Bobcat nation, this is an open invitation to Saturday's football game between Ohio and Bowling Green. Be at Peden Stadium by 2 p.m. and dress accordingly ' school colors or business casual is acceptable.
While it is utterly ridiculous that I have to make the lot of you who pass on Ohio football games feel invited, it seems necessary. There were approximately 9,000 empty seats at Peden Stadium for the Bobcats' home opener against Tennessee-Martin and that has me a bit discouraged.
I am sure everyone had excuses like, I'm tired after moving in
or Let's watch (college football team representing a school you do not go to) play instead. Maybe you refused to sit through the rain to watch Ohio play a Division I-AA team or had to leave to get to some kegger on High Street dude!
None of those excuses are going to work this week.
Saturday's weather is supposed to be gorgeous and weather.com is suggesting I check out my local event forecast to find something to get my butt outside. Last time I checked, football games qualify as a local event.
According to local television listings, Ohio State and many other powerhouse college football teams don't play until that night. Still, let me get this out in the open ' it is pathetic to skip a free (for students), live Division I-A football game to watch a game on TV.
And please, please, please! Don't leave the game early to drink. You can't wait until 5 p.m. to start kicking them back? My dad always used to tell me that self-control is keeping your head while those around you are losing theirs. While I hated hearing it back then, the man was right. Stay at the game unless you are leaving for your AA meeting.
Besides, there isn't anything this weekend that is going to be more exciting than what's happening Saturday at Peden between Ohio and Bowling Green.
With a victory, the Bobcats have a chance to bring their Mid-American Conference record to 2-0 for the first time since 1999. And the last time the Bobcats beat the Falcons was in 2001. Then some guy named Omar Jacobs showed up. I heard he was pretty good.
They've had some excellent teams in the past and they have a good team this year
senior defensive lineman Shane Yates said Monday. They've been an outstanding performer
and we have an opportunity to beat a good Bowling Green team.
That's what this game is for the Bobcats: an amazing opportunity. Ohio already defeated preseason favorite and MAC West beast Northern Illinois. A win over Bowling Green, a perennial powerhouse in the MAC East, would show that Ohio football is for real now.
I would like to think that everyone would want to be in the stands to witness that.
So spend four hours at Peden Stadium Saturday. ESPN2 is not going to be there, but they shouldn't have to be to pack our home stands to capacity. Bowling Green already has the challenge of beating one of the best Bobcat football teams in recent memory. Let's up the ante and be there screaming our heads off, too.
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Mark Shugar
