Hokies,
As an Ohio State fan and alumni, I have been very excited for this upcoming game with you guys. I've always liked Va Tech and really have a ton of respect for Beamer and Foster. I figured I would help out some of ya'll that are making the trip to Columbus this weekend.
For hotels, I would look into any of the national chains on Olentangy River Rd and any place off of I71. If any of you guys are coming in on Thursday or Friday, I would definitely try to visit campus and check out High St. There is a bit of construction around campus right now, but nothing that would change any traffic routes. There are plenty of shops, bars, and solid food choices right around the campus area. If ya head about a mile or so south of campus on High St., you'll get to the Short North District of Columbus. There are a lot of cool bars in that area as well. It's a little "hipster-ish" down there, so don't judge The Ohio State University based off what you happen to see down there.
If you plan on going out Friday night, I would definitely head to Eddie George's. It's located on the border of campus on 11th and High St. It's more of an alumni oriented eatery, so not many college students will be there late at night. Varsity Club on Lane Ave. is also a cool little dive bar with plenty of Buckeye artifacts, posters, memorabilia, etc. If you're into the college aged bar scene, there are plenty along High St. Chumleys, Out R Inn, The O Patio and Pub, Midway, Oxley's Tavern, and the Ugly Tuna Saloon are some pretty solid options.
When it comes to tailgating for the game, there are plenty of RV lots near the basketball arena and outside the Horseshoe. Bars will probably be pretty crowded early and many fraternities and sororities have day party/tailgates/yard parties. Most of the student tailgating is located east of High St. along Indianola Ave. between Lane Ave. and 12th Ave. For the most part, students and alumni are pretty welcoming. However, like every fan base, we have our assholes. Most of them tend to be fans that did not attend Ohio State, couldn't get into tOSU, and aren't very knowledgeable. I would get to Ohio Stadium about an hour before the game to see the band enter down the ramps of Ohio Stadium and Script Ohio. After a (hopeful) Buckeye win, High St. will be packed and a hell of a time. Btw, it's pretty easy to sneak flasks into the Shoe and the food options are reasonably priced.
The next day should also be pretty exciting with the start of the NFL season. Chumleys is a great place to watch the games and nearly every game is aired. Ohio State is a large enough school where you will see a jersey of nearly every team strolling around campus Sunday (majority Browns and Bengals).
I'm really looking forward to this game and I believe that you guys are a much tougher opponent than ESecPN gives credit. I'm predicting a 31-13 Ohio State win, but that is my extremely confident/hopeful pick. Realistically, I see the game being decided by less than the spread. If you have questions, feel free to ask. I'll be checking this blog every now and then leading up to the game. Go Bucks!
Comments
Thank you very much for visiting and providing helpful info! best of luck in the game, and hopefully we can upset the odds & your team. I know Columbus is a HUGE franchise restaurant type of town, but what are the local spots where Hokies might be able to taste some Ohio comfort food?
I went to Thurman's at least every few weeks. AMAZING burgers.
I would second Thurman's for the burgers! But a warning, they are not for those with small appetites.
We are much tougher than ESPN predicts but you think you will steam roll us 31-13? I think it will be a 7 point game for whoever wins personally. But, yeah, I am so excited to see Ohio Stadium on saturday.
E: Didn't read that you had a more realistic opinion as well. My bad.
That's my very optimistic prediction. As a Buckeye fan that has witnessed consecutive losses in the BCS Nat'l Championships in '06 and '07, I'm used to being let down. I'm trying to become a more "optimistic" fan. The girlfriend is tired of my negativity.
Been there, dude. Can't blame ya for the optimism. That said, the optimist in me thinks Tech will win 55-0, but hey, ya never know.
Oh ye of little faith. Hokies break the record for largest point differential 223-0, because screw Georgia Tech.
[puts down flask]
[passes out]
Schmidts in German Village is an outstanding, family owned eatery. Great beer selection, solid German sausages, etc. etc. Another solid option is Thurman's Cafe. It was featured on one of those "Man vs. Food" type shows. Excellent burgers and deep fried food. If you're looking to stay around campus, Eddie George's and Varsity Club have pretty standard/traditional menus but are great for the atmosphere. Apollos Greek House on High St. and 13th is a very good late night option for gyros. The line will be out the door, but it's well worth the wait!
