The Smackdown at the 'Shoe [The Final Chapter]

Ok...I decided to string this out to a Trilogy.

I had some issues trying to upload this video in the previous post. I will give it a shot here. Here is The Best Damn Band In The Land taking the field and performing SCRIPT OHIO:

It was a classy jesture but it was disheartening hearing our band play "Hail to the Victor."

The Smackdown at the 'Shoe [Part Deux]

Just like every movie seems to be required to have a sequel (whether the story warrants it or not,) I will post a follow-up to the original post from yesterday.

The end of the previous post had us arriving at the 'Shoe awaiting TBDBITL. That is where we will pick up the story...

After waiting a bit, a glance towards St. John's Arena revealed that the band had started to make its way over. Here is a clip of them passing by:

Ok - we got to see the band enter the stadium. Now it's time to head towards our side of the stadium and up to our seats. We made our way through the ticket line and climbed the many steps up to "C" Deck. We finally located where we will be sitting for the next three hours. Here is what our view looked like:

Before we got to see TBDBITL perform the beloved Script Ohio, the University of Michigan marching band took the field. Those dorks couldn't even get that right:

The only thing I can figure is that they wanted to show our side of the stadium a "W" as some indication of how the game was going to play out (obviously this past portion is laced with sarcasm.)

Enough of this nonsense already...time for a REAL band to take the field. Please see next blog post to see the band taking the field and...SCRIPT OHIO:

Here are some pictures of the stands before the game started(The 4th largest crowd ever at the 'Shoe - 105,000+ people strong:

I enjoyed this picture from the South stands:

Here were some of the Seniors waiting for their names to be called on Senior's Day:

So you ask - How did the game go? The scoreboard says it all:

The 35 point loss marked one of the the largest margins of defeat in this rivalry. This year's dimantling of Michigan happened during the 40th Anniversary of OSU's slamming of Michigan 50-14.

It was pretty sweet at the end of the game to take part in the "5 in a row" chant. Neither team has ever accomplished that feat in this rivalry before.

We were definitely pretty cold by the time the game clock hit all 0's. Each second half touchdown by the Buckeyes helped warm us a bit though.

As for my closing remarks, if you are a Buckeye fan you need to do whatever it takes to experience at least one Ohio State vs. Michigan game in-person. You won't regret it!

The Smackdown at the 'Shoe [Part 1]

It has been a little while since I have made any blog entries. The events over the past day or so warrant me to get typing!

The start of the OSU - Michigan weekend kicked off for me yesterday. Every year, THE Ohio State University Alumni band visits OCLC (where Julie and I work) the Friday before the game and plays for about half an hour or so. It is a great way to get pumped up for the game.

This year was going to be a little different though. We were going TO the game and not just watching it at one of the local watering holes. Julie had a chance to go to one prior OSU - Michigan game back in 1994. That was one of the games Cooper actually WON against that "Team from up north." This was my first chance to see this storied rivalry in-person.

Saturday morning started with a little tailgate action with some people we know. Here is a picture of the setup they construct for every Buckeye home game. It is really roughing it. There are a couple flat screen TVs in the tents. There are also some propane heaters providing some heat to the hearty souls that have trekked out this chilly November morning. The normal tailgate food is abundant as well.


As game time approached, it was time to make our way over to the stadium. Our walk over took us past Lane Avenue. Thousands of fellow Buckeye fans could be seen making their way over as well (along with the occasional blaggard dressed in Maize and Blue!)


As we got closer to the 'Shoe, we realized TBDBITL hadn't made its way over from the skull session yet. We decided to hang around and wait for them. The following video shows what the environment was like:

More details of the day to appear very soon....