Is This Supposed Buckeye Fan Secretly Rooting for Michigan? Some Comments Have Ohio State Faithful Scratching Their Heads in Confusion
Ohio State and Michigan. The rivalry. The war. The divide that runs deeper than any other in college football. It’s about identity, bloodlines, family allegiances, and regional pride. You’re either with the Buckeyes or you’re not. There’s no middle ground, no nuance, no “both sides.” Or so we thought. But lately, among some circles of Buckeye Nation—especially online—a certain “rational” Buckeye fan has stirred controversy, confusion, and in some cases, outright suspicion. Is this fan truly one of us, or has the line between objectivity and disloyalty been blurred too far?
We’ve all seen the type. The one who, after back-to-back losses to Michigan in 2021 and 2022, insisted that Michigan had simply “out-toughed” Ohio State. The fan who, in 2023, warned us not to get “too high” on Kyle McCord, then turned around and praised J.J. McCarthy’s poise. The one who, even after the 2024 thriller in Columbus—a game the Buckeyes finally won again—was quick to qualify it by saying, “Well, Michigan still had a shot late.” These aren’t normal Buckeye takes. Not for a true believer.
This fan—let’s call them RationalBuck88 on social media—isn’t overtly disloyal. They wear the scarlet and gray. They post gifs of Brutus. They celebrate wins and grumble about tough losses. But somewhere in the mix, their energy just feels… off. When Jeremiah Smith torches a corner in practice, they quote-tweet with “Hope he doesn’t end up like Garrett Wilson—underutilized until the end.” When the Buckeye defense clamps down in red zone drills, they chime in with, “Let’s see them do it against Michigan’s O-line.” It’s subtle. But it adds up. The constant undercutting. The backhanded praise. The persistent comparisons to Ann Arbor.
Maybe it’s just realism, some might argue. After all, we live in the age of analytics, recruiting rankings, and longform podcasts that break down every play. Maybe the modern fan simply sees too much to stay blindly loyal. But is that really an excuse? In a rivalry like this—where emotion and tribalism fuel the fire—is there room for cool detachment?
Many would argue there isn’t. Especially in Columbus. Ohio State football isn’t just a hobby. It’s religion. It’s a unifying force for people from all walks of life in the state of Ohio. It’s an identity. And when someone starts sounding like they’re hedging their bets, playing both sides, or—God forbid—respecting Michigan too much, they’re going to draw scrutiny. And rightly so.
Because what does it mean to be a Buckeye fan, really? It means belief. It means refusing to concede even an inch to That Team Up North. It means shouting “O-H” across gas stations and airports with strangers. It means counting down the days until The Game even when it’s 300 days away. And, yes, it means irrational hatred. Hatred of a program, a color scheme, and a fan base that dares to think it can sit at the same table.
So when RationalBuck88 praises Jim Harbaugh’s “culture” or describes Michigan’s defense as “disciplined and well-coached,” what are we supposed to do with that? Just nod along? Let it slide because it’s “true”? Or is there something more insidious going on—some suppressed admiration leaking out from behind a façade of objectivity?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about refusing to acknowledge reality. Michigan has been excellent. They won the national title in 2023. They beat the Buckeyes three straight times. They produced Heisman contenders, NFL draft picks, and a legacy that won’t be forgotten any time soon. But recognizing their success isn’t the same as praising it. Not if you’re a Buckeye. Not if this means anything to you.
There’s a difference between saying “Michigan is dangerous” and saying “Honestly, they play the game the right way.” That second one crosses a line. That’s the language of a defector. That’s the kind of thing you say when you’ve started to internalize some level of admiration—even if you won’t admit it.
It’s not just what RationalBuck88 says about Michigan. It’s what they don’t say about Ohio State. After a strong summer of development from Julian Sayin, there’s little excitement. When the offensive line shows cohesion in drills, there’s skepticism. When the defense tightens its rotations and clogs up passing windows, there’s an immediate “But will it matter in November?” Always a “but.” Always a raincloud.
Even the tone shifts when Michigan enters the conversation. Suddenly the language is richer, more descriptive. “Smashmouth,” “disciplined,” “NFL-ready.” When it’s Ohio State, it’s “talented but inconsistent,” “still has to prove it,” “needs to get over the hump.” That’s not balance. That’s bias in disguise.
Some fans have tried to give RationalBuck88 the benefit of the doubt. “He’s just trying to be fair,” they say. “Someone has to temper expectations.” But those same fans also admit they’ve muted him on Twitter or stopped reading his game threads because the negativity is exhausting. And it is. That energy drags the entire fan base down.
Because fandom isn’t just about evaluating—it’s about participating. It’s about lifting each other up after losses and sharing in the wild, irrational hope that this year, this time, it’s going to be different. If you spend every game waiting to say “I told you so,” are you really with us? Or are you just waiting to be right?
Let’s not forget: there’s a history of this. Some fans lose perspective. They start thinking being “right” is more important than being loyal. They want to be the first to spot the flaw in a five-star QB or the weakness in a defensive scheme. They want to build a brand on skepticism. But in doing so, they separate themselves from the heartbeat of the fan base. They become spectators of their own program instead of believers in it.
In a rivalry like this, that kind of neutrality doesn’t fly. It doesn’t matter how much you say you root for the Buckeyes—if your energy matches more closely with maize and blue every time adversity strikes, people are going to start asking questions. And they should.
That’s why so many are starting to wonder if RationalBuck88—and others like him—are more Michigan than they realize. Maybe not outwardly. Maybe not even intentionally. But in tone, in emphasis, in admiration, the signs are there. And in this rivalry, signs matter. Language matters. Energy matters.
This isn’t a call for blind homerism. Critique has a place. But there’s a difference between constructive critique and passive-aggressive undermining. True Buckeye fans call for better because they believe in the greatness of the program—not because they’re secretly hoping it falls short so they can say they saw it coming.
And let’s be honest—if someone were on Michigan message boards using this same tone about Ohio State, they’d be called a Buckeye plant. A troll. A traitor. They wouldn’t be embraced for “fairness.” They’d be banned. Yet somehow, we in Buckeye Nation let this “rational” act slide as if it’s harmless. It’s not.
Because narratives matter. Attitudes matter. The constant undercurrent of “Michigan does this better” seeps into how we talk about our own team. It sets the tone for every podcast, every article, every debate. And when it comes from someone inside the fan base, it’s even more corrosive. It gives license for others to question, to doubt, to hedge.
This year is too important for that. With a reloaded roster, an elite receiver group, an evolving quarterback room, and an experienced defense, Ohio State has everything it needs to take back full control. But that mission can’t be accomplished with one foot in the door and one eye on Ann Arbor. The team is all in. The coaches are all in. The real fans need to be all in too.
So, RationalBuck88—if you’re reading this—it’s time to make a choice. If you believe in this team, then show it. Drop the passive admiration for the enemy. Stop the subtle digs. Let go of the contrarian act. Be a fan. A real one.
And if deep down, you find yourself rooting for Michigan “just a little,” maybe because you admire their scheme or culture or how they “play the right way”… then go. Cross the line. Wear the yellow and blue. But don’t pretend you’re one of us.
Because in this rivalry, you either bleed scarlet and gray or you don’t bleed at all.