Not going to the game, but I'll definitely have to check out Schmidts the next time I'm passing through
Welcome and thanks for posting helpful info! It's always fun to have a friendly fan of our opponents. The Bama guy last year was awesome. I won't be going to the Shoe this year, but from the comfort of my couch I expect a close game, too close for either team to be comfortable.
Thanks for dropping by! I'll be in the 'Shoe along with a good chunk of the TKP community. Pretty stoked to see one of the great atmospheres of college football. Should be a fun time, for sure.
31-13?
He does know we have a Sam Rogers doesn't he?
Don't forget their cheer!
You win the thread.
I got compliment from Joe!
who is "the" OSU? pretty sure we are playing "an"OSU. (kidding of course)
good luck with the game. I wish I could make it. Great to have some good fan interaction.
optimistic hypothetical, after we win how hostile an environment should we expect? we have heard, as you mentioned, that fans there can fall toward the asshole side of the spectrum, and have been likened to WVU. In that case we expect burning couches, vile insults before/during/after the game, people throwing shit (i'm talking real shit not generalities) at our cars and being forced to take toothless relatives away for "breeding".
final question, before Urban became your coach did you actually hate him like most college football fans? I ask because you seem fairly honest and reasonable.
You say that like he should still not hate Urbie?
I can answer about the fan behavior. I've not been, but I have a buddy who has, and he didn't find issues with them. It will be nothing at all like WVU. I'd compare it more to Clemson, maybe. Maybe not quite as rabid, but more along those lines. In other words, pretty responsible, while still passionate. I'd be surprised if there were any problems with their fans.
If VaTech wins, you may get some "asshole" type chants and maybe some dumb comments from the fans I mentioned above. I doubt any fans really have any beef with VaTech so it should be okay. I understand the national perception of tOSU fans brought to you courtesy of Clay Travis. Trust me, it's not that bad. And honestly, I absolutely despised Urban after he tore us up in the 2006-2007 NCG. Thought he was a prick. However, after Tressel resigns and your team has it's first losing season since the 80s, you realize that he's a top 3 recruiter and a top 10 coach. Grass is greener on the otherwise I suppose.
edit: other side. I swear these holiday weekend hang overs get worse every year
Thanks for stopping by, Cleveland Buckeye! Looks like my warning in the other thread has already been shown to be questionable.
so pertaining to tailgating.
I looked at the map and found a grass lot that is cash right behind the Fawcett Event Center. Seems close to the stadium and in between our hotel and the stadium. Is that a good spot? How early will it fill up?
Thanks for stopping by.
I've never tailgated over there near Fawcett. I'd imagine it wouldn't fill up as quick as the places closer to campus. I'm sure it would be a decent spot, but can't speak on experience.
Okay cool, I just saw on the other thread that is where the Ohio VT Chapter tailgate is so that may be a good spot for Hokies after all.
Yes, I am heading over there. The chapter-sponsored tailgate is from 3:30 - 7:30 at the Fawcett Center and will have a good food selection (brats, pulled chicken bbq, sides, desserts, etc) and a cash bar. They have online registration that ends today. Here's the link:
www.alumni.vt.edu/osu
Get there early and park at The Ohio Union garage on High. Right on campus and you get to walk across the Oval to the Horseshoe. Ohio Union also has Woody's bar where you can grab a local brew and catch the early games on TV. Most of thee fans there will be a bit older and friendly. If you get their early enough go to Thompson library and enjoy a great 360 view of all of Cow Town.
Thanks for the info, feel free to stop by here next year, you'll find no shortage of suggestions of what to do if you are making the return trip to Blacksburg.
Appreciate the hospitality. Moving down to Atlanta in a few months, so I will definitely be making the trip to Blacksburg
I liked this reference:
Leg for that. That will get some use for sure.
I've been to two games at the 'Shoe. Had an exGF a few years back that was an alum and got alum tix each year. Saw tOSU play USC one year. Night game, incredible atmosphere, right up until that USC running back got in the end zone to win it at the end. Then 100k+ OSU fans collective sh!t their pants and stroked out! Next year it was vs. Ohio University or something.
I'll second that while I love Lane, especially a big game at the 'Shoe is quite an experience. For the USC game we saw the band come in, the crowd clapping, Script Ohio, etc. I have to admit it was pretty cool. They also gave out these "terrible towels", red, with the words to the Alma Mater and Fight Songs on them to everyone for free. I thought that was a nice touch. I doubt you could find 1 out of 10 VT alums/fans that know all that and having it handy for a game like is nice.
