A Little Football Game in Columbus

Did you know there’s this little college football game in Columbus this weekend? OK, maybe if you’re from Canada or the UK, you might not know. But I think most of the US is aware of the famous OSU-Michigan rivalry, and this year it is even more heated due to the #1 and #2 rankings of the teams.

Oh yes, I know there’s a game this weekend. After all, I live in Columbus. And should I not know, there are plenty of signs in this city to clue me in:

– Beer is running in short supply at grocery and convenience stores. Same goes for meat and cheese party trays, mixed nuts, chips and dip.

– The radio stations are running nothing but songs about the big game. Although I have to admit, Saving Jane did a new cover of Hang On Sloopy, and it rocks.

– At my organic chemistry lab today, it was hard to miss that everyone in the class was dressed in either scarlet or grey. Thank goodness I wore a plain grey sweatshirt today, or I really would have felt out of place.

– Down the street, one house has got a jump on setting up the Christmas lights, only for now they have used the lights to spell out “Go Bucks” on the roof.

– Tailgating started late last night if you are a student. If you’re not a student, or didn’t take the day off work, the festivities began shortly after 5pm today.

– My stepfather, a crazed sports fan, had trouble sleeping last night, and will likely not sleep at all tonight before going to the game tomorrow. (To be fair, he has an anxiety disorder, and exciting events like this really set him off.)

– While walking through the grocery tonight, I witnessed many shoppers wearing football jerseys, several with their faces painted, and one girl with bright red streaks painted in her hair.

– Also while at the grocery, I witnessed a woman wearing a Michigan pullover be booed by a group of other shoppers.

– There are currently more OSU flags flying on flagpoles and on cars than there are American flags.

– Apparently there is no other news to report other than the game. Even those who were standing in line for days, waiting for a Playstation 3, don’t matter to reporters. Yesterday on the news, a reporter was out at a Best Buy talking to the people in line. Her question to the gamer geeks: Were they going to watch the big game?

So yeah, it’s hard to miss the fact that the OSU-Michigan football game is tomorrow. Those who live in Columbus know the rules of the day: unless you have tickets to the game, or want to be a part of the action, avoid the campus area and High Street at all costs. Also avoid 315 and 71 just before and after the game. If you are going near campus, and value your car, don’t park it on High Street or any street with a frat house.

And whether OSU wins or loses (and we do hope for a win), you can be certain that mayhem will break out. Oh yes, dumpsters and hapless couches will burn in the streets.

For those of you watching the game from a different city, enjoy the game! As for me, we’re dropping Cordy off at my aunt’s football party, and then Aaron and I are catching a movie with friends, knowing the theatre will be empty during the game. We can watch the game on Tivo later in the evening, safe in our house while the campus area goes crazy.

Go Bucks!