For those who understand Big Ten rivalry, which I only started to understand four years ago, this is pretty funny:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Giant killer Appalachian State has won a following in Buckeyes country, where some Ohio State fans are gleeful over the humiliation suffered by archrival Michigan.
The then-No. 5 Wolverines 34-32 loss to the lower-division Mountaineers Saturday has sparked demand for Appalachian State gear among Ohio State diehards.
Hours after the defeat, at least one street vendor was doing brisk business selling freshly minted Mountaineers T-shirts near the Ohio State campus. Local stores say they’ve been swamped with requests for similar gear.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone’s asked, I could retire,” said manager Greg Pierson at Sports Fan Attic.
I’m sure there’s some Chinese proverb that would urge restraint among the Buckeye faithful. After all, as unlikely as it might seem, Saturday’s game against Akron could be as much of a disaster as the App. State-Michigan game. And then there’s that whole thing about how it’s not nice to gloat about the misfortunes of your enemies.
Nonetheless, I doubt Columbus is the only Big Ten city where this is happening.
But here’s the antidote.
Three years ago, on September 11, 2004, I attended my second Ohio State game.
This time, they were playing the Thundering Herd of Marshall University, a Division I-AA mid-major team from a small school, in what seemed like it would’ve been an easy game. Even the Marshall fans, whose enthusiasm I did not quite understand until I saw the movie We Are Marshall
But then the game started, and it was a hell of alot closer than any Buckeye fan would’ve liked. Until, quite honestly, the final seconds of the game when Ohio State’s Mike Nugent kicked a last minute field goal to win the game.
And Ohio Stadium went, as you might imagine, insane. I think I might have a picture somewhere, but the memories are even more potent.
Along with watching Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run, that field goal ranks as one of the best sports moments I’ve witnessed in person.
But, the lesson is this. Any team who has an off day is only a point or two away from losing a game that could destroy their entire season.
And, don’t forget the fact that Michgan’s loss to App. State has no impact on the Big 10 Championship, which seems to be up for grabs between Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin this year.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:11 am
I don’t think Marshall is a I-AA program, so while it would have been a big upset, it’s not nearly as big an upset as losing to App State.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
You are correct, they are, I would guess considered a “mid-major” team. I’ve corrected the post.
Thanks for catching that
September 7th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Doug,
Marshall was a 1-AA team at the time, and they’d won multiple national titles in that division. Sound familiar? In short, they were EXACTLY like App. State. and your point was well taken. You need to go back and re-correct your post. You were absolutely right.
As for the rest of these Big Ten towns that are enjoying Michigan’s suffering right now, have fun with it while you can, losers. You’re on the schedule.