Let’s be real—few teams in college football inspire as much love and absolute disdain as THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Whether it’s their smug dominance, their insufferable fanbase, or just the fact that they keep winning (ugh), there’s a long list of reasons why the rest of the country rolls its eyes every time someone proudly emphasizes “THE.”
If you’re a fan of Michigan, you probably don’t need this list. But if you’re looking for some validation, here are 10 reasons why people just can’t stand Ohio State.
1. The Whole “THE” Thing
We get it. You went to THE Ohio State University. Congrats. But do you really need to hammer it into every conversation like it’s a sacred title? No other school does this. No one’s out here saying THE Alabama or THE Georgia. It’s pretentious, unnecessary, and makes every NFL Sunday an exercise in cringe when your alumni say it during player introductions.
2. The Fans Think They Invented Football
Try having a normal college football discussion with an Ohio State fan. You can’t. Everything comes back to them. Talk about a great running back? “Yeah, but have you seen Archie Griffin?” Discussing the best game of the season? “Well, actually, Ohio State-Michigan is the greatest rivalry of all time.” They act like football didn’t exist before Columbus, and it’s exhausting.
3. They Dominate the Big Ten
Ohio State fans love to flex their conference dominance, but let’s be real—who’s stopping them? Indiana? Rutgers? Iowa’s offense? Sure, Michigan has re-entered the conversation lately, but for years, Ohio State has had a free ride through the Big Ten while the SEC and other conferences actually battle it out.
4. The Michigan Obsession
Yes, “The Game” is a big deal, but Ohio State fans spend more time talking about Michigan than Michigan fans do. Even when they lose (which has been happening more often lately), they can’t stop thinking about them. It’s like an ex they can’t get over. We get it, your entire identity is tied to hating Michigan—maybe touch some grass?
5. They Think They Deserve a Playoff Spot Every Year
Every season, Ohio State fans assume they belong in the College Football Playoff, even if they’ve lost a key game or struggled against mid-tier Big Ten teams. “But we only lost to Michigan by 20 this time! We should totally get in over a one-loss SEC team!” The entitlement is unmatched.
6. The Band Is More Famous Than Some Teams
We can all admit “Script Ohio” is cool. But the way Ohio State fans talk about their marching band, you’d think they were a five-star recruit running a 4.3 40-yard dash. Other schools have great bands, too! We just don’t make it our entire personality.
7. Referee Favoritism? Oh, It’s Real
How many controversial calls have gone Ohio State’s way over the years? Too many to count. Whether it’s a phantom pass interference, a “generous” spot, or an inexplicable targeting review, Big Ten refs always seem to have their backs. Just ask Penn State, Michigan, or literally anyone outside Columbus.
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8. They Think Beating Notre Dame Was Some Huge Achievement
Congrats, you beat a Notre Dame team that hasn’t won a major bowl game since flip phones were a thing. Ohio State fans will flex a win over the Irish like they just toppled Alabama in its prime. News flash: Notre Dame hasn’t been elite in decades.
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9. The Whole Urban Meyer Situation
We’re just gonna pretend none of that happened, huh? The Buckeye faithful sure have selective memory when it comes to their legendary coach’s off-the-field issues. Meanwhile, they’ll hold grudges against other teams for minor infractions like someone selling their own jersey.
Read More: The Greatest Games in Notre Dame Football History
10. They’re Actually Good (Which is Infuriating)
At the end of the day, one of the biggest reasons people hate Ohio State is because… well, they win. A lot. They recruit at an elite level, send stars to the NFL every year, and are always in the national title conversation. Hating them is fun, but deep down, everyone wishes their team had that level of success.
Read More: The Most Legendary Games in Ohio State Football History
