CSNbbs

In Indiana, BSU is one of 4 Div 1A programs:

Notre Dame
Indiana
Purdue
BALL STATE

However, the local media doesn't treat us like a Div 1A program. We're often thrown in with Div 1AA Indiana State, and other "smaller-time" programs in newspaper Sports sections. As a result, the perception remains (very high) throughout the state, they we are not Div 1A (big time or mid major).

They (fans of Indiana Big 11 programs) laugh at our academic credentials (although we rate highly in several fields, including very high in architecture, business, telecommunications, and teaching) and think our athletic programs are sub par. However, to feed their insecurities, they need to belittle us "Testicle Tech" graduates.

For us, there's a way to fix it (football-wise) - beat IU and PU consitently. We've only beat them in basketball. We had our chances to beat them in football this year but blew it.

Another thing that would help us deflate the moon-sized heads/egos of Indiana Big 11 (and ND) fans - put a US president in office.

There was a similar discussion regarding this very topic on AZZ.com a couple of weeks back.

Here was my take:

Rightupinthere Wrote:I'm not sure I "hate" TOAMU. I experience a certain level of discomfort from their fans simply because I "don't care."

Oh, I used to be a fan. I pulled for them in their game against Miami a couple of years back. Why? Because there were some Ohio boys playing on that squad. Simple.

Here is a typical conversation I have with a person about college football:

Other: So, what did you think of the OState game Saturday?

Me: Don't know. Didn't watch it.

Other: They won.

Me: Oh. Good for them.

Other: You're not a fan?

Me: Nope. I don't follow them.

Other: Oh, did you grow up in Ohio?

Me: [annoyed] Of course I did. I went to BGSU. I follow BGSU. I have no need for another.

Other: Oh. Who [sic] do you pull for in 1A?.

Me: [annoyed] I would root for no other.


There is an assumption in the exchange cited above that all citizens of Ohio MUST be an OState fan to some degree or you are not a good citizen. I abhor that premise. I have had this conversation more times than I can count. I was speaking with a UT fan and an A&M fan in Dallas a couple of years ago. They automatically assumed I was a Big Can't Count Conference fan simply because of my mailing address. I proudly told them I was a MAC and CCHA fan only.

I will go further. Ohio has some of the finest hospitals, orchestras, museums, and institutes of higher learning in the world. However, in most people's minds in this state, the only thing which matters - in order to "make our state better" - is if the Conkers* win on Saturday. That, my friends, is lunacy.

*Conkers is a Buckeye tree in Great Britain.

MileHighBronco Wrote:

Motown Bronco Wrote:It's their bandwagon followers who couldn't locate Ann Arbor on a map, let alone have walked into their classroom, who are the most obnoxious of the lot.

Isn't that the truth. And they are everywhere. The wagon is huge.

Not only that, but scUM refuses to play WMU anymore in hoops because we've taken 4 of the last 5 from them. Can't have that. Nope. Threatens this "image" they have of themselves that the Detroit media has helped them cultivate for so long. lmfao

this bandwagon comment is SO TRUE for OSU too. i have this conversation with my best friend just about every year at this time. like you guys have said, it's one thing if you truly went to the university and have a legitimate reason to root for it. but it's those fans like you were talking about (the ones who couldn't find Ohio Stadium if they were standing on the 50-yard line!) that really tick me off the most.