So I wore a Michigan hoodie last night to a company outing
This week my firm held a sales meeting in Nashville and last week we all went to the Predators hockey game, and I wore a white Michigan hoodie. Before the game we had dinner at a restaurant not far from the arena where I was seated at a table with two OSU grads and season ticket holders and after a couple of beers the conversation turned predictably to our current situation with the B1G.
OSU fan #1 thinks the entire situation is borderline hilarious. He thinks we were turned in by an insider and whole thing is much ado about nothing BUT he’s loving that we’re going through it. Thinks Day probably got everyone spun up and doesn’t think much, if anything, will ultimately come of it. Thinks Harbaugh’s suspension will get lifted on appeal on Friday.
OSU fan #2 is quite different to say the least as he honestly thinks this is the worst scandal to hit college football in his lifetime. Believes Michigan will get all wins for the past three years vacated, believes Harbaugh will get a 10-year show cause, thinks CJ Stroud not winning the Heisman last year was because of us “cheating”, doesn’t believe OSU has ever stolen signs legally or otherwise, doesn’t think signs change unless cheaters like Michigan force teams to do so, says there’s “tons of proof” that Harbaugh himself authorized the vast network and that Michigan paid for the game tickets and travel expenses, thinks Friday the suspension will not only be upheld but that the B1G and the NCAA will ban Michigan from the B1G Championship game and post-season play THIS year. I’m not making this up, any push back from me on any of his thoughts was met by him turning to another co-worker where he’d explain basically why Michigan fans are delusional for not understanding just how bad this is and will ultimately be.
The game itself was also interesting. I got four or five random “Go Blue’s” with a fist bump from people just walking by me. I also got multiple drive-by’s saying “cheaters” and pointing at my sweatshirt. One guy who was laughing stopped to talk to me, he was a Tennessee Volunteer’s fan, who acknowledged that everyone did it but like OSU fan #1, thought it was beyond funny that we were in the media & NCAA crosshairs for enforcement. Said we had one hell of a team too.
For the record, I’m 64 and have been wearing Michigan gear out and about for about 50 years or more and this is the most interaction I’ve gotten from strangers seeing the block M in my lifetime. Regardless of the outcome Friday, and ultimately from the NCAA, I believe our current situation has fundamentally changed the way Michigan is viewed by the average fan. Give the devil his due, whoever paid the private investigator to leak information detrimental to the Michigan football team, coach Harbaugh and our brand in general did one hell of a job.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
You know, it's astonishing to me to watch OSU fans behave just like I remember myself behaving back in the early 2000s. As a 90s kid I simply couldn't wrap my head around the idea that OSU could beat us fairly. I used excuses like that Tressel was a cheater, they only won because of players like Clarett who shouldn't have been eligible, etc. not to mention that the wins were merely a blip on the radar in an otherwise uneven rivalry in which Michigan was clearly the better team by a mile. I don't know if I grew out of that or if I simply learned from watching souch football over the years, but clearly some people are just committed to making excuses no matter what happens. And OSU fans STILL talk trash on Twitter about how they've dominated for 20 years while pretending like the last two never happened.
November 15th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
The best response to any Buckeye talking trash is to say "You know, Michigan fans were always told we live in the past, but now that OSU has lost back-to-back games all I hear about from them is the past..."
November 15th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
He displayed that level of stupidity in front of colleagues -- did he get fired? Or at least demoted? You can't trust someone like that with decisions or information or even a parking space.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^
but they knew about going back to 2021....so......if they're wasting practice time on it....isn't that....Ryan....Day's........fault?
November 15th, 2023 at 3:13 PM ^
But but he doesn’t realize they changed signs last year? Oh. Yeah. That’s why they lost. They think of everything. Lol.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:01 PM ^
The NCAA stated there is minimal advantage, if any, to be gained by advanced scouting. People don't seem to grasp that these teams see each other every year. You can see all of their signs for the last 3-5 years. If you don't change your signs or have the ability to change your signs at halftime then it highly likely that every team has your signs.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
They keep hoping that Ryan Day is the equivalent of Urban Meyer as a college FB coach...and can't even contemplate the thought that he is not.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
Weirdly, it insulates them against this too. They are already like "I bet they are still cheating in a bunch of other ways" so it's ok to lose this year too. Which is good, cause they're gonna get smoked.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
It will also likely help them rationalize keeping Ryan Day 😆 LUVV IT 😌
November 15th, 2023 at 1:43 PM ^
While it all seems obvious that this is a witch hunt to us Michigan fans who have been following the "scandal" religiously, the average OSU fan cannot read and therefore relies on ESPN talking heads to get their info.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^
I get the trolling that you see on social media from OSU and MSU fans. I don't get it when it's clear they really believe that crap.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
sounds like politics, alas
November 15th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
Good point - the majority of OSU fan #2's still believe Mike Lindell...
