I think I'll stick to my lucky hat... (Photo: Across The Field Movie)As kickoff inches closer, we're left with less and less time to prepare for the various gameday rituals that we somehow believe have an impact on what happens during each down, game and season. Myself and my usual gameday crew are probably far less obsessive and superstitious as you so I'm interested in what you do, and how far you take it, to ensure the Buckeyes have a successful 2009 campaign.
Personally, age has had a tremendous impact on making me more realistic about how my actions, or in-actions, might determine a football game but I can't say the same for my bretheren. Back in the day I'd wear the same hat until a defeat forced me to throw it away. I also went through a closet full of Buckeye shirts following the same mantra. With the economy in the toilet, I now stick to wearing basic Buckeye gear for non-big-games and then either a Jack Tatum or Spielman jersey for games receiving more hype. Channeling my inner Spielman has had it's highs and lows the last couple years so I'm thinking Tatum is going to get the call September 12th.
When it comes to game time, me and my gamewatching crew have observed the same two rituals for as long as I can remember. First, we have a framed 16x20 of Wayne Woodrow Hayes that is passed around for everyone to rub for good luck. Then, Woody takes his rightful viewing spot propped against the coffee table so he has front row seats for that Saturday's clash. Depending on how the game progresses, Woody might get rubbed so many times that, well, he probably springs a Woody.
Secondly, though we hate to have to enforce it, we shuffle seat assignments after halftime, or sometimes during drives, to try and spark an offensive rally or a key defensive stop. There are no hard and fast rules to this one, though. It's all based on feel. I guess our feel has been off the last couple years.
I know. It's a pretty timid list. Like I said, age has gotten the best of me. That and the fact I'm scribbling notes the entire game in prep for Five Things. So, what do you do? I know some of you madmen must have some freakish rituals just based on your comments alone. What do you do to help OSU win games on a weekly basis?
Comments
Alright, he we go:
In 2002, #8 Jersey, Basketball t-shirt underneath, black shorts, black socks, black Reebok, Buckeye necklace, and my state quarter. I didn't wash anything but the socks, cooked out everygame and risked Captain's Mast because I changed during the Penn State game when we where down. My outfit reeked and I washed it right after the Fiesta Bowl.
I would wear the same t-shirt until we lossed. Then start a new winning streak with a new t-shirt. I also got rid of my buckeye necklaces after our losses to FL and LSU. And by got rid of I mean shattering them against my kitchen wall. My wife wasn't too happy with that last part. A little drywall mud and feet rubbing and all is well again.
durrrrr...lossed = lost
As much as I avoid McDonald's anymore I still can't get away from the game day breakfast ritual I have had since my days at tOSU. Sausage mcmuffin meal, extra hash brown, cherry coke. Refill cherry coke upon leaving the restaurant and prompty dump half a flask in to the cup. The last part is/was only done when I'm on high street.
Tatum Jersey, backwards all white Buckeye baseball cap, down to the OSU alum bar (I'm in exile), get shit bombed, scream at TV, yell threatening things at the PSU fans (top floor is PSU alum bar).
that bar sounds like a street fight waiting to happen
I don't have a ritual but my mother-in-law always buys me various OSU stuff and she bought me this glass globe to put over a candle that had the OSU logo and when the candle was lit it would glow. Anyway, the first time I used it was the Florida game. The last time I used it was the Florida game. I'm hoping the OSU garden gnome my wife bought me will bring better luck.
Another ritual that went away...we used to display an OSU blanket over the door. The Gray side for away games & the Scarlet side for home games. I still have the blanket, but the ritual went away after Tbone & I were the last ones to move away from Godown.
Another one-game ritual that's worth mentioning...we convinced Tbone that we all did a shot of tequila for luck prior to a Michigan game. He rolled out of bed at 11:58 AM, so he didn't realize that was false. And he paid for it.
We have Woody Hayes stacker dolls that we use to mark Buckeye scores. For instance, after the first TD, he comes off the mantle down to the TV. After the 2nd score, we open it up and take out the next Woody (that's what she said) and place it to the right...and so on and so-forth. It comes with a removable black block-O cap that we continually move down the line to mark field goals. For Christmas, we got an Archie Griffin stacker doll set...so it'll be great when Pryor scores more TDs.
