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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Has Marshall become Ohio's top football rivalry? Why or why not?
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Gallia Cat
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Posted: 9/8/2015 10:18 AM
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I know history says Miami is Ohio's biggest rival but it hasn't felt like it in years. It seems that much like Miami gets more pumped up for its backyard rival UC, Ohio seems to get more fired up for its backyard neighbor to the south.

For those of us that reside between Athens and Huntington I think the Marshall game has become the game.

Thoughts?
Last Edited: 9/8/2015 10:23:28 AM by Gallia Cat
perimeterpost
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:04 AM
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According to Marshall fans this is our Super Bowl but for them its just a trap game (that they obsess about constantly) so I don't know if it can be considered a true rivalry. In fact, discussing how Ohio is so much more into the series than Marshall is one of their fans' favorite topics, they talk about it ALL the time.

Its hard for them to get up for a game when their players are so vastly superior (obvi) to Ohio's and the only reason Ohio ever beats them is because Marshall loses the game by giving Ohio turnovers, not because Ohio forced those turnovers and managed to score points.

So, sadly, I do not think Marshall qualifies as a rival.
The Optimist
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:13 AM
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I would call this our "most heated" rivalry, currently at least. For a couple of years there, it felt like Temple was our "most heated" rival. Similar to Temple, part of the fun in the Marshall rivalry is that they have fans (the requirement that you have a fan base disqualifies Miami) and their fans simply do come come across as the sharpest tools in the shed. Some may take that as an insult, but really I mean it as a compliment. Watching their minds attempt to process information makes the game more fun.

Speaking of this being our "super bowl," haven't we won like 3 of the last 4?
Last Edited: 9/8/2015 11:15:41 AM by The Optimist
shabamon
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:26 AM
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Yes.

And the reasons Marshall fans may scoff at it are the same reasons WVU fans scoff at them.
fedale
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:33 AM
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Some Marshall fans don't necessarily see Ohio as a big rivalry, we're not really exposed to Bobcat fans and you guys aren't as loud or annoying as WVU, UK, and OSU fans... which Huntington lays right smack dab between all those fan bases.

I'll say this though, I love the Battle for the Bell, I would love for it to be played every year and I have a great time in Athens every time except once!(I've been 6 or 7 times now for events here and there).

I definitely see it as a rivalry but it feels like there's much less hatred, much like our rivalry with ECU.

Ignore the people who say its your guys' Super Bowl, they're just trying to get under your skin and light a fire under your asses, trust me I used to do the same thing.

Here's to good weather and a good game Saturday!

Also for some good banter, head on over to Herdfans.com or Herdnation.com !
Last Edited: 9/8/2015 11:34:17 AM by fedale
herdfan07
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:40 AM
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I don't hate Ohio. Before and after Marshall plays Ohio I root for Ohio. I love the trip up to Athens and I'm hoping I can find some decently priced tickets since I just started to new job to make this game. This is the one road game that my wife WANTS to go to.

Same as some of your fans, Marshall has its share of obnoxious people. I sat in front of some at home games last year that made me want to leave.

I want this game to continue because I look forward to it no matter where its at. When Marshall plays at Pedan it scares the crap out of me.

Here's to a fun game and hopefully a Marshall win!
Gallia Cat
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:46 AM
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I remember how intense the Ohio-Miami basketball games use to be. The Convo and even Millett Hall would be standing room only! What happened? Why did it not translate to football? My guess is it comes down to the decline of Miami's football and basketball programs. Now in Miami's defense Ohio's football program was so bad for so long that no one considered the Ohio game to be a big game.

I guess the rivalry just needs Ohio and Miami to be at the top of their games at the same time.
shabamon
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Posted: 9/8/2015 11:51 AM
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Miami basketball needs a complete program transformation + several years of consistent winning for that to feel like a 2-sided rivalry. There's better infrastructure at Miami for football to succeed quite quickly.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:00 PM
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The answer is and always will be Miami. Marshall is a nice little rivalry to have every once in a while, but I don't care how bad Miami is or how good Ohio is or vice versa. If Ohio loses to Miami, I'm pissed. If Ohio loses to Marshall, I'm upset but not as much. You don't just NOT play your top rival in football every year (I guess Texas and Texas A&M might disagree...).

For comparison sakes:

Ohio = Michigan
Miami = Ohio State
Marshall = Notre Dame

At least in Bobcat terms in my eyes. Michigan and ND have a great rivalry, but it's not Michigan/OSU.
Last Edited: 9/8/2015 12:01:56 PM by GoCats105
Gallia Cat
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:09 PM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
The answer is and always will be Miami. Marshall is a nice little rivalry to have every once in a while, but I don't care how bad Miami is or how good Ohio is or vice versa. If Ohio loses to Miami, I'm pissed. If Ohio loses to Marshall, I'm upset but not as much. You don't just NOT play your top rival in football every year (I guess Texas and Texas A&M might disagree...).

