How rampant is car vandalism truly in Columbus?
Heading down to Columbus for the game on Saturday to see our boys kick some ass and bring the win home. I've heard all the horror stories of keyed cars, slashed tires, broken windows, etc. Is it really that bad still? Should I rent a car with an Ohio plate? I have a U-M plate so I'm a bit worried.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:35 PM ^
When Michigan wins, I'd imagine there will be some serious chaos in Columbus.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:41 PM ^
OSU fans don't seem very confident with this team. I'd say around half don't think they will win.
Don't be a dick and you won't have any problems. Start rubbing it in, or gloat, and I'm sure you will find trouble.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:46 PM ^
To OP's question, though, if his/her car is parked somewhere near campus, and OSU loses the game, thousands of drunk assholes will walk past it, see the license plate, and will be tempted. And then probably delete their text messages about it.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:03 PM ^
If it were me, I'd get myself a rental car if I had Michigan plates.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^
This man has the right idea
November 21st, 2018 at 9:17 AM ^
Yeah right. I’m not sure what stadium or town your speaking of but it sure isn’t Columbus. In 06 they won and still terrorized every Michigan fan in site as well as myself, wife and even worse my 8 yr old son. I’m from ohio so no issues there, but having half full beers, cans or cups thrown at you, when you didn’t say a dam word to anyone is rediculous. I watched a buckeye fan tressels first year cold cock a guy for no reason other than wearing a Michigan jersey. That place is the equivalent of a prison riot no matter what their record is.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:54 PM ^
My understanding is that OSU fans are much more subdued when Michigan wins. Losing tends to put a damper on things. It's when OSU wins that they go nuts.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
I live in Ohio. Only been to one UM-OSU game. 2004 when OSU was shit and Henne and Hart were Frosh and Troy Smith went crazy. (History says dont be overconfident). That game sucked and the OSU fans were insufferable. That’s my only Columbus Stadium experience vs. UM.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:49 PM ^
One of my older brothers was a U of M alum living in Columbus during the 90s.
He was at the massive upset of 1996 and said that it was like walking out of a funeral when he left the Shoe that afternoon.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:39 PM ^
Hide yo kids. Hide yo wife.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:19 PM ^
He's climbin' in yo windows
He's snatchin' yo people up
November 20th, 2018 at 6:40 PM ^
Hit or miss. I've been yelled at randomly because I had a Michigan plate, but never had my car messed with. One of my friends went to MSU but had nothing on his car other than a license plate from Michigan. His car got keyed up in a hotel parking lot in Columbus and they carved a big "O" on his hood. This wasn't even during football season.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:41 PM ^
Columbus MGoResident here...
I would say that, if you're truly concerned about it, best to not take the chance. I would recommend using the COTA park and ride if you are OK with a bit of a bus ride. There is a station on the north end (check the Crosswoods link on the page linked above) of the city that's pretty good (and the parking is F-R-E-E free), and they offer express service on game days. You might want to get there pretty early; that's the biggest caveat.
While I can't guarantee anything one way or the other, it's always best not to park a car with a UofM license plate on OSU campus during game week.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have other logistical questions about Columbus; happy to help.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:05 PM ^
First off, I'm really sorry you have to live in their town. Utter tragedy.
Thank you! Very helpful indeed. Go Blue!!
November 21st, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^
Columbus as a city is actually very nice; I've lived here since 1999.
Day to day, 80% of OSU fans are fine. It's the 20% of cooler poopers that you have to watch out for.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:23 PM ^
First time going to c-bus for The Game (and first ever mgoblog post!) We will be renting a car and requesting non Michigan plates. Do you have any other suggestions where to park and walk to the stadium? or possibly set up a grill and tailgate for an hour or so? We will be leaving early in the morning for a 3 hour drive. Also other the high st. are there any areas to definitely stay away from?
Thank for any help!
November 20th, 2018 at 8:32 PM ^
Front page of Mgoblog has some good details on where to park and what areas to stay away from.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:46 PM ^
I had a window smashed in about a half mile from campus. I had Michigan plates. Nothing was stolen despite the fact that there were a few things that could’ve been taken, leading me to believe it was certainly just mindless vandalism.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:49 PM ^
Have you ever seen a car burn...It's a pretty impressive sight
November 20th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
We are playing OSU not MSU. Cars and couches should be safe.
November 21st, 2018 at 2:33 AM ^
Rafi!
What? You said take care of the car.
So you lit it on fire?
Thats what take care of it means
November 20th, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^
It’s just an urban legend. Can’t believe everything you hear. On another note, check this out...I was at an expensive wedding reception. Everything was going great. The groom stood up and said nice things about the bridal party and his new in-laws...then he asked everyone to check under their chair. Lo and behold...
November 20th, 2018 at 6:53 PM ^
Hide your meat!