Of course, I have 2 jerseys, one for home and one for away. We also make sure we grill out chicken wings, and douse them with BW3 sauce that we order online. We only drink Coors Light, because the cans are scarlet and gray.
I, too, have become less superstitious about rituals as I get older. I used to not drink at all during/before games because I thought it was bad luck, which is just silly considering how many millions of gallons of beer our fans consume. But my uncle got me this very strange homemade Buckeye hat shaped like a rooster (you wouldn't believe it unless you saw it) right before the LSU game...so I consider that thing bad luck, and it stays in my closet.
Redbull, meet Vodka.
I also get to the sportsbar early to prep the alumns on all things happening during the offseason/past week. They dont do their homework.......
subtract the vodka and add jaeger and i'm there with ya. If I'm drinking vodka all I need is club soda
I just got my number 28 dropped off by fedex. Eastbay had it for $100. The real jerseys are badass I must say. Very light weight great for street fights and its not hard to find people that want to talk shit on Ohio State down here.
The reason I purchased a new jersey was my Troy Smith Jersey was thrown in the trash by my ex. Hopefully she tossed the big game bad luck out with it.
FL, LSU, USC & that crapper against Ohio U I just needed the bottle......
you like the authentic? i think they look funny when not over pads. I go with the ones between crappy screen print numbers and the authentic. My eddie george legends jersey is my go to jersey for game days.
How DARE she?! Something's are straight sacred!
Word.
I hope that doesn't happen again this season.
I drank a bottle of patron silver with some friends on the way to the Coliseum last year, kinda of softened the blow... but not really. Just made me punchy...
I take a picture with my son opening Saturday with us both in our Buckeye gear. He's was born in July of '08 so this year will be only the second time we've done it. It is something I plan on doing every year for as long as I can.
My gameday ritual involves waking up with a tight chest and sweaty palms. Also, I do have a scarlet LiC authentic. The authentics are GORGEOUS.
No shit. Turns out it was my fault but whatever. Who's going to the USC game?
I go to the Fox and Hound Bar and Grill in Woodbridge NJ. It is the official NJ Buckeyes Alumni hang out for game watches. I drink straight Diet Coke during the game. I won't to be sober win or lose and then choose my alcohol based on the outcome of the game. Win? One Ketel One martini straight up with olives. Lose? three Ketel One martini's straight up with olives.
After reading these, I'm realizing we are all somewhat disturbed, and yet I still thank God I'm a Buckeye and not just some nut.
Any Buckeyes in Chicago plan on hitting this up for the USC game?
http://www.bar1email.com/index...
The bouncers form a wall between Buckeyes and PSU fans, preventing them from interacting.
On a related note, the most annoying cheer in the world is the thing that PSU kids do with the drumbeat, this fat kid there always turns over an empty beer pitcher and does the beat and they do their obnoxious cheer.
However, I did play flip cup with them after the Purdue game last year. I got pretty wasted, and I'm not very good at flip cup, but I drank on their dime, so jokes on them.
My place is (relatively) close to the stadium so the crew usually meets up here. I toss on my Bobby Carpenter jersey (closest thing I have to a hometown player), everyone else grabs their gear, fills up the seat flask and 10-20 mini-bottles with the good Cap'n, and then Captain Morgan's Crusaders head out for the 'Shoe. Always leave the house early so we get there before ramp. No sitting except for TV time-outs. Order some Catfish Biffs on the way home.
God, is it Saturday yet?
I wore a Teddy Ginn Jersey until the Texas game. Its going in the closet until we win a big game. Now its an away semi-authentic Pryor jersey. Oh, and I generally murder a 12 pack or so. More so after a loss. And I agree with Matt, thank God Im a Buckeye!
Godown is a good area. Lived there all through college - hearthstone apts.. I can't believe they replaced fridays with a walgreens.
I almost got in a fight with a PSU fan on the walk from the shoe back to my apartment in 2006 for turning their chant in to "WE ARE......... GOING HOME! WE ARE....... LOADING THE BUSES!" He took offense....
Max and Erma's is still there though right?
Amen brother!
I am. Flying outta LAX next Thursday so I can Have a solid 3-day weekend in Columbus.
One of the guys I watch the games with was offering this little kid that had a PSU "Nittany Lion" hat on a straight hundo and the kid wouldn't give it up. We were going to pee on it I think....LOL funny thing is the kids dad was all about it!