For comparison sakes:

Ohio = Michigan
Miami = Ohio State
Marshall = Notre Dame

At least in Bobcat terms in my eyes. Michigan and ND have a great rivalry, but it's not Michigan/OSU.
Good comparison although if you talk to Michigan alumni they name Michigan State as their most hated and biggest rival just because they have to endure MSU fans on a daily basis. Plus the UM-MSU rivalry is more than football.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:25 PM
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As an outsider, the sense I get is that Ohio fans believe that Marshall has a good football team, and that the football games are fun, intense, and competitive. I get no sense that they view Marshall as competition as a University, and that's why they view Miami as their "true rival". As someone else mentioned, the Temple football games were similar, fun, intense, and competitive, but not a true rivalry in the sense that the Universities compete in all respects.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:28 PM
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Gallia Cat wrote:expand_more
The answer is and always will be Miami. Marshall is a nice little rivalry to have every once in a while, but I don't care how bad Miami is or how good Ohio is or vice versa. If Ohio loses to Miami, I'm pissed. If Ohio loses to Marshall, I'm upset but not as much. You don't just NOT play your top rival in football every year (I guess Texas and Texas A&M might disagree...).

For comparison sakes:

Ohio = Michigan
Miami = Ohio State
Marshall = Notre Dame

At least in Bobcat terms in my eyes. Michigan and ND have a great rivalry, but it's not Michigan/OSU.
Good comparison although if you talk to Michigan alumni they name Michigan State as their most hated and biggest rival just because they have to endure MSU fans on a daily basis. Plus the UM-MSU rivalry is more than football.
That must be for the Michigan fans who actually live in Michigan. My friends who are Michigan fans from Ohio think it's Ohio State. Michigan State is a great rivalry, but it's not OSU. There's a reason they call the last game of the season "The Game."
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:31 PM
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For me, since my student days Miami has been the game in which I invest my strongest emotions.

Two examples: In my student days, Miami arrived in Athens after beating Purdue. Before the game, Miami fans - yes, a large contingent of Redskin fans followed the team to Peden - chanted something disparaging about Ohio.

As the game was winding down, Ohio fans began returning the favor when it became clear that the Bobcats would prevail - which they did 10-7.

Last season when Ohio fell behind Miami 21-0, I was groaning. What a lousy way to end the season. Then as we Ohio fans will long remember and as Miami fans wish they could forget the Bobcats came alive and pulled out a win. Elation!
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:38 PM
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t will always be Miami to me. I think our chief rivalry will always be someone from our conference. Marshall is a nice regional game that doesn't really mean a lot. I really do not care if it stays.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:38 PM
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Marshall is our biggest rival.
Gallia Cat
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:49 PM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
The answer is and always will be Miami. Marshall is a nice little rivalry to have every once in a while, but I don't care how bad Miami is or how good Ohio is or vice versa. If Ohio loses to Miami, I'm pissed. If Ohio loses to Marshall, I'm upset but not as much. You don't just NOT play your top rival in football every year (I guess Texas and Texas A&M might disagree...).

For comparison sakes:

Ohio = Michigan
Miami = Ohio State
Marshall = Notre Dame

At least in Bobcat terms in my eyes. Michigan and ND have a great rivalry, but it's not Michigan/OSU.
Good comparison although if you talk to Michigan alumni they name Michigan State as their most hated and biggest rival just because they have to endure MSU fans on a daily basis. Plus the UM-MSU rivalry is more than football.
That must be for the Michigan fans who actually live in Michigan. My friends who are Michigan fans from Ohio think it's Ohio State. Michigan State is a great rivalry, but it's not OSU. There's a reason they call the last game of the season "The Game."
Does it come down to the geography of the fan you are asking? An example would be for Ohio fans residing southeast of Athens its Marshall. Is it more about the mixture of fan bases that really determine the rival?
MariettaCatFanatic
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Posted: 9/8/2015 12:50 PM
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IMO...you're biggest rival is a conference foe. We have a nice rivalry with Marshall with a lot of bragging rights on the line. However, there will never be MAC championship implications on the line between the two teams. Miami is our biggest rival.
Last Edited: 9/8/2015 4:22:52 PM by MariettaCatFanatic
Gallia Cat
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Posted: 9/8/2015 1:04 PM
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MariettaCatFanatic wrote:expand_more
IMO...you're biggest rival is a conference foe. We have a nice rivalry with Marshall with a lot of bragging rights on the line. However, there will never be a MAC championship implications on the line between the two teams. Miami is our biggest rival.
Most of the time that is the case but there are some exceptions. I would submit Clemson-South Carolina as an example. Others COULD be Louisville-Kentucky, Florida-Florida State, Texas-Texas A&M, BYU-Utah, etc.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 1:07 PM
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Gallia Cat wrote:expand_more
The answer is and always will be Miami. Marshall is a nice little rivalry to have every once in a while, but I don't care how bad Miami is or how good Ohio is or vice versa. If Ohio loses to Miami, I'm pissed. If Ohio loses to Marshall, I'm upset but not as much. You don't just NOT play your top rival in football every year (I guess Texas and Texas A&M might disagree...).

