The team is usually accused, after a loss, of looking forward to an opponent. Well, I am looking forward to the November 19 game against Penn State. I realize the contest in West Lafayette is on most folks minds but this is something that needs to be talked over.
As an Alumni, the PSU game is my single game ticket for the year and I always center it around my annual Hajj to the 'Bus. When I discovered that my tickets were to the PSU game, I was happy that it was against an opponent that normally gave us a good game and not one of the "pre season games" (not knowing how the season would play out).
So, I began thinking, I am sitting there in the Shoe, tOSU is already on the field, and the time comes for PSU to come out of the tunnel. I remember when we played Navy and the word on the scarlet and gray street was to cheer their arrival (since there were Navy service members serving in the field), rather than the usual boos we usually reserve, with vigor, for TSUN. I attended the game and the crowd really did itself proud by cheering their arrival; and then they damn near beat us, but that wasn't as a result of the boos. So, back to PSU. Do we:
1) Boo - never did like that. Yea I get into it for TSUN, but heck, it's Meeshigan. Booing college age kids for unpaid athletic performance is tacky. With PSU, what would we be booing for, the team of football players or....? How could you tell?
2) Cheering - Again, what would we be cheering for, the team of football players or....? How could you tell?
3) Polite clapping - Again, what would we be clapping for, the team of football players or....? How could you tell?
4) Dead Silence - that would be pretty awkward.
Ladies and Gents, I am at a loss here. We are going to have to relate to these folks, in the words of Joe Pa, "both on and OFF the field". That is why I titled this screed "The Shoe or the Glass House". Looks like no one needs to throw stones but, we need to figure out how we can come together and all relate to one another the weekend of the 19th of November.
I hope that this can serve as a source of discussion.
I personally won't boo, but will be very okay with others booing the so called "Linebacker U"...
I'm pretty sure the boos will be loud that day, plus their fans suck so it's okay for the booing.
Awkward silence gets my vote.
vacuuming sucks
I went to the OSU at PSU game in 2007 (Boeckman's BEST GAME EVER) and saw Penn State male fan punch a female OSU fan in the back of the head...I had to run in my drunken stupor to find a cop but it was too late as the dirt bag got away...between that and their fans throwing urine on our band, I don't know if I can ever respect their fans or their football program.....I would boo when they come out with those boos directed at the conference rival FOOTBALL TEAM, not the university that is going through a tough time...
I think it would be best for both sides if we just treat it like any other Ohio State vs. Penn State game. I don't see a reason for us to act differently; this (PSU problem) is beyond anything football, and we'll be there for football.
Soooo, the status quo and we just don't think too much?
Jim "DooDah" Day
It is hard to play dirty against a man who picks you up.
It would be cool to unify fans to just be silent. Maybe as a sign of respect for the victims? Not sure that would EVER happen. I just hope we aren't still wearing pink. I did pink, and own pink, but don't want to wear it to this OSU game.
Silence is golden.