I used to live across the street from a PSU spot. The day of the 2007 game where Todd looked Joe Montanta I had a car load of Ninny Lions fans park in front of my house, notice the buckeye flag and ask my girlfriend "Are we ok to park here?". Her response "I won't do anything to your car, but I can't make any promises for my boyfriend."
Needless to say we won and I wasn't home in time to flip their car as I was out celebrating with Jaeger, God's gift to humanity.
I actually go to school deep within SEC country at UGA (scholarships) but my love for the bucks has never wavered; my dorm mates realized this when o continued my home tradition of wearing an osu flag as a cape around my neck, all buckeye clothes, and an osu hat that I flip backwards and forwards depending on the tide of the game. During big games i feel like I must do push ups for each point scored. I sure hope that my arms are tired on 9/12...
I think that is awesome. My son will be born at some point during this season (certainly before scUM) and I may have to steal that one from you.
I think M&E is still there. So is Kahoots, I believe.
Kahoots, haven't been there in years. "Girls Girls Girls!"
Have some "cocktail waitress" spill my beer on me and then try to charge me for it last time i was there.
I truly hope you cant pick yourself up off that ground ever again!
Me too, feel the buuuuuuurn!
I know ESECPN hasn't released their coverage map yet, but is the game DEFINITELY being show nationally on ESECPN? Unfortunately, I'm going to be in DC this weekend.
i believe it is, it's being shown where I am, I checked my local schedule on espn.com
My son was born in April 2008. Last year, on opening Saturday, my wife decided she wanted him and I to pose for our first football day together. So this Saturday will be our second opening game photo together, too.
Ritual before every game:
#1. Put OSU flag out on Thursday. (All week during Michigan Week)
#2. Put 10' inflatable Brutus up Friday night. (Leave up all weekend)
#3. My kids and I wear our Buckeye jersey's to school. We live in the south so we take a lot of crap. (Kids get money if they come home with blood on their jerseys for standing up for the Bucks).
These are all hilarious. Keep 'em coming fellas. We've got just a few more days to kill.
I don't really have a ritual other than watching football all day starting with college game day at 10:00 and going until the last west coast game is played. And I usually start drinking beer at kickoff of the first game, whoever that may be. Depending on how my bets are going, I may feel the need to do some last minute cramming to get a few more picks and parlays in. Sunday I wake up and make bad fantasy football decisions, which may or may not affect my mood depending on if the Bucks won or not. So, it's more of a routine-that I'm sure my wife could live without.
I don't watch much college gameday anymore.
one it's on too f-ing early(7am) and two i cant stand to see desmond howard on tv.
The Buckeyes are on ESPN college football classic - 2003 NCG.
1. My OSU flag flies 24/7 all year long.
2. I wear an OSU t-shirt with an OSU scrub top every friday to work.
3. Game day.... I wear my #7 (Greene, Galloway, Germaine, Ginn, Gamble-- G Jersey) at game time.... if things are going badly I switch to my Ohio State button up baseball Jersey #1.
4. I scream at Tressel from West Palm Beach Florida and I KNOW he hears me.
I like to watch the games - that's my ritual. I used to drink a lot before them, and then after but then I graduated and have mostly given that up.
I just got my Bucks tattoo this summer so I'll probably kiss it or something for good luck.
Also I smack my wife on the hiney for good luck.
So nobody noticed the Fiesta Bowl is on???
it was mentioned a few posts above yours
Ooops. I see it.
Go to Rhino Bar on M Street and 33rd, in Georgetown; Ohio State Alum bar. Get there early, as it will get packed about 2 hours before kick-off. Great food and reasonable beer prices.
New jersey every year (last year was Beanie, this year - haven't decided), 3 Vodka & OJ's before game, pre game CAO cigar. If at the game - never see kick off.
If not at the game, Coach Tressel & Brutus Bobble Heads at the bar watching the game. A shot at each touchdown!
Beer and a victory cigar after the game!!!
Damn, I still get goosebumps!!!!
so i'm watching the 2006 fiesta bowl vs ND and the announcers keep talking about OSU's speed, and how JT keeps piling on the points because he knows ND is capable of coming back. WTF happened between that season and the next?!
recorded or on a channel?
