The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
In search of: A new college football team
PUBLISHED: October 2, 2008
After watching Michigan the first two weeks of the season, I decided to make a change. I couldn't exactly throw the college football season away after two Saturdays. And I couldn't stand watching my Wolverines get knocked around each week like, well, like Spartans.
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So, as difficult as it was, I needed to find another team. Since Ypsilanti and East Lansing were out of the question, I decided my fate would be decided by a computer chip. So I clicked on Map Quest and typed in "college football winner" in the destination box.
The first response was Ann Arbor. Wow. They don't update these very often. I guess I can forget about the latest construction updates on my next trip.
So I returned to the main menu and typed in "college football winner 2008."
And the response was almost unbearable. Could I do such a thing? What a horrific thought - becoming an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Yikes!
I typed in the destination again. And again. And again.
Columbus. Columbus. Columbus.
Yikes. Yikes. Yikes.
Then I thought, why not? Let's go see what all the fuss is about. I figured, at least it's not that far and we pass a Hardees on the way. Still. Ohio State? The Buckeyes? Columbus, Ohio?
The Wolverines were on a bye week, so I thought this was the perfect time to check up on the competition. And if I were to jump ship, I might as well jump on one headed in the right direction.
So it was off to Columbus, Ohio.
It was a bright, warm and sunny day as the Troy University football team took the field in the "horseshoe" that really isn't a horseshoe. And who knew Troy even had a football team. I thought all they had was Somerset Mall and Big Beaver Road. Turns out they have a university and a football team.
Should be an easy game for the mighty Buckeyes.
The highlight early on was when the marching band took the field. I was so excited to see the crossing of the T that I forgot there wasn't a T in Ohio. Or in Buckeyes. But since they call this place the horseshoe and it really isn't a horseshoe, I figured they just did what they wanted to.
The band entrance was awesome. And the dotting of the I was even more exciting to see in person. I had never seen anything like it. It sent shivers up my spine colder than the McFlurry I was eating in the press box.
McFlurry? Yes, I will get to that later.
The entire stadium, all dressed in red or white, on their feet clapping. It was like they had done this before. They first spelled out T-R-O-Y. And I thought, that's not even close to O-H-I-O. Must have been a few too many beers last night for the young musicians.
Wait. Troy. Their opponent. Now isn't that nice. Let's spell out their name on the field before we try to break every bone in their body on the field. Sort of like a salute before the firing squad.
The band finally got around to spelling O-S-U. And the crowd roars - just for spelling O-S-U? I guess the bar isn't exactly raised to the top here in Ohio. But I have to admit, it was a nice moment.
Speaking of nice moments, free McFlurrys in the press box. I didn't really care what happened the rest of the day. OSU had a new big fan and he was getting bigger by the minute. I was knocking down those McFlurrys faster than OSU cheerleaders were falling off pyramids.
Before kickoff the fans celebrated by singing the school's fight song. While it was a touching tribute, you'd think they wouldn't need to put the words on the scoreboard. I mean how hard is it to remember, "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family, with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won't you say you love me too?"
Standing in the end zone was some kind of giant squirrel. I saw a few blow-up versions of this squirrel on the way in as the tailgaters were getting all liquored up. What the heck is it?
I grab my OSU program and discover the squirrel is none other than "Brutus Buckeye," a symbol of Ohio State athletics for more than 40 years. The school attempted a "new Brutus" in 1975, but it was booed off the field. I guess it's true. A squirrel is man's best friend, at least in Ohio.
OK. I need to admit something. I did get a little choked up with emotion when the band was playing, the fans were standing and the place was rocking. But could you blame me? This is one of the cathedrals of college sports.
I couldn't help but think of all the history and the great games that have been played in this stadium. There was Michigan's 26-24 win in 1986 and the 34-31 victory in 1988 and the "threepeat" win in 1990. Who could forget the 13-9 win in 1996 or the 38-26 triumph in 2000? Yes. So much great history.
Troy lost the coin flip, the best chance the Trojans had of winning anything all game. Moments later came the big roar as the Buckeyes scored their first touchdown. I could only imagine how loud it gets here when the opponent isn't from a nearby high school.
The giant squirrel is celebrating in the end zone. Oh, wait. That's a cheerleader.
With Troy facing a big third down, a giant bell goes off. Judging by the look of some of the people in the press box, I assume it's the dinner bell. But the main course turns out to be the Troy offense.
The stadium is now spelling O-H-I-O as each section gets a letter. It only proves my point about this not being a horseshoe. I guess back in the day when it really was a horseshoe, they spelled O-S-U. But now with the fourth side they have to give the newcomers something to do.
If you ask me, they ruined this stadium by building on to it. You would never see Michigan do that. The Big House has been unchanged since it was built 250 years ago.
Across the way is a billboard tribute to the great Woody Hayes. It says Woody Hayes, 13 Big Ten titles and 5 national championships. Must not have had room for 1 opposing player punched.
During another time out is the famous OSU bobble-head race on the big scoreboard. The race pitted the cheerleader, the bass drummer and, of course, Brutus. You could hear a pin drop in the former horseshoe as the three contestants made their way through campus. Brutus came out the winner. I guess every blind squirrel finds a nut now and again.
Here we go again. O-H-I-O. Don't they ever get bored with that?
Troy plays OSU pretty tough for three quarters, but the Buckeyes are too big, too strong and too good for the team that's really from Alabama. But they aren't going to be my team this year. I think Michigan can still take them. Once you bleed blue, you always bleed blue.
One more thing to ponder about Ohio. So this is one of the "swing" states that could decide the presidential election? The country's future could be left up to the folks from Ohio? Let's just hope they don't forget how to dot the I.
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