesome. Great banter with those around us and shook hands after the game(although the JT was short trash just happened, so I wasn’t in the highest of spirits).
Lots of middle fingers in my face on the way back to the car. Would 100% do it again because I dream of walking out of there with a win.
I was also at that game. I was in the upper deck (I don't remember the specific section). I actually had zero problem with the fans. Most of the conversation was normal. The worst part of the game was an old drunk Michigan fan who fell down 4 rows of bleachers and almost got kicked out by security. I rented a car with every insurance they offered just in case we won my brother and I were going to go out screaming.
One silly thing to mention, when we parked we weren't wearing any Michigan gear. After we paid and parked we put all our gear on and started walking to the stadium. We happen to pass the guy collecting for the parking and he said to us, "had I known you two were Michigan fans I would have charged you double." I'm just going to assume he was serious and it's maybe something to consider.
Love it. At the end of the day, OSU fans travel way better to AA than we do to Columbus, so I felt like I was doing my small part by wearing Maize & Blue and being there for the team. I don't see why Michigan fans shouldn't have that same mentality. Going with a group is a good idea though if possible.
So, coincidentally, I am an usher at Ohio Stadium, and 26A is my section. I don’t recall whether or not I spoke with you that day, but I am glad to hear that you had a good time. It's my goal (and that of my fellow ushers) that all fans, including the visiting ones, have a positive experience while at the Shoe.
I will say that all the Wolverine fans that I did interact with during that game were class acts and did their team proud, cheering hard for their team while still being friendly with the home fans and reserving their limited profanity for the refs.
To be honest, Michigan fans as a whole are definitely in the top half of my personal "Classiest Visiting B1G Fans" ranking system (and, just in case you were wondering, Nebraska fans are at the top of my rankings while Penn State fans are at the bottom).
My dentist is a UNL grad and a season ticket holder, booster, etc. and a HUGE football fan. Because what else is there to do in Nebraska.
Anyway, she was super excited to go to the shoe for the first time.
I checked in with her when I got back, and she looked like some of my troops did after a long tour. The glazed over look in her eyes. SMH.
Appreciate your post though.
Avoid it at all costs. The stadium is over-rated and the fans are POS humans.
"I don't want to sit with a bunch of Bucknuts."
Seriously? Then don't go. You'll be in a stadium with ~100,000 truck drivers drooling for Michigan's demise and screaming for 100. You think you'll find a seat where you're not within earshot of 'Bucknuts'?
JFC...
Right on. I don't get these posts - which occur all too often - and especially in fucking June. "How is The Game in Columbus?" "Is it safe?" Go or don't but you know exactly what you're getting into without polling the board.
I would not recommend going. I've never had a pleasant experience. Their fans are assholes, there's no other way to put it.
I have been to all 14.
Go with a group, if possible. Don't wear visible maize/blue. Don't wear your favorite --anything. Be prepared to have batteries, feces, etc thrown at you. Keep your head on a swivel. Keep your mouth shut.
Bring back a Win.
Thank you.
Leave a red shirt visible in your car... otherwise it might get keyed.... and don't drive even one mile over the speed limit while driving down in Ohio, they'll ticket you.
Leave a red shirt visible in your car... otherwise it might get keyed.... and don't drive even one mile over the speed limit while driving down in Ohio, they'll ticket you.
This is true.
A pal of mine had turds arranged on the hood of his car in the shape of an "O".
Man I hope you go. Your attitude and love for all things Michigan should be enough for you to survive anything to do with the Shoe. Lol
Sarcastic suggestion follows: go to Yankee Stadium when Bahstan is in NY for a series and sit in the Bleacher Creature section while wearing Red Sox gear. You'll have a wonderful time, be warmly welcomed and treated well. (yeah right)
I just don't get the urge to wear the colors in "hostile territory".
As a Bleacher Creature myself, I can tell you that the new Stadium's bleachers are actually pretty nice seats, and you're more likely to encounter a large group of tourists who know nothing about the game and spend most if it eating and taking selfies, than you are the legendary wild Bleacher Creatures that used to be cut off from the rest of the stadium in the 80's.
