Seeking: Columbus Travel Tips

But you'll fit right in with this:

My best advice to you is to find a friend who is from Ohio and ask if you can drive their car. Nothing worse than a Michigan License plate at an Michigan/OSU game. It also will hurt you on the highway with the State Police if you are even going 5 miles over. I've only been to OSU once and having the car with Michigan plates only made me a target wherever I went....and people call Michigan fans names ?????

Having said that, I hope you have a great time. 

Yes.  Stay clear of High Street if you can, it'll be super-congested.  I haven't had to park on campus on a game saturday, but the Ackerman Rd. exit off of 315 is a good "back door" to campus.  I assume you're taking US-23 south so turn right on 161 in Worthington to connect to 315.

If the Ackerman exit is all full up, try the Olentangy River Rd. exit about a half-mile further down the road.  I'd also pick up a city road map at a rest station, it's fairly easy to get around the city if you have one handy.  Get a campus map off the university website too.

As for the fans, be alert, don't act like a complete idiot, and be prepared to debate at any moment.  They respect you more if you can talk some decent smack about OSU, e.g. Tress won't win any more NCs, Joe Germaine is playing in the Arena leagues now, etc.  Traveling in a group is a good idea too.  Go get 'em!

In all seriousness Andy unless you've been to a Michigan/OSU game in Columbus you have no idea what you're in store for.  I have been to games literally across the entire Big Ten, four Rose Bowls, an Orange Bowl and Notre Dame twice and I can tell you there is no fan base as angry as the OSU fans are.  They actually take it a personal insult that you are not rooting for their beloved Buckeyes and feel it is a matter of honor in physically attacking opposing fans to demonstrate their allegance to Ohio State.

Be careful.  Most people I know that got in real trouble down here did so when they responded to something stupid a group of OSU fans said to them. 

Yes personal experience. 

You nailed it C-Bus.  What truly makes me laugh is the naivity of the Michigan fan making a first time appearance here.  They honestly believe they will be treated much like we treat OSU fans (with civility) and are SHOCKED when they find out that is not the case.

You know what else is amusing?  Take an OSU fan to one of our games at the Big House and they expect the same treatment.  They are equally shocked to NOT get physically abused and screamed at.  They think all fans act like they do.

I think the difference is that at Michigan and the vast majority of the Big 10 the majority of people attending the game are either students or alumnai.  In Columbus I'll bet you less than 25% of the "fans" ever set foot in a classroom in their life unless they were there with the other janitors to clean it up at night.

If we win get out of the state as quickly as possible.

I spent 5 years there when I was young enough to still bring some resemblance of an A game to the bars in German Village, and those were some crazy good times. It truly is shooting fish in a barrel at Victory's, if you are so inclined to do some wolfing. Friday night might be your best bet to go there, before we lay a beatdown on the mood of the city.

Barring that- travel in groups, don't wear Michigan gear unless you have to, and then save it for the Stadium. If it's pretty bad, this is the one time it's ok to leave the Stadium a little early, because you're better off getting out and away from the Stadium than getting caught in the crush of people. Trying not to walk in the middle of crowds. If that means walking all the way to the outside of the Stadium lot and walking the long way around, do it. Don't bring women and children, or anyone incapable of fighting or looking intimidating. Drive slow. Don't say anything. Don't go. And good luck.

I went my senior year, the year Harbaugh guaranteed a victory and got it. I was with three or four of my female roommates, and after the game, a couple of guys starting following us. After a couple of minutes, one of them came over and started kicking my roommate. We ran back to our car and got the hell out of there. Back then, they weren't used to winning like they are now, so I would imagine a Michigan win this weekend would put most of them over the edge. 

hide in the middle of the marching band.  the clarinets don't sharpen their lyres to cut steak, and that's all i'll say about that.

I'm reposting this in this thread since I can't start my own thread and the original thread is way down the list. 

I have two extra tickets to the game this weekend.  They are in the Michigan Alumni Section.

I'm willing to give them away for free to someone who posts regularly and has over 5000 points or someone who posts regularly to the Diaries.

It's my way of saying "thank you" to all the people who post here.  And since I don't post much, it's my way of giving back.  

If you qualify, email me... first person who emails me that qualifies will get them.  Please email me right away.

I'll see you at the game.

Go Blue!

You can reach me at [email protected]

Stay clear of High Street and Lane, lots of traffic. If you must walk around Lane, prepare to get heckled. I'm not sure of your parking situation, or where you come from in Michigan, but I would go I-75 south to OH15E (around Findlay) to 23S to 270W to 315S (that 270-315 exchange is .25 miles max, pay attention and exit onto 315S). No one is going to throw a bag of piss on you, fingers crossed. Have fun.