What happened? We got slow?
downloaded, that's pretty much what i've been doing these last couple weeks until the season starts, haha
I think the difference was simply losing Ginn. Watching this game makes me believe he could have been the difference all by himself
I need to get me a new buckeye necklace. I lost mine before the Florida game and haven't bothered to get a new set, and I'm beginning to think the two events might be correlated...
I think the greatest moment of my life was the monday after winning the NC (other than the night of the actual game of course). I've lived in PSU country for the past 12 years and the month leading up to the game I had to listen to them talk shit and say OSU had no chance. The silver lining was that I convinced most of them to put their money where their mouth was and I made over $400 on bets. I even made $25 off my math teacher.
I just can't wait until the Michigan game. I started grad school at Appalachian State last year and one of the first things I did was go out and buy a jersey. I can't help but smile every time I wear it.
Note: one of the deciding factors for me selecting here for grad school was their win against that team from up north.
As always i will be at mcgees.
My ritual consist of waking up at 7 am during playing my marching band CD, Putting on my ohio state argyle socks, cris carter jersey and heading to Mcgees. Buying my red 32oz mug fill it with miller lite and on the first kickoff of the season do a shot of patron. At halftime i consume 2 o-bombs and then continue the get blasted and cab it home.
After OSU lost to NW in 2004, I heaved my Buckeye necklace against the wall and broke the necklace. From now on, my new thing is wearing the white jersey only for road games and the scarlet jersey for home games.
As a student I always bought a new buckeye necklace for the first game of each season, which got cumbersome at 5.
Has anyone gone to the Alumni Association game-watch in Sacramento? I just moved to NorCal and I'm hoping to find a good environment with some good Bucks to watch the game with.
What is the best option for replacing my necklace? I made mine in 2001 but I am in ACC country now.
Oh, we always played Thunderdrunk while rounding up the house and tailgating (AC/DC's Thunderstruck, stand in a circle, each time he says thunderstruck the next person drinks until he says it again). Simple, yet so wonderful.
We also had trouble getting to our seats by kickoff, though would stand the whole game aside from halftime. Had to pack 2 flasks, one with Captain's for all the moochers and one with some Gin so nobody would try to steal it.
I found some Buckeye tree's here just east of Napa Valley and they grow big here, about as big as baseball's is common.
I think you can order necklaces on buckeyecorner.com. But they aren't as good as the ones you can buy on game day near the shoe. If you make it to a game this year look for a really old guy that walks around Lane Ave. He sells the necklaces with the wood beads in between the buckeyes. Those are the best, imo.
What? Send a picture. Big as a baseball buckeyes. No way.
Thanks. I will check it out.
There is a solid crew of 3-4 Buckeyes (to protect the innocent, names are Hawk, Zulu, and Elephant) who are spread out between southern Ohio and Kentucky. We always get together for the season opener and as many big games as possible. We are all decked out and our latest buckeye gear, and as was stated before, for the big games I bust out the Spielman #36. Typically the rituals go down like this…
Zulu (who works at a certain Kentucky bourbon distillery) typically concocts a morning cocktail for the brotherhood. So far, the favorite has been “Kentucky swamp water”, a delectable mix of bourbon, bourbon, smidge of lime juice, bourbon, thimble of OJ, and a splash of bourbon. It comes out looking like pond scum, and tasting like Thor’s hammer. That typically goes down by 10am. Buzz starts at about 10:03.
The next two hours are spent killing the Swamp Water, eating South Beach Diet lean cuisines (chicken dip, bbq chicken, sausage balls, Mrs. Renisons doughnuts, etc.), watching Gameday and trying to create new cusswords and insults for Mark May, then being oddly hypnotized by Herbie’s sparkling eyes and wonderful prose (whoa did I just type that?).
Kickoff, by now we’ve switched from Swamp Water to the fuel that burns our desire, Miller Lite (the 1st of 6 30 packs have been opened). By now words have slowly morphed into caveman style grunts and screams. Last year the brotherhood would launch into a frenzy whenever lil animal’s dad got some TV love (this was typically followed by mimicking pro wrestling moves from our childhood that claimed a coffee table and 2 end tables as causalities throughout the season). Elephant’s heart would always go aflutter when Ray Smalls was in the game (trust me it will be the same this year) hoping that after 2-3 years this game would be the breakout game, only to be let down and then ridiculed by Zulu and Hawk.
