If you've already read all of 11W's outstanding articles on Ohio State's eighth national championship in football, but are still too hopped-up to be productive at work, skim through last night's live game thread on Roll Bama Roll.   

At the beginning of the thread, all the butthurt Bama fans were saying, "quack, quack," fervently rooting for Oregon to spoil the dreams of people whom they associate with the Union Army, General Grant, General Sherman, etc. 

But, strangely, as the thread progressed along with the game, it was almost like Ohio State's punishing brand of football began to win over the Bama fans on the thread. They still hated Ohio State, but couldn't help but respect and admire their prowess and toughness. Bama fans tend to be serious, passionate fans of the game, so maybe they can't help but get seduced by greatness on the gridiron.

The thread also made me reflect back on the back-to-back national championship game losses in Jan. 2007 and Jan. 2008. It might seem backwards, but some people have almost a sadistic subconscious that makes them hate someone who is getting beaten on - they despise weakness - and be drawn to the guy who is doing the beating, even if that guy is supposed to be their enemy. That factor by no means explains the booming cottage industry in Ohio State Hate over the last eight years or so, but it probably stoked the fires.