Traveling to Columbus

Some good advice... put some OSU stuff in your car... because they see the Michigan plates and key it sometimes.

Do NOT speed on the way down.. not even 1 mph over...those clown cops will give you a ticket, not kidding.

When walking to stadium, if you are donned in Michigan gear, walk in a big group of Wolverine fans...otherwise you may get jumped.

btw, I am speaking out of experience here,  went to game twice in the early 90s.

walk in if you have a buckeye be an ass pay attention to what car he came from. After he leaves simply lean on his car and be noticed, act like it's your car. It'll work out great for that fan.

I went once - in 1992.  It's off the bucket list and I have no compulsion or desire to go back.  It wasn't t as bad as some of the others describe but the fanfare did not add to the experience.  I'm happy to watch that one on TV.

I live in Columbus. Due to the lack of competition the last couple of years it hasn't been too bad. I went to the last osu-um game here and went to the bars before the game down town. I had crap thrown at me in the bar and walking to the shoe. Obviously, people were talking shit and telling me to fuck off as well. I had one person try and fight me at the bar but he was belligerent drunk. Once you get into the stadium it's not bad at all. It could be now since they sell alcohol at the game. Long story short, if you want to pregame before, you will get a lot of crap because buckeye fans cannot handle their alcohol

I'm not being critical of the question, but it breeds this attitude of these delicate Michigan fans being too scared to travel to big bad Columbus. It's not that big of deal. I live here, am on campus quite a bit (wife works there), and always wear M gear. Nothing ever happens.

Some things to keep in mind:

1. I'd park in a lot on Olentangy River Rd. Easiest walk. If you're really nervous, throw an OSU hat in the back window, but I think it's unnecessary.

2. Go in expecting people to yell "fuck Michigan" to you and don't escalate it. 99.9% of the people are cool and just like to talk a little friendly shit. The other .001% are drunk assholes so just don't engage.

3. OSU fans relish the thought that M fans will be kept away out of fear. Fuck that. I'll be there is full gear and hope to see us take over that stadium too. I mean, I hope our fans can outbid OSU fans in the secondary market, no?

I have lived in Columbus since 2005.  I wear a Michigan M on my work badge every day and wear Michigan gear all the time.  Sure I get razzed, and that's fine.  If it's playful, I can take it and dish it out.  It's generally all in fun, but there is a small contingent of fans who don't have any perspective.  They think because someone roots for a rival, it is grounds for a fight.  For the most part, It has been my experience that those buckeye fans are cowards and usually talk shit well after I've passed.    

However, there is no way I'm going into that snake pit wearing a target on my back.  I don't have eyes in the back of my head and even though I can handle myself, I'm not going to win a 10 on 1 fight.  All those punks who would mutter something under their breath on the street now feel emboldened and will take cheap shots.  As described in other replies, don't look at the cops for any assistance.  

So, I will go, sit in the stadium, and cheer loud when we win.  Unfortunately, I won't be wearing maize and blue.  

I agree with everyone who said to Uber / rent a car.  Michigan plates are a target and you will get pulled over for the slightest infraction.  

It may not have been bad when our team was bad, but now we are a real threat.  The threat against Michigan fans is real.  

My wife loves Michigan as much as I do.  I really want to go to the game this year and would be willing to put up with all the hassle it brings (rental car, hiding UM gear, etc.).  However, she's got very thin skin and can't take an insult very well (she's an A+ shit talker when the situation warrants it, but lovely otherwise), so in the interest of not getting pummeled to death, I'll probably have to pass.

The stadium itself is a sanctuary.  Too many eyes and ears around for them to try blatant stuff.  The OSU administration is aware of their reputation and is trying to clean it up.

Outside the stadium, wear a neutral color jacket for walking around over your Michigan stuff.  When you get inside the stadium you can take it off, no issues.

Avoid drunk mob areas outside the stadium like Hineygate.  That's asking for trouble.  

Don't engage hostile behavior.  Don't be a loud mouth jerk.  I'm always amazed at the guys that say they were "attacked" and then when you find out more you realize they weren't just walking by, they were being assholes and instigating.  

Columbus on the day of The Game is not the place to give your inner asshole the benefit of the doubt.

Inside the stadium, don't be an overt DB, but you can cheer just fine.  You don't have to hide.

After the game, by the time you hit afternoon, things have been settled one way or the other.  Things calm down.  You can go to restaurants and bars on Hige Street just fine, but avoid the large drunken-mob bars at night.

 

I went to The Game back in 2014, and not one bad thing was said to me. Part of that may have been because Michigan was a national laughingtstock and not even remotely viewed as a threat. But I think people get their panties in a bundle about it more than they ought to. 

While I can't speak to what it would be like to walking around campus with Michigan stuff on, once you're in the stadium, you'll be fine. I went in with my Woodson jersey on, decked out in Michigan gear, and no one cared. Actually had some nice convos with the OSU fans around me who were hoping Michigan would be good again soon. Honestly, just don't be an asshole, and walk around with a group of trusted friends just in case you do run into the occasional douche who's had too much to drink. But you'll be fine as long as you don't start trouble. 

As far as parking, don't bother trying to find anything on-campus or any on-campus garages. Ain't gonna happen, you'll be just sitting in traffic and wasting your time. Take it from a guy who lived there for two years. What I'd recommend is parking in one of the garages on High St. Go to the garage near The Hubbard apartments. It'll be a bit of a hike to the stadium, about 40 mins, but its a nice walk. And depending on the weather, it could be really refreshing. And you're also right next to a restaurant called Melt, which makes some of  the best grilled cheese you're going to find anywhere. 

Stay at the Rennaisance Center or the Hilton downtown, nothing else is close.  Pretty sure the team stays at Renaissance.

Stay at the Rennaisance Center or the Hilton downtown, nothing else is close.  Pretty sure the team stays at Renaissance.

I've never been but I like what BigT had to say. That these are probably mostly made up stories and it's probably fine. It's like it always rains in Seattle. Seattle people love that story because they really don't want you moving there anyway. Or don't go to the Raiders game and sit in the Black Hole in a Broncos uniform unless you want to get beat up. I just went to my first Raiders game and sat in the Black Hole. Believe me it wasn't my choice. But it was the most fun section and the fans were really courteous to the few Broncos fans there.

I would still be careful about parking your car and where you go after the game. Because even though section 105 of the Raiders game was safe, people were getting mugged in the parking lot.

My first time there was 1970 when I was a M sophomore. My roommate and I hitchhiked down on Friday. That night I saw most windows on High St boarded up (at first I thought it odd that so many businesses right on campus were failing), a car with Michigan tags turned over, a drunk pull up a sreet sign and of course many violent drunks. I foolishly wore a Michigan shirt but had give it up to survive.

Before the game I managed to avoid getting hit but did get beer thrown on me. After we lost, I saw families spitting on our team. One of the players told me later that they were told to keep their helmets on until out of the stadium.

I have been many times since but learned to keep a low profile. Anything can happen and it seems to be accepted. OTOH, it is very exciting to watch a game there. You will never forget it. Just be smart and be careful.

I'll be there to personally kick your ass.