I'm a terrible example, as I try to make it a point to keep it somewhere close. But your hypothesis Love may as well be law. Most of my OU friends that tailgate in Cbus spend way more than I do.
I'll throw in my 2 cents on this subject. To give Love another OSUfan/OU alums spending habits.
OSU:
I bought my OU v OSU tickets from my brother who is a OSU alum: $148 (me and my wife are going)
Concessions: $40 for mixers for my sneaked in rum and maybe something for the wife like nachos or hot dog.
OSU Apparal: Haven't bought anything in about 3-4 years, but I do need a new jersey as the numbers on my old one are peeling away. Plus will probably get a few OSU outfits for my 2 yr old: $125
Columbus Hotel: $100
COTA has a bus route tht starts near my hotel, so no parking for me, but $10 for bus fare.
Not sure what I will be doing tailgate wise...
Ohio:
Just bought $100 worth of T-shirts and toddler clothes and had them delivered a few weeks ago before football season. (earlier this year during basketball season spent $50 on Ohio Lanyard I wear at work and some toddler clothes)
MAC Tournament Tickets: 2 tickets x 3 games x $??? (can't remember the cost) While I don't make it back to Athens, I make sure I am at the MAC tournament for every Ohio game here in Cleveland.
Not sure what I will be doing tailgate wise as I don't know if I can make it to the Lodge Bar Friday night.
Now, my normal OSU spending is actually less as this year they are playing Ohio so I HAD to get tickets for that game. Normally IF I go to an Ohio State game I go for free thanks to my lil brother and his alumni tickets. Though I do pay him by paying for his alcohol.