Live Like It's Rivalry Weekend (Michigan/Ohio State Football)
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By contributing writer Andy Gallagher |
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The Days Prior There is an actual tradition at my school to express our devotion to our team by jumping in a frigid, three foot deep lake sometime Thursday evening. Let me repeat that for those of you who don’t attend OSU. We actually immerse ourselves in near-zero temperature water, and we believe this will help our team win. Oh, we’re really drunk when we do this. Hundreds of years ago, the Mayans would offer human sacrifice or bloodletting to worship their gods. Boy, were they stupid. I’m proud to be an American. The businesses surrounding campus also jump in on the event. T-shirt manufacturers are in full force. There’s a whole slew of slanderous memorabilia, across the board of creativity. They range from the tame (“Muck Fichigan”) to the vulgar (“Fuck Michigan”), and all sorts of permutations in between. It’s one of those investments I’m proud to have made, and I’m sure it will stay in my family for generations. Nothing says “I’m a worthwhile father” than mowing the lawn in a shirt that wants to engage in a sexual act with an entire state.
Pre-Game 1) Drink. The only difference is, you are literally pre-gaming. The Actual Game Apparently, Columbus has a past littered with alcohol problems. (See riots of 1970, 2000, 2002, etc.) The stadium owners have taken note of this and imposed Prohibition-style rules restricting the sale of alcohol. While you slowly lose your buzz (or bum a Bud Light off that genius next to you who figured out how to sneak beer in), make sure you remember how to spell your institution. (Nearly all Ohio State cheers involve the spelling of O-H-I-O.) At the end of the game, assuming your team has won, rush the field. This is an absolutely amazing experience for about 9 seconds. The rest of the time spent on the field is attempting to prove to your friends you were actually on the field. Pretty much everyone I saw on the field was calling their friend or taking pictures with their cameras or phones. Don’t overstay your welcome, however, as there are more cops on the field than students and they have itchy, tear gas fingers. Post-Game There's some controversy here (and my opinion is a bit biased considering the longstanding tradition of rioting here at Ohio State), but there are some fascist sports fans out there who believe that a crucial victory (or loss, who cares?) in a barely-above-500 season over a rival team can be celebrated without pillaging, destruction of property, and structure fires. These people are old and stupid and don’t understand our generation. Crank up some Rage Against the Machine, bong those three beers, and maliciously rejoice that the sports team from your area won its contest. College is a time for experimentation, and there’s really no buzz that compares to throwing beer bottles in the face of those who serve and protect. At least I think. I can’t really remember. |
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14 Comments
being born n raised a buckeye I completely agree and understand... I go to UCincy now, and still cheer for OSU every weekend, people who arent from ohio don't understand...I mean come on, I did a week long tribute to OSU in my blog the week prior to the game
go bucks
I also grew up a Buckeye, and I agree that rioting is the only true way to celebrate victories and/or get your rage out due to a loss.
dont give a damn about the whole state of michigan
whole state of michigan
whole state of michigan...
don't give a damn about the whole state of michigan
'cause i'm from O-HI-O.......
yeah, i guess most of em do spell out the state for us.....
I was raised by two Buckeye alumni who told me I could go to college anywhere BUT Michagen, and still party hard on rivalry weekend (and we're talking late 40's here....) They are also going to the Alamo bowl to riot there. Crazy Buckeyes. Us Baylor Bears know nothing about rioting and tearing down goalposts....
i have to defend the mirror lake tradition... while i don't really believe it helps us win, it can't hurt right? especially during a year like this one, where the lake was fairly warm. okay not warm, but we're not talking the usual sub-zero it has been in the past. GO BUCKS!
aren't you all forgetting one important part of Gameday??? THE BEST DAMN BAND IN THE LAND!!!!
I was a U of M fan for most of my life, but then decided to go to MSU instead (yes I had the choice). It has been weird adjusting to cheering for OSU, but I really enjoyed that game this year. Awesome job. Keep dunking yourself if it works.
As for the State game with PSU, as far as I'm concerned it didn't happen. I loved watching U of M lose instead.
Last tailgate as a student...a little sad. Good thing I was drunk the whole time.
Nice column.
to be fair, even by saying the word "ohio" you've already gone more then half way there to spelling it.
WTF? Are you are you gay or what?OSU f'in rocks! you don't know because you're prolly a michigan f-g. linkin park is the greatest band ever. I hate ppl like you, you ruin it for everyone. you don't need REASONS for doing what you do, just do it.
you prolly listen to that gay music like the black keys and read your New york times, go back to your buckeye donuts you freakin hippy. oh yeah and iraqie occupation is the greatest thing ever you anti-capitalist mongral
because i go to penn state and we lose a lot, we have to depend on the tailgate and post game activites for excitement. win or, more likely, lose, we have fun either way.
funny column, as a fellow state school student, i appreciate it.
You want to see real rioting?
Try Kent State...
Oh, was that a little too taboo? My bad; I go to KSU, I can say that. Fairly decent article Andy. I've seen better from you (note- the cheering article you've also written)
My favorite part of your article? The responses. I love reading the stuff from redneck douchebags who don't get your humor at all. Makes me feel slightly more intelligent. Keep on writing Andy- Stavar couldn't be prouder.
[prouder- is that a word?]
I think you made a very valid point...Buckeye fans are the best in the land. You're lucky to be going to such a fine institution with great traditions. congrats to them on a great victory against the fake OSU on the 30th
GO BUCKS!!
Great article. Ohio State is home to TBDBITL and many other great traditions, first among them the Ohio State Michigan game. It's true...people from outside the great state can't understand.
OK, technically I was born in Indiana, but both my parents are OSU grads and I was raised a Buckeye. That has to count for something, right?
Go Bucks!
Ted Ginn Jr. For Mayor!
<b></b><i></i> :-: i give ur article a thumbs down u suck monkey balls the bucks rock u suck and so does u of m they're fricken gay (obviously like you) u r a retard haha loser
from anonomous person named king werbenshmigalfanebblenohipathonyuinhur
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