NIU fans talking big

[Zipsrifle]

Why do I hate OSU? Well, that's a good question, and I'll try to answer it by not "attacking" anyone.

To start off with, OSU fans are very rude and aggressive. Now I know that not EVERYONE is rude and aggressive, but as a rule of thumb, they are. For example, after the Zips vs. OU game last year, I was going to crash at my sisters house in Columbus. She mentioned that we might head out and take in a little of Columbus, but I'd better take off the Blue and Yellow fleese I was wearing. I assured her that a complete stranger would not come up to me and start talking smack and try to pick a fight just because I happened to be wearing Blue and Yellow. She assured me that, indeed, she has seen it happen many times.

Now I live and work near Ann Arbor, there are quite a few OSU fans here, and nobody gives them crap (except for the last week of the season). In fact, after the 2003 Michigan, OSU game in the Big House, some OSU fans I know went to a restaurant. After their meal was finished, they were informed that their meal was paid for by a Michigan fan. Having lived in Ohio and Michigan, I can honestly say Michigan fans are much more cordial than OSU fans.

The second reason I don't like OSU fans, is because of how they affect the Zips. Honestly, my hatred for the Buttguys has grown tremendously since I became an avid Zips fan. I get so PISSED when I walk into BW3 on the Zip Strip before an Akron game, with my Akron Jersey and am amid a crowd of OSU fans. If I ask them if they are going to the UA game, a common response is "I'm Watching REAL College football Man". NO, it's because it's easier to watch a team that wins 90% of the time and claim they are "Your Team".... so you can say "Your Team" is playing for a National Championship....so you can feel like a "Winner".

The media covers OSU for these people, the pseudo "Hard Core" college football fan. When I first moved to Michigan, I had season tickets to the Big House. Why have I dropped those for a 4 hour drive to sit in an empty Rubber Bowl? Because I got sick and tired of hearing Michigan fans, like OSU fans, complain when they only won by 10 points, or how the coach should be fired because he lost 2 games. How REDICULOUS! Akron fans are HARD CORE! Those 8,000 people who I sat with in the rain at the Ball State game last year are some of the most avid college football fans in the country! Though I'm sure there are a LOT of hard core OSU fans, I think there are many, many more pseudo "Hard Core" OSU fans. Because of them, those 8,000-10,000 Akron fans who sat in the rain against Ball State don't get to see their team on any prominent page of the AKRON paper or on the news. Nope, their victory that was a turning point in a great comeback season was relegated to some obscure section of the AKRON paper, and probably not even mentioned on the Cleveland news.

I don't expect Akron to be on the front page of the New York Times for beating Ball State, but for GODS SAKE, can we generate some pride in the hometown here! I firmly believe that a University is possably one of the biggest assests a city can have. If the people of Akron want want to live in a cool city and generate excitement and jobs in the area, then they have got to stop considering themselves as a suburb of Cleveland or an "Ohioan" and have pride in their city! Akron has taken many devistating blows in the past and I firmly believe UA is far and away, the best way for the city of Akron to prosper in the future. The people of Akron need to get behind the University, use the knowledge and acclaim it imparts on the local area to remake Akron. But as long as nobody knows this jewel known as UA exists, Akron will continue to be just a suburb of Cleveland.

[Buckzip]

Zipsrifle, although I don't agree with everything you said, I can respect it, and see your point. Thank you.

[Zips fan]

Why I hate Ohio Sate? They aren't The University of Akron!

I will root for our fellow MAC schools for OOC games but other that, I root against anyone that will negatively influence my team. If Can't is playing BG and BG needs a MAC loss, I would root for Can't. Ohio state is a team that negatively effects my team by taking media coverage. I personally don't care much about any big ten team, but if Ohio state didn't win another game this season, I would be smiling along.

GO ZIPS!!!

[Buckzip]

The thing is, is that the hatred of UA is not existent on OSU boards.

I talk about UA quite often, and always get positive responses.

Things like Akron is really turning the corner, they have a great new coach, the new facilites are awesome. It's good to have another school in Ohio to cheer for.

When there are recruits that want to go to OSU, but don't get offers, like Carlton Jackson, and Dennis Kennedy, there are always postives such as Akron is a good team to go to, or we will follow them at Akron. Guys on there boards were constantly saying how good Frye is/was

Even during OSU/Akron week a few years ago, there was no Akron bashing. Believe me if there was, I would have been all over it.

Sure, there are a-hole fans. Everyone has them. Believe me, there are many OSU fans that I want to slap upside the skull. We have our share too. But geez, OSU is the largest University in the nation, and has the highest number of Alums. By default, it will seem like they have more than most.

I am not saying anyone should be a fan. I am just saying the hatred is absurd.

Again, it is not their fault that the BJ sucks. They have a huge fan base. That is why they are on TV so much.

That's my piece. I'm done.

Go Zips.