The game ends, the room is has an odd blue glow after 180 crushed Miller Lite cans are discarded all over the place. We all high five, someone usually pukes, but the night isn’t officially over unless Hawk (who has never been a Jiu Jitsu gym) challenges Elephant (a 2 X Iraqi War vet and MMA enthusiast) to a submission grappling match. It’s like watching a wildebeest and a silverback gorilla fight at a county fair. The match ends when Hawk’s limb is near dislocation, the two then crush a Miller Lite, then yell “GO BUCKS!”.
Thank God the season is upon us!
Both M&E and Kahoots are still there. More important though, DiMarco's is still going strong!
i may have to go to mcgee's for all the games, my mom wouldn't let me bring my tv here when i moved out cuz it was "too big" lol
In 2002, although I now live in Florida (ugh, I know) I came back to C-bus for the Championship game. I wore my hair in pig-tails that night. Since that time, I wear pig-tails every game--despite the fact that I am a 36 year old mother of a teenager.
When we played UFyou, my boyfriend bought me a #10 jersery with the offical Fiesta Bowl Patch. I took it off at half-time and did not wear it again--ever*. I also took out my pig-tails thinking it might change our luck-we see how that worked out.
The following season when we were playing Wisconsin close, I was wearing a visor--something new I had not done before. When we fell behind, I took it off and then we started winning. The visor no longer exists.
Last season, I wore the same tOSU shirt for the entire season. however I changed it out a few times during the USC game to no avail. I also have these great socks and believe it or not, I have noticed some momentum shifts after I remove one here, put one back on there....
During the Fiesta Bowl with Texas,* I did pull out the #10 and it seemed to be redeeming itself quite nicely. My boyfriend was so excited because he paid so much money for it and all it did was collect dust in the back of my closet. One missed tackle later, poor Dennis saw his investment go up in flames.
So this season its back to the piggy's, socks and a brand new shirt--and here's to hoping there is not need to stoke another fire.
Oh, and is it just me and my girly ways, or do any of you have problems watching the games live? I am so emotionally invested that I normally throw up each and every game--especially last season for some strange reason. I have even gone as far as leaving the room during the final minutes of a close game, plugging my ears and singing 'row, row, row your boat' until its over. Do I need professional help or what?
I too am in the DC area. I'm on TDY and will be heading out to Iraq soon. Unfortunately I'll be in the air for the USC game. Thanks for the info on the Alumni bar, I was going to do some research and find one. Now I don't have to! Oh and
O - H!
Game day starts with the hoisting of my OSU flag. It is a must; rain or shine or snow. I sing Carmen Ohio as it is raised. The flag stays up all day. One time I was out of town on game day and I called home and made sure my daughter put the flag up. (By the way, she's a senior at Ohio State now.) I wear my Buckeye gear. Top choice is my National Championship shirt, but anything scarlet and grey will do. (It's getting a little bit old and worse for wear, so it's time for another National Championship. Let's go Bucks!)
I also wear my buckeye necklace and Ohio State hat.
If I watch the game at home, I'll start with College Game Day as a warm up. I play my TBDBITL CD during the commercial breaks to get pumped up. Nice and LOUD 'cause the neighbor across the street is a fan of TSUN. (The Tressel years are a lot easier than the Cooper years in our neighborhood.) During the game I get loud. If things aren't going well for the Bucks I change things up to switch the momentum. I move to different chairs...different rooms...different TVs--anything to get the Bucks moving again. Whatever "works" I stay in that mode.
Just writing this post is getting me pumped up for Saturday. I can't wait. Let's go Bucks. Beat Navy!
I-O!!!!
As a current student, I must point out my rituals have changed (most notably the atmosphere around the stadium instead of just seeing it on tv). Every game prior to the Florida game I wore my favorite buckeye t shirt and recently been wearing my scarlet number seven jersey but after not much luck might have to rock my "new" 1997 rose bowl champs shirt that summarizes 90's style!
Go Bucks!
i used to wear my lucky #13 mo jersey for big games..... after LSU, USC, and PSU i figured out it was my fault we were losing... my bad dudes
I may feel the need to do some last minute cramming to get a few more picks and parlays in. Sunday I wake up and make bad fantasy football decisions, which may or may not affect my mood depending on if the Bucks won or not. So, it’s more of a routine-that I’m sure my wife could live without.