With the understanding that the task on the field is monumental (but not impossible....the line has moved to +30, so apparently gamblers like our chances a little better than the bookmakers did originally), the least we as OHIO fans should try to do is assert our general superiority as human beings over the A&M faithful. The game is not played just on the field. It's also played in the hearts and minds of everyone watching. Like that one guy in "Gladiator" said to Russell Crowe: "Win the crowd, and you win your victory "(or something like that).
The enemy in this instance really is the Empire: monolithic, oppressive, unyielding, stubborn. Yet, they have their sensitivties, their hallowed ground, their traditions so precious that any deviation is repugnant. And it is these supposed sanctities that we, as fans, must exploit.
The chants "OH-IO," "O-H-I-O," and all other derivations of "Ohio" we have a handle on: we simply add "U" to the end, and voila, we win that round. I've been wondering whether they've put any thought into a counter to our move. The only thing I can think they would be able to pull off is a "sucks" after the "U". It's simple, and I think even their fans could get it through their heads that they should do it for this game. I doubt it, but it's possible. I've been wondering how we should counter that if necessary. Somebody help me out.
There's one other tradition I've thought of that we need to address/trivialize: Script Ohio. I've seen it in person. It's not that impressive. Sure, the first time it was done (**cough** by Michigan **cough**) I bet it was pretty sweet. But they do it every single week, every single year. You follow the same path each game, doing the same thing. And dotting the i? A dude runs out and bends over. Whooptie doo. But osu fans go nuts over it (no pun intended).
Ideally, I'd love to see the 110 do it (while playing "Hollaback Girl," or some equally dismissive song), just to show them that (1) our band can learn in a week the formation that they think is so impressive, and (2) that we are Ohio, and we're not going away. But, we as fans have no control over the 110, and I'm sure whatever they have planned will be awesome.
So, here's what I'm thinking. This Script Ohio thing is supposedly such an impressive thing that EVERYBODY has to see it to believe it. Well, let's not watch. Drawing inspiration from the O Zone at basketball games , I propose that the residents of Bobcat Attack -- regulars, occasionals, and lurkers all -- distribute newspapers among the Bobcat fans with the instructions to turn our backs during Script Ohio, pretending to read the paper rather than watch what is going on on the field. It's simple, effective, and will confuse the hell out of everyone in red.
Thoughts?