November 20th, 2018 at 6:58 PM ^
I would think there is no shame in a temporary car OSU logo somewhere to allow you to leave the city without slashed tires and the state without a dumb speeding ticket
Think of it like going undercover in prison, you got to do what you got to do. Get a little bear with an OSU sweater at the split M/OSU store in Toledo on your way down for the rear window. Then piss on it and set it on fire when you get home
November 20th, 2018 at 7:53 PM ^
This was my plan back in 2002. Earlier in the season, I bought a tOSU license plate frame. While we had beer bottles thrown at us and one jackalope pulled the Ohio version of "feats of strength by attempting to pull the M jersey off one of my friends, the vehicle was fine while Columbus was burning around us.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:32 PM ^
This is what I'd plan to do if/when I go to a game there. Fly under the radar - the best approach if you're concerned about it.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:59 PM ^
my six month old Cadillac was keyed.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:00 PM ^
It’s just an urban legend. Can’t believe everything you hear. On another note, check this out...I was at an expensive wedding reception. Everything was going great. The groom stood up and said nice things about the bridal party and his new in-laws...then he asked everyone to check under their chair. Lo and behold...
November 20th, 2018 at 7:00 PM ^
Take your own car, but be sure to vandalize two of theirs while you're there. You'll feel better if you get tagged.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:40 PM ^
Eyes for an eye, I like it.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:07 PM ^
1. take a giant "M" decal and 2 of those flags with you
2. find a car w/ohio plates next to yours, apply decal and flags
3. ???
4. fuck ohio
November 20th, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
Rent the car. Why take the chance?
November 20th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
Last time I went I took my plate off
November 20th, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^
and didn’t have any problem
November 20th, 2018 at 8:35 PM ^
Cool, they probably thought it was J.T. Barrett's car, with no plates.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:29 PM ^
Never parked on campus for the game, but I live in Columbus and have U of M alumni plateholders (have for several years) and never have had an incident. I think the fear of OSU fans is very much overblown.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:34 PM ^
I have no comment on car vandalism, but I do fly my block M flag in Ohio, and I've only had two instances in the past 18 years of living at my current address where my property was damaged. My mailbox was bashed in twice -- once in 2003, and once in 2011.
Hmm. What's the connection there?
November 20th, 2018 at 7:36 PM ^
I wouldn’t worry about your car. But for sure, don’t leave your cooler unattended unless you want a nasty surprise...
November 20th, 2018 at 7:44 PM ^
I think it depends a lot on what you drive. Probably best to select your vehicle from among the types that the locals use around drunken OSU fans.
November 21st, 2018 at 9:33 AM ^
Just the site of that armored car and the regularly employed police if full riot gear should tell a fan all they need to know. I was at OSU, on campus for a party the weekend that Sharty upset the then number 1 buckeyes. I can still feel the burning in the eyes and taste the tear gas.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:49 PM ^
Just heard a story today, a coworker said his car with MI plates got egged just parked on a side street during a game at that shithole.
Hard to not lose faith in humanity listening to these stories. They are unlikely to get even anything resembling poor treatment if they attend a game in Ann Arbor. People suck (some of them).
November 20th, 2018 at 7:49 PM ^
Columbus resident and OSU mba grad. Either park in the crosswoods park n ride, or park off of ackerman .. tons of police around that lot. 99% wont do something, none will with the police cameras on the lift in that lot. The lot is also the primary tailgate location.
23 south to 315 south, make a left on ackerman and the lot is the first on your right. Parking 20-30 bucks.
November 20th, 2018 at 7:52 PM ^
Just back in to a spot . Try to get as close to the vehicle behind you as you can so they cant see your plate .
November 20th, 2018 at 8:43 PM ^
Going down to the cesspool for Thankgiving. Misplaced family now live there. Then need to leave for a Sat night class union. I will cause serious problems if someone touches my company car.
On a side note, I have a pile of block M stickers to discreetly paste around town.
Go Blue! Beat the worst fans in America bar none. Low class people.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:47 PM ^
I’ve been to about 10 games at osu (I also live in Columbus). It’s way worse when they win and you need to park in the right spots.
I actually wear a black hoodie leaving my car and take it off and throw it away with my Michigan gear underneath.
All it takes is one drunk douche rocket. It’s not as bad as people say though I just like to be extra cautious.
For the record only time my car was vandelized was when osu played BGSU in I think ‘03 and I had my BG sticker on my car. Rookie mistake and didn’t think it would be a big deal being a Mac school.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
It is fine! Park in the neighborhood west of Northstar Blvd and south of Lane Ave. That’s where I live (Berkshire Road) and its a nice safe neighborhood just a peaceful 1.5 mile walk to stadium.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
Can someone find the OSU game day tailgate with the girls pissing down the parking ramp
November 20th, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^
A friend of mine started her teaching career at OSU, because one has to start someplace. Her car had a Michigan alumni sticker on it and was vandalized her first week there. The campus police told her she deserved it because of the sticker.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:17 PM ^
I'm in NY so we rented a car at the Columbus airport and ended up parking along fraternity row in '06. Got a lot of grief walking to/from the car in our gear but I've been called worse in the Bronx.
My father went back in the 70's but swapped license plates with a friend from PA before hitting the road.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:16 PM ^
I've gotten too old for this kind of stuff.