I don’t think anyone here, save for the deluded or irrationally optimistic, would argue that O$U is a traditional athletic rival in revenue sports. We get that they’re Goliath and we’re David. I also accept that Ozcat is much more of a Bobcat fan than even most on this board. I don’t think dual loyalty fans are evil for loving O$U but I do think they’re deeply misguided.

Much of this has been discussed on here before, but a reminder seems to be in order. 

Things big and small that O$U does with the name Ohio continue to cause material harm to our brand and institution. No other university in the country named after a state has to add a “U” before or after its name, but we still do after more than 200 years, lest we be confused with O$U. No other university with “state” in its name tries to shake the “state” moniker – most embrace it as a differentiator. Our unique situation sucks for branding and differentiation. From the time Ohio State was founded as Ohio A&M all the way up until the present, the school and its supporters have robbed us of our identity.

Every Ohio graduate has had to clarify where they went to school at some point, and that’s only partly due to athletic prominence. Anyone who cares about Ohio University should loathe Ohio State.

Ohio State was founded as Ohio A&M in 1870, 66 years after Ohio. Since Ohio State’s birth, it’s been ashamed of its name. Ohio A&M faced competition for resources from the other two state universities (Miami and Ohio), but the 1906 Eagleson Bill (a treat from the Columbus-based legislature) named Ohio State the state’s flagship campus and explicitly stated that only Ohio State could offer doctoral degrees and conduct research. This paved the way for Ohio State’s rapid growth and dominance, and it hamstrung all other state schools for decades both academically and athletically. Their gains have often come at our expense.

So Miami has a case against O$U as well, but ours is even stronger. That’s because Ohio State has long coveted Ohio University’s name. Before 1920, it tried to get the legislature to change its name to the University of Ohio while forcing Ohio University to change its name (an effort that was successfully thwarted). Their coveting, thievery and abuse of “Ohio” as it relates to athletics is ongoing. Ohio State even challenged Ohio University’s athletic trademark on “Ohio” in the 1990s and lost again. 

I’m a Clevelander so I love an underdog and loyalty means more to me than a hollow ride on a bandwagon. I understand that we need all the fans we can get, including those who wear Buckeye gear to the Convo. I understand the history and motivations of those fans. I've heard all their justifications. I don't hate them, but I’m glad I’ll never be one of them.