November 15th, 2023 at 1:47 PM ^
regarding OSU fans that are #2 (pun intended)
20 years ago my family with young kids were in Munich at the Haufbrau house. (No beer for the children). a classic old fashion German Beer Garden
it was crowded. in comes an OSU couple with their young daughter. Mom and dad were proudly wearing their OSU garb. We had room on out bench so I offered space. When they were told we were M fans and alum - he said - we can't talk to you and literally turned their backs on us.
I know many of the type 1 OSU fans but the #2 fans really stink.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
Man, what a shame that these people have so lost sight of sportsmanship and good will toward others that they let something as relatively unimportant as a sports rivalry make them set such a horrible example for their kids The rivalry with OSU was spirited but civil pre-Woody. After that is when it turned ugly for too many people like this OSU hater couple.
November 15th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Right on the money. I run into Buckeyes around here once in awhile at restaurants or stores, and we'll rib each other, compliment each other on the season and move on. I've never had a negative interaction. They, and I, get that this is just fun. It's odd to me that anyone would take it that seriously.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
The Hofbrau house is fantastic. Just went there last month. Hope you got the schnitzel.
November 15th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
When you look at the shape of their stadium, it makes a lot of sense why there's a whole lot of #2 in it.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:48 PM ^
My wife played golf at a D3 school in Ohio and made frenemies with her AD. He’s a talented shit-talker and she was the only Michiganian in a sea of buckeye sycophants, so he would NEVER miss the chance to throw in a little dig at her if ever Michigan lost a game, or made the news for anything not so great, and this relationship has continued ever since.
He has been completely silent on all of this. Nary a PEEP out of the man. Like we were talking about it the other day and my wife says, “you don’t think he’s dead, do you? He hasn’t said a word!”
November 15th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
My son played D3 baseball at a school in Ohio, near Columbus. The good news: there were a couple of other kids on the team from Michigan whose families were Michigan fans. That whole area is Ohio State country. Bad news: as you can see from my avatar photo, the primary team color was red, a color I really try to avoid.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:49 PM ^
I'm not surprised you might have gotten more than normal random interactions in Nashville than many other places. I think a lot of Tennessee fans are still convinced that Stallions helped South Carolina beat them last year and knock them out of the playoff picture. And that Hendon Hooker hurting his knee was also because "SCAR had their signs"
After all that was the only game they used wristbands!!!!!!!
November 15th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
Not to mention that a toddler Stalions kept Manning from winning his RIGHTFUL Heisman...
November 15th, 2023 at 1:50 PM ^
If one doesn't know the facts, it is easy to go with the narrative that Michigan cheated and they should get severely punished. Most fans don't do the heavy lifting that many of us on this Blog have done with respect to Scalions' folly.
I have wondered since the beginning of SignGate why Michigan didn't respond to what was being leaked by the media even with the NCAA starting an investigation. It would seem unconscionable to require an institution or an individual to have to remain silent when a 3rd party, not the NCAA, is making accusations that diminish the value of the brand. I'm not sure what type of punishment the NCAA could hand out but it might be worthy of a court challenge if they were to do so,
The NCAA has leaked information about Michigan to the media and his given info to the NCAA but the University has to remain silent? Really? If Michigan discloses information at the TRO hearing relevant to the investigation, is that also a breach of regulations?
I'd like to hear some other opinions about this.
My apologies if this is a bit off topic, but there are only so many threads we can tolerate.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:50 PM ^
Who does #2 work for?
November 15th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
That's right, buddy, you show that turd who's boss.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
Is fan #2 also a Jan 6 defendent?
November 15th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
dont make it political
November 15th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
I read the whole thing but if you said Buckeye #2 was an ignorant 11W fanboy, I would have got the gist of that paragraph. I don't believe this lasts all that long in the memory of fans. Ask some rando why Tressel was fired, many will say, Who? Others will stumble to remember.
Beat OSU and ignore the ignorant.
November 15th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Sounds like you had dinner with Paul Finebaum & Heather Dinich
November 15th, 2023 at 2:05 PM ^
Why haven't the screen shots and information provided by "anonymous big ten staffer" of OSU and Rutger giving Purdue our signs been made public? I get the keeping the anonymity of the staffer.. fine... but this was huge news a week or so ago and I haven't heard boo about it since. What gives?
