Ohio State and Michigan are bitter rivals, with the latter having taken control of the series over the past four seasons. Emily Hayward, otherwise known as Brutus Buckeye, has had an up-close view of the conflict.
Brutus Buckeye Details Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry
Come November, those in Columbus aren’t very fond of anyone in Ann Arbor and vice versa. Fans donned in maize and blue aren’t accepting of anyone wearing Ohio State colors. That applies especially to Brutus Buckeye, the universally recognized Ohio State mascot.
Having dressed as Brutus for the past three seasons, Hayward knows just how much the rivalry means to both sides. Michigan Stadium was the most frenzied venue she’d traveled to with Ryan Day’s crew, she revealed to the Butler Eagle’s “Eye on Sports” podcast last week.
“Obviously, all in good fun, but a lot of the fan bases were awesome,” Hayward told Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams and co-hosts Brendan Howe and Derek Pyda. “The Team Up North was probably the most hostile environment that I dealt with.
“You’ve gotta understand the pride from both sides of that, but being suited up as one of the most iconic symbols of Ohio State, you’re bound to get some of that attention and everything. But, definitely a lot of hand gestures, some choice words. But, again, I signed up for it. It’s what we do.”
Pyda joked that Michigan fans were telling Hayward she was No. 1.
“Yes, that’s what I thought, too,” Hayward said.
Ohio State has lost each of its last four meetings with the Wolverines, including 30-24 (2023) and 42-27 (2021) decisions in Ann Arbor. Before the latter defeat, the Buckeyes had won 15 of 16 against Michigan and nine in a row.
“I actually haven’t seen them win (during) my time at Ohio State,” Hayward said. “Going into it, it’s one of the biggest rivalries in college sports. It really is. It’s like a cultural event.
“You go into the week, people are crossing out Ms, it’s the whole history, tradition of that. Game week comes, and it’s like you can cut the tension in the air with a knife. The atmosphere is electric. The game day itself was, again, the pride in the air from both sides of the field, and it’s like you wait all season for it.”
KEEP READING: How the Ohio State–Michigan Rivalry Shaped Modern College Football
The Buckeyes were heavily favored and sitting at No. 2 in the country last season when Sherrone Moore’s unranked Wolverines visited. Despite playing at home, Ohio State bowed by a 13-10 decision that propelled it to a College Football Playoff national championship.
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