OilerBuck
Sweet Crude
Maybe this is common knowledge to others, but this thought is just starting to emerge with me.
In light of some of the NCAA investigations and dealings with other fans (Especially those from Wake, PSU, Etc.), I am starting to view our rivalry with scUM differently. I don't know if any of you have noticed, but Meatchicken fans have been coming to our defense and being generally civil and sympathetic with our situation.
All of this has made me rethink the rivalry, what it means to the players and what it SHOULD mean to us as fans. I used to think of TTUN as our sworn enemy. I have totally hated everything about them and wanted them to suffer in every form imaginable. Now, I am starting to view them as a brother to Ohio State. Before I am charged with blasphemy, consider the following:
Each of our two Universities are world-class institutions on our own, but together, THE rivalry between the schools make us part of something that cannot be equaled in all of sports. We push each other to a new level. When I play my brother in ANYTHING, my goal is to demonstrate dominance. I never play harder or cleaner than when I play him because I want there to be no doubt as to who is superior. That being said, without him pushing me, I wouldn't be where I am now. I hate losing in any form, but nothing could be worse than if he would beat me in something that I care about.
When we play a game of basketball, run a race or even wrestle...if I see him limp, hear him cough or even see him squint because the sun is in his eyes...I'll stop the match. I want him coming in at full strength, with no excuses. Likewise, I want to play TTUN at full strength as I'm sure they want to play us...No sanctions, no injuries, NO excuses.
My brother and I will pick on each other, push each other around and compete at anything to get temporary bragging rights until he is truly ready to challenge me again. This reminds me of all the smack talk that goes on between scUM and OSU in recruiting and other pregame/postgame matches...these things don't matter, but they are a temporary measuring stick until late November.
It may appear that we don't get along sometimes, but I respect the heck out of him. When he succeeds, I brag on him. When he gets in an argument, I back him. But when he lines up opposite me...I want to OWN him. Likewise, I think we, as universities should support each other against anyone else. The success of one of our schools is, in reality, the success of both of us.
Players in this game always talk about the respect they have for each other and how clean, yet intense the rivalry is. I never understood that until recently and I just wanted some of your thoughts on the analogy.
In light of some of the NCAA investigations and dealings with other fans (Especially those from Wake, PSU, Etc.), I am starting to view our rivalry with scUM differently. I don't know if any of you have noticed, but Meatchicken fans have been coming to our defense and being generally civil and sympathetic with our situation.
All of this has made me rethink the rivalry, what it means to the players and what it SHOULD mean to us as fans. I used to think of TTUN as our sworn enemy. I have totally hated everything about them and wanted them to suffer in every form imaginable. Now, I am starting to view them as a brother to Ohio State. Before I am charged with blasphemy, consider the following:
Each of our two Universities are world-class institutions on our own, but together, THE rivalry between the schools make us part of something that cannot be equaled in all of sports. We push each other to a new level. When I play my brother in ANYTHING, my goal is to demonstrate dominance. I never play harder or cleaner than when I play him because I want there to be no doubt as to who is superior. That being said, without him pushing me, I wouldn't be where I am now. I hate losing in any form, but nothing could be worse than if he would beat me in something that I care about.
When we play a game of basketball, run a race or even wrestle...if I see him limp, hear him cough or even see him squint because the sun is in his eyes...I'll stop the match. I want him coming in at full strength, with no excuses. Likewise, I want to play TTUN at full strength as I'm sure they want to play us...No sanctions, no injuries, NO excuses.
My brother and I will pick on each other, push each other around and compete at anything to get temporary bragging rights until he is truly ready to challenge me again. This reminds me of all the smack talk that goes on between scUM and OSU in recruiting and other pregame/postgame matches...these things don't matter, but they are a temporary measuring stick until late November.
It may appear that we don't get along sometimes, but I respect the heck out of him. When he succeeds, I brag on him. When he gets in an argument, I back him. But when he lines up opposite me...I want to OWN him. Likewise, I think we, as universities should support each other against anyone else. The success of one of our schools is, in reality, the success of both of us.
Players in this game always talk about the respect they have for each other and how clean, yet intense the rivalry is. I never understood that until recently and I just wanted some of your thoughts on the analogy.