November 15th, 2023 at 2:05 PM ^
Vacated.
You'll hear that word a lot by the haters after we get to win # 1,000 this Saturday against Maryland.
The only thing that is going to be vacated are the bowels of our opponents after we kick the shit out of them.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
I think if down the road, there's any indication the NCAA is thinking about vacated wins with Michigan, the school and their lawyer legions need to threaten them with litigation until the end of time. Threaten to go full scorched-earth on them until they drop it.
November 15th, 2023 at 5:19 PM ^
They can vacate their bowels when Michigan wins the Big 10 Championship.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:08 PM ^
It's still wild to me how different people's opinions on this scandal are. This whole thing has really exposed a lot of people's lack of football literacy, media literacy, and reading comprehension skills
November 15th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
Well said!
November 15th, 2023 at 2:08 PM ^
I live north of San Antonio, and am in my 60’s as well. I’ve wore my Michigan swag all season to PT for 2 knee replacements and everywhere else.
my experience has bee the same as previous seasons. Most people find it amusing. I run into a lot of OSU fans and they are mostly sedate about it.
Note, this is the most polite, kind region I have ever lived in. So not a lot of shade.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
Questions-
Were there knives on the table?
If yes
How many eyeballs does OSU fan #2 have left?
November 15th, 2023 at 2:11 PM ^
I encountered some OSU troll on a UM Facebook group who had no clue about the reports about OSU and Rutgers giving the UM play cards to Purdue last year before the B1G Championship game. I sent him a link to an article in the Columbus Dispatch about it (figuring that, if he actually can read, he might trust it). I didn't get a response. #osububble
November 15th, 2023 at 11:00 PM ^
Ah so you proved he can’t actually read. Seems truthful and obvious.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
No point in even conversing with the likes of OSU fan #2. Delusional and they make zero sense, yet they believe everything they read on Xitter and believe everything that come out of their own mouths.
Bunch of dummies and no point giving them the time or day.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:16 PM ^
If you are interested in interaction you should wear the block M in the Oval.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
These are the type of people who hang on every word of Mike Valenti and Kirk Barton. If you don't know, Barton is a former Buckeye with a podcast. He has been slinging crap for weeks now. Interestingly, I found this about Mr. Barton:
"A former Ohio State football standout is no longer allowed to cover the team as credentialed media. Kirk Barton, a former first-team All-Big Ten offensive tackle who played for the Buckeyes from 2003-07, reportedly revealing team secrets, such as formations, schemes and personnel changes, while working for the website Buckeye Scoop. The news was first reported Wednesday by the website Meet at Midfield, which acquired relevant documents via a Freedom of Information Act request." - October 19, 2022
November 15th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
This is the difference between people who seek out legitimate sources even if it means waiting until they can gather the facts and those who listen only to the sources who tell them what they want to hear.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
"OSU fan #1 thinks the entire situation is borderline hilarious. He thinks we were turned in by an insider and whole thing is much ado about nothing BUT he’s loving that we’re going through it."
Props to OSU fan #1. This is exactly how I expect and accept a rival fan to think and behave. I'll be honest, I thought Hitler going up on Sparty's scoreboard was hilarious. I wasn't at all offended because I knew there was a 100% chance it was an honest mistake, but I still enjoyed seeing MSU squirm a bit. That's a dirty secret of fandom. You just have to be ready for blowback when it's your program that's stepped in it. But the campaign to destroy the our program over what to all appearance is a minor kerfuffle is something different. That the Big Ten and much of the media have amplified it the way they have shows something else (probably hatred of Harbaugh and Michigan, in general) is afoot.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
I bet OSU fan #2 also thinks Donald Trump win the 2020 election.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
#2 is an idiot.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
Kirk Barton is now pushing a possible Michigan gambling scandal. So many gullible people.
November 15th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
If I had known you were in town, I’d have bought you a beer
November 15th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
Society today, has become adversarial. People have been programmed to take a side and dig in to defend their side, even in the face of truth. There are some that are still able to think critically and converse respectably, but these numbers are dwindling, sadly.
Go Blue!
November 15th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
I wore mine out and about in Chicago last weekend. The literal first person I came into contact with screamed "Harbaugh is innocent!" (I think sarcastically?) as he walked by. I got a few other comments but most people didn't care. It actually felt like it was becoming old news, already TBH.