Bring your own cooler. I heard the ones that are provided are for OSU fans only.
If I went there I would rent a car and pay for the added insurance. Wouldn't risk my vehicle to damage.
Go Blue!!!!
I went once. We won. Tells you how long ago that was.
I sat in the Michigan section. I avoided any incidents outside but I am convinced it’s because I took off my M hat and covered my M shirt. Because I was not overtly an OSU fan, the locals presumed I was from Michigan and were not midwestern nice.
They should be less bitter these days but…sounds like they’re not.
I also went just once and also came home with a Michigan victory (in 1990---John Cooper gambled on 4th down from inside their own 30 with <2 minutes remaining and we stopped their QB Frey for no gain. JD Carlson then hit a FG from ~40 yds FTW!). We (me and a buddy and our wives) wore Michigan gear, sat in the NE corner in the 2nd row, but didn't get hit or hurt by any flying objects, though a large handful of flying f*cks were thrown our way.
Other than that, some "wait til basketball season!" threats.
The problem is that now, 32 years later (that's 3 generations in Columbutucky) all the extra inbreeding has ramped the stoopidity level all the way to 11.
And the Clevon family tree in C-Bus is not slowing down.
I'm gonna #$^% *all* y'all!
I couldn't tell you the section for visiting fans, only time I've ever been was when I took my father in law's tickets for the 2014 game. The seats were in the club section and nowhere near the student section, but I will say that year, I got no real flak on the walk over to the stadium, nor in the stadium itself. Not anything more than just a half-hearted but jovial "boo Michigan," couple of thumbs down, absolutely nothing that wasn't in good taste. I actually had a pleasant conversation during the game with two OSU fans sitting in front of me who were just bummed that Michigan wasn't any good, as they wanted Michigan to be a challenge again. They were the type of "We want to beat Michigan every year, but we want them 11-0 or 10-1 when they roll in here." Really nice people. So that year, I had a pretty pleasant experience, all things considered. But when you go into a game with no expectations you can't be disappointed.
That being said, I would NOT take the experience I had and expect to receive anything similar. I lived in Columbus during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and most OSU fans I conversed with didn't hate Michigan during that time so much as they just pitied it. They had the luxury of being able to take that game for granted. Now, a year after getting their rear-ends whipped 42-27 and having national title hopes ruined, you can bet OSU fans will be foaming at the mouth for revenge. If you can, I'd tell you to find parking somewhere west of the stadium where you don't have to walk through or park anywhere on campus.
I don't think you should expect physical violence, and I'm betting most OSU fans would never take it that far, but just don't put yourself in a bad situation and you'll be okay. Make common sense decisions, don't antagonize or instigate anyone, don't mouth off, don't drink too much (or if you're like me, at all) before the game, stay with and surround yourself with a group of people that you trust, and you'll be fine.
If you can, I'd tell you to find parking somewhere west of the stadium where you don't have to walk through or park anywhere on campus.
While I'm sure parking prices will reflect that, this is good advice. The toilet seat is at the NW quadrant of campus. The frat houses are on the SE edge of campus, so unless you really want to play the most antagonistic game of beer pong ever with a future thrice-divorced payday loan account exec, there's no reason to go thru that part of town.
Here's some additional info on what aOSU did last year for public transport on gamedays https://news.osu.edu/buckeye-fans-will-see-new-traffic-patterns-on-game-day/
Best post in the thread. Perkis is 100% right. 42-27 is going to make this game very hostile though. Don’t rub it in, just put your head down and try to stick with some buckeye fans who are interested in light-hearted banter on the way to the stadium. There should be more than enough for you to find on the way there as they will find you.
I've been teargassed twice in my life, and both times were in Columbus.
Avoid if you can.
You had one of the more pleasant experiences - it gets worse with those a-holes
To be fair, I got tear gassed on South U after the Chris Webber timeout game.
Everyone spilled into the streets and some idiots decided to throw beer bottles at cops on horses. When the horses started getting agitated, the cops decided to end it and end it quickly.
main question really is, what is warde doing about securing fair referees, this time.