I've been in Eddie George's, it's a cool spot. I've also been to Schmidts', I'm a big German food fan and I told exGF to find me a good spot, so that's where we went. Was fan-f*cking-tastic.
Other things to do while you're up there - it's a bit of a drive, but not too far considering you're already in Ohio - the Wright Patterson AFB Museum is amazing. I've been there twice and still haven't had a chance to take the bus tour out to the old Air Force One planes' hanger.
I found most of the actual OSU alums to be pretty decent folks. The worst I encountered there was this USC fan that had horrible gas. And I mean bad, bad, bad. He should have been arrested for chemical terrorism. It just got worse as the game went on, both frequency and potency.
I'll be there with bells on.
I've been to Columbus before for a Mich/OSU game (everyone needs to do that once if your life) and the place is out of control. Easily the most feverish tailgating atmosphere I have been to with the USC/VT @ FedEx a close second. You can tell the anOSU alumni really get into coming back to the school for these big games.
Be prepared if you are walking through the RV lot (HUGE) they will line up and chant "azzhole" as you make your way to the stadium. No one took it too far and, IMO, it was all in good fun. We didn't really have any problems with any of the fans and half of our group was rocking the Maize and Blue.
Eddie George's bar is definitely a must-see spot the night before, we had a blast there. The place gets packed though the night before the game.
Where is everyone meeting up for the TKP tailgate?
I'm currently in my 2nd year at VT and I was wondering if any Hokies on here could tell me a good spot to watch the game in Blacksburg (Must be an under 21 spot)? I was thinking Buffalo Wild Wings but I went there for the 'Bama game last year and it wasn't too exciting of a crowd.
a house party.
If you get there fairly early, Champs should let you in. Might be different for a gameday, dunno.
Another Ohio State fan here. I'd just add one point to ClevelandBuckeye's trip planning post: for those of you who are "foodies," C-bus also has a pretty good mix of ethnic spots, fine dining, and hidden gem mom & pop restaurants. These days, I actually live closer to Blacksburg than I do C-bus, so I'm not up on the latest new eateries, but this link at Columbus Alive online magazine might be a good place to start.
One option is to stroll around North Market, not far from Ohio State campus.
As for the game day atmosphere, most Buckeye fans at tailgates and around the stadium will warmly welcome Hokie fans. It is nothing like Morgantown. Yeah, you might run into a few drunken idiots and wannabe tough guys, especially inside the 'Shoe - with it being a night game - but they're mostly harmless. Now I will say that, if V Tech does win the game, you're probably better off partying at an adult bar than you are strutting down High Street decked out in Hokies gear and bar hopping the college bars at 1 a.m. But otherwise, you should run into no problems.
I'm really looking forward to visiting Blacksburg next season. It's in one of my favorite regions in the U.S. (I have been to Charlottesville). We really respect the Virginia Tech program, so whatever happens this Saturday, good luck on the rest of your season.
Nice! I like how we pull in the fans from other schools on this site. Last year it was Alabama, this year, OSU.
Good on you, Fido, best of luck and health for your guys this weekend.
Thanks for dropping in. I think it will be a good game on Saturday, best of luck to your guys in terms of good health and good competition.
Been trying to tell people about North Market. One of the few things I miss about living in Cow Town.
Do you guys have any info about getting into the OSU student section? A friend of mine got my buddies tickets and I want to make sure that we can make it in and not waste our 5 hour drive there.
We plan on wearing a neutral color shirt (most likely white) to get into the stadium and then wear our Tech gear.
The original purchaser of the student (assuming you don't have public tickets) ticket(s) can upgrade them to public tickets for ~$80 each, before game day. Probably not an answer you are looking for.
Edited because basically reposted what Cleveland said below
I'm not sure about upgrading, but I sat in the student section (south stands) every game during my 4 years. You simply need your ticket and a BuckID(student ID/card type thing). They don't scan it, so you should have no problem borrowing a student's. If not, you can pay your friend 15 bucks or something to get a new one
Thanks! She was able to borrow some of her friends ID's so I think that's the route we are going to take.
Its crazy seeing all these OSU fans here this week. It just goes to show how much TKP keeps growing and growing. Welcome to TheKeyPlay.com as long as y'all have a good sense of humor you guys will fit in just fine.
They say "y'all" in Ohio?
The say "pop" in Ohio. I haven't heard y'all too often,