Advice for surviving in Columbus

Submitted by blackstarwolverine on
This will be my first OSU-Michiga game; my buddy, who attends pharmacy school at OSU, got me tickets. Unfortunately,they arein the OSU student section. What precautions should I take? I'll be wearing my Michigan hoody, but I'm trying to avoid physical confrontations.

Mi Sooner

November 29th, 2014 at 8:36 AM ^

consider Toledo only marginally a part of Ohio.  If they could give it back to Meechigan, they would.

 

I grew up in ohio; i did not set foot into that god forsaken city until i was nearly 50 (yes, i am old; get off my lawn you dam kids!), because work forced me to.

Wolverine4545

November 29th, 2014 at 7:41 AM ^

My advice as someone who goes to the medical school in Columbus and has been to four Michigan games at tOSU is simple. Just don't be a dick. Most fans are reasonable, but there are a select few aholes. Just don't egg them on and you'll be fine.

UMSwoosh

November 29th, 2014 at 7:42 AM ^

Generally it won't go beyond verbal banter. Most live, eat, breathe, and drop out of school to hate Michigan fans. Don't hesitate to  point out that they wouldn't have a reason to exist without Michigan fans. 

LSAClassOf2000

November 29th, 2014 at 7:43 AM ^

From what I can remember, the student section at the Shoe is actully pretty reasonable overall when it comes to behavior - you really wouldn't have to worry about your physical safety over there. You'll probably be the object of some pointedly anti-Michigan jabs, of course, but I've sat near there twice for The Game and can't recall anything too disorderly. 

bluebyyou

November 29th, 2014 at 8:50 AM ^

It is not the students or alums from OSU that are typically the problem.  It is the dumb asshats who lack an education that don't appreciate that the rivalry and The Game, as singular as it is, needs to be placed in perspective.

I have spent considerable time in SE Ohio doing legal work and have many friends who are OSU grads.  You have to endure the obligatory ball busting, which goes both ways of course, but then I have never had an issue.  As for the townies, that is quite another matter.

Wearing a Michigan hoodie in the student section is NOT flying under the radar.

SC Wolverine

November 29th, 2014 at 8:04 AM ^

What has happened to the state of the OSU student body?  And when did they become civilized?  When I went to the 1980 game, my only time in Columbus, our lives were in constant jeapardy.  After the sack that won the game for us, we got out of the stadium and out of the state as fast as we could.  They were like the Capital One barbarian horde!  

Former_DC_Buck

November 29th, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^

First, the universrsity administration finally got embarrassed by fan behavior when Texas came up here.  They had a campaign and slogan to make your eyes roll out of your head about having the Best Damn Fans In The Land.  Gee and Tressel did radio PSA's about it.  I don't hear them anymore, but my nephew just started at OSU this fall and said they cover it a bit during orientation.  

Second, you went right after the 10 year war.  Some of the other folks went during the cooper years.  Folks now are going during the Pity Years(?) I should probably get that trademarked.  

The students don't, for the most part, hate Michigan, because on the field what is there to hate?  My nephew is pretty passionate about it, but his Dad, Mom Aunt and Uncles all are survivors of the Cooper Era.  The first Michigan game he might remember was 98.  There were a couple early loses in his early childhood, but most of his experience is OSU post-Cooper so it was mostly losing to Michigan in a down year for Ohio State.  When his Dad and I were talking to him about The Game at Thanksgiving he thought we were crazy for being concerned.  You would have thought last year would have helped, but he shrugged it off as it being at Michigan and just a fluke.

So to answer the original poster's question as well, go with the advice given.  And watch out for anyone over 30.  Those folks still have scars from John Cooper.   

You Only Live Twice

November 29th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^

I don't have as much faith as you that there is this overall culture change at tOSU.  Buck fans are spoiling for a fight walking into OUR stadium - to the point of listening to conversations they are not part of and interjecting.  Saw this last year both before the game and afterwards. The posters here are correct, best thing to do is not react, or not react too much.  If the Scarlet and Gray fans are milder this year it's because we are 20-pt. underdogs.

Former_DC_Buck

November 29th, 2014 at 4:28 PM ^

Better, by no means are we angels.  There is a long way to go, and I am disappointed they stopped it.  I still think we have a ways to go.  I want an intimidating atmosphere IN the sstadium direct at the field, not other fans.  I like to talk a bit of smack to Michigan folks I know, I don't do it here.  For example, I'll tell my buddy John we had a comfortaable 21 point lead today until we let you get a score in garbage time.  Of course it isn't quite true, which is why it is funny.  He'll know I'm kidding, but here I have to diagram the jbut, which takes the fun out of it.  So I'll still make jokes here, it is in my nature, but I try hard to not troll.  The point of that story is that's what I'd like to see after a game, not threats, not screaming, not damage to property or person.  

Former_DC_Buck

November 29th, 2014 at 4:28 PM ^

Better, by no means are we angels.  There is a long way to go, and I am disappointed they stopped it.  I still think we have a ways to go.  I want an intimidating atmosphere IN the sstadium direct at the field, not other fans.  I like to talk a bit of smack to Michigan folks I know, I don't do it here.  For example, I'll tell my buddy John we had a comfortaable 21 point lead today until we let you get a score in garbage time.  Of course it isn't quite true, which is why it is funny.  He'll know I'm kidding, but here I have to diagram the jbut, which takes the fun out of it.  So I'll still make jokes here, it is in my nature, but I try hard to not troll.  The point of that story is that's what I'd like to see after a game, not threats, not screaming, not damage to property or person.  

Sllepy81

November 29th, 2014 at 8:08 AM ^

expect at least to be spit on. Just dont stoop to their level. Sometimes you get lucky in cbus but just expect the worst. Luckily they might feel slightly bad for you this year and leave you alone. maybe wear ear plugs walking around.

doughboy

November 29th, 2014 at 8:17 AM ^

I've had both good and bad experiences with the students during the game.  It seems that there will always be a couple of jerks who are looking for fights.  So don't be an obnoxious Michigan fan (which it doesn't sound like you will be) and you should be fine.  Most of the students are pretty chill so when a couple of their own start to heckle an opposing fan who is pretty mellow the students start jumping on the hecklers.

Enjoy the game and Go Blue!

blueball97

November 29th, 2014 at 8:20 AM ^

Its a lot easier today than in years past, the hatred has become mockery as we have been the door step to Big Ten titles and conference championship games. You will be safe in Columbus, High Street is a good time. Just don't say dumb shit.




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Wolverine In Exile

November 29th, 2014 at 8:20 AM ^

Be prepared for some mild hooliganism directed your way. You may get a beverage poured on you. You will get taunted unmercifully. But as long as you don't get into a yelling match things should be nonviolent. After the game make like biakabutuka and run like hell from your buddy's place to change clothes out of Michigan stuff. Expect your car to get trashed with cups, a couple keys, and God willing, no poop.

it's Science

November 29th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^

It's not that bad. I've been the last several years. It's kind of sad really, they just feel bad for us. The only way you'll run into trouble is if you react poorly to one of their bone headed comments. It's not like you're going into Damascus with an wearing an American flag.

OxfordBlue24

November 29th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^

From friends I've talked to who go to Ohio State currently, they said there isn't as much hate this year for today as normal. I think only 10,000 students went to Mirror Lake jump (which based off the way he said it, I assumed was less than normal). I think OSU fans even want Michigan to start being sort of decent again. This might be the best year for you to go Columbus and come out unscathed, besides a few verbal assaults.



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