For comparison sakes:

Ohio = Michigan
Miami = Ohio State
Marshall = Notre Dame

At least in Bobcat terms in my eyes. Michigan and ND have a great rivalry, but it's not Michigan/OSU.
Good comparison although if you talk to Michigan alumni they name Michigan State as their most hated and biggest rival just because they have to endure MSU fans on a daily basis. Plus the UM-MSU rivalry is more than football.
That must be for the Michigan fans who actually live in Michigan. My friends who are Michigan fans from Ohio think it's Ohio State. Michigan State is a great rivalry, but it's not OSU. There's a reason they call the last game of the season "The Game."
Does it come down to the geography of the fan you are asking? An example would be for Ohio fans residing southeast of Athens its Marshall. Is it more about the mixture of fan bases that really determine the rival?
Geography certainly has a lot to do with it. Other than Notre Dame/USC, I can't think of many rivalries that are several states away from one another. Miami/Ohio is interesting because of how many similarities both schools have to each other, but also the differences that set them worlds apart.

Marshall is obviously closer than Oxford, so geography definitely plays a role in the Marshall/Ohio rivalry. I just don't find it AS compelling as Miami/Ohio.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 1:07 PM
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L.C. wrote:expand_more
As an outsider, the sense I get is that Ohio fans believe that Marshall has a good football team, and that the football games are fun, intense, and competitive. I get no sense that they view Marshall as competition as a University, and that's why they view Miami as their "true rival". As someone else mentioned, the Temple football games were similar, fun, intense, and competitive, but not a true rivalry in the sense that the Universities compete in all respects.
This is the way I feel. I love playing Marshall and enjoy beating them in football more than just about anyone else we play. On the other hand, I feel like it's just a football rivalry. Miami is an institutional rivalry. Similar institutions, similar histories. Also, Miami students/alumni like to pretend they are above it all, but they are quick with the snide remarks and constant disparaging of Ohio. They are much more invested than they like to let on.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 1:17 PM
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The Marshall series is great and I hope they keep playing forever. I've been to two Ohio games in Hungtington (1 loss, 1 win) and had a good experience both times. But Miami is our rival. There's so much history. Heck, Charlie Coles alone ends the argument. Gary Trent vs. Devin Davis. Grunkenmeyer. Geno Ford dribbling out the clock. Our band is barred from playing in Oxford. Our alumni band fought the Miami football team during halftime of a Homecoming. Down 21-0. Two schools, seperated by 182 miles. OU/Oh Yeah echoing across Yager Stadium. "Let's finish kicking Miami's ass." We're in the same division in the same conference. And so on.

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Posted: 9/8/2015 2:15 PM
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When I was in school (early-mid '60's) our top rival was Bowling Green as I recall.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 2:38 PM
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I always think Miami is the bigger rival for the OHIO students and Marshall is the bigger rival for the locals/SE Ohio natives.

Most of us who came to OHIO from other parts of the state never really thought about Marshall while in high school. To me, rivalries are more fun when you know the enemy. Most of us Ohio natives knew people from our high schools who went to Miami. Meanwhile, I don't know anyone who went to Marshall, and since they left the MAC before I went to school, I never really gave much thought to them. I also agree with the posters who said rivals should compete in more than just athletics. Plus, the stereotypes of the students at the schools makes the rivalry more fun.

Meanwhile, I can see why those who grew up in SE Ohio view Marshall as the bigger rival. The schools are close, they're in the same region and face the same difficulties. But as someone who grew up 200 miles north of Athens, it's more difficult to find a reason to hate an out-of-conference, out-of-state team.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 2:41 PM
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Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more
The Marshall series is great and I hope they keep playing forever. I've been to two Ohio games in Hungtington (1 loss, 1 win) and had a good experience both times. But Miami is our rival. There's so much history. Heck, Charlie Coles alone ends the argument. Gary Trent vs. Devin Davis. Grunkenmeyer. Geno Ford dribbling out the clock. Our band is barred from playing in Oxford. Our alumni band fought the Miami football team during halftime of a Homecoming. Down 21-0. Two schools, seperated by 182 miles. OU/Oh Yeah echoing across Yager Stadium. "Let's finish kicking Miami's ass." We're in the same division in the same conference. And so on.
And with that, the hammer meets the head of the proverbial nail.
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Posted: 9/8/2015 3:45 PM
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MariettaCatFanatic wrote:expand_more
IMO...you're biggest rival is a conference foe. We have a nice rivalry with Marshall with a lot of bragging rights on the line. However, there will never be a MAC championship implications on the line between the two teams. Miami is our biggest rival.
Fair point. I think that as a former MAC member and the continued series, this still becomes a rivalry game.

I wonder if Miami moved to a different conference and we continued to play them if we would still consider it a rivalry?
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