Kings of Columbus: Inside Ohio State's roller coaster season, and how fans' feelings have changed

This might be the most up-and-down season any fanbase has experienced in North American sports in modern times.
Landis wants to make a documentary.
On this Kings of Columbus, Doug and Bill run through a survey asking fans how they've felt over the course of this mesmerizing season, and how their views on the Michigan game, the playoff, and Ryan Day have evolved.
There's betrayal and elation, family connections and program love. It's been quite a ride, and before the national title game on Monday, relive it all with OSU fans who care about the Buckeyes as much as you do.
Thanks for joining Kings of Columbus on The Podcast.
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#OhioStateFootball #bigtenfootball #BigTen #buckeyesfootball #Buckeyes #THEPodcast

[@Heeezy33]

Who gives a shit what Michigan fans have to say? I can’t imagine letting them affect my view of a national title season. You play sports to win championships, not a singular regular season game. I don’t care about the Michigan loss if we are LEGITIMATE national champions at the end of the season.

[@quintonworden6318]

Exactly, they will troll no matter what but buckeye fans are the ones that give them the ability to live in our minds. Of course I want to beat them every chance possible but I also find it funny if OSU wins it all their biggest accomplishment will be forgotten by most as just a bad loss by a championship team. And there won't be any asterisks or investigations or firings attached to ours no matter how that situation plays out.

[@Dyjsong]

Agree. They cheat. Their points are invalid.

[@MagentsAreFun]

So long, college football.

[@aaronbux1]

Nobody was wrong to feel how we all felt after the Michigan game. Day was not meeting his player's talent. Now .. he is .. and the team is dominating. The circumstances changed (coaching), so feelings about Day are also allowed to change.

[@SamG91]

The lunatic fringe was right

[@adamsmith2758]

I’ve been a diehard OSU fan for 30 years. I can’t comprehend how people think beating UM is more important than winning a national championship. So yall would be ok beating UM and then UM going on to winning a ship? Give me the natty, it means you are the best. Not to mention OSU is 16-5 against UM in my adult life.. give me the NATTY!

[@RichardLawhorn-ms2cb]

I was plenty pissed after THE game. Looking back it wasn’t just that it was THE game. It was more about we played and so deep into the season. Now digesting all that, Natty trumps that loss. Day is the coach and leader. He has to walk the walk every day. This team is on a run like none other and it’s exciting to see. They have brought it and Monday is going to be fun. Nerve racking at times I’m sure. Can’t wait. Love our Buckeyes. O-H-I-O

[@yardvarkslawncare7866]

Exactly. More so how we coached. The poor scheme

[@RichardLawhorn-ms2cb]

@ absolutely. It was like an episode of The Twilight Zone. I sure don’t want a rerun of that episode either. I’m sure everyone would agree with that 🤣

[@leekfrmda8723]

These fans are nuts I hate losing to Michigan to but nothing is better than watching your team hoist up a national championship of the country not just winning the rivalry come on now

[@robdoesweather6758]

100%. And honestly the lows we felt after the Michigan loss to the highs we’ve felt in the playoffs makes the story just that much better. Yes Michigan fans will try to put an asterisk next to this but I don’t care. They can have their bragging rights

[@88keysPhilB]

I completely agree with you!! 💯

[@josephbarr1659]

I think it's fair to say that times are changing. We don't have to suffer through a depressing off season due to a loss to ttun now that we can make the playoffs despite that loss.

[@leekfrmda8723]

@@josephbarr1659 exactly of course the game against TTUN is important but when we almost beat Georgia in 2022 with a walkoff field goal I forgot all about Michigan so I mean times are changing but we’re simply not use to this I am 26 and have seen the buckeyes win what 20 out of the last 26 lol so I get it but we have to remember what we play sports for and it’s no win a championship not just beat your rival

[@kevinfry1850]

I think for 95 percent of fans or more a natty trumps the michigan result. The circumstances were just so unique this year and allowed for this and the turnaround itself is almost mysterious.

[@markthompson28]

We are about to play for the best version of a college football championship EVER. Why are we talking about TTUN? I hated them before 11/30. I hate them today and I will hate them tomorrow. But the reality is they are not as important as they think they are….or as important as some OSU fans make them feel. Win or lose on Monday, those fans better get ready because they are gonna start yapping again come Tuesday. GO BUCKS!

[@chubbawubbahubb24]

I agree I'm tired of giving a shit about michigan! Who cares we're about to win a natty they are at home. But neither of these guys are buckeye fans dunno why they keep bringing it up!

[@bucksncat1997]

All the fans bitching about Michigan fans getting to talk shit about winning the game are such babies. The goal is to win the natty. If Michigan fans talk shit throw your national champion shirt in their face and ask where their ring is. Does it bother anyone when Virginia Tech fans talk about 2014? No so why tf do yall care about Michigan fans saying anything

[@Heeezy33]

I have to believe that is a small minority who lets UM fans affect them. But it is pretty pathetic on both sides

[@luckyrocks1]

As a life long, born and raised Ohio State fan, 67-years young. I can tell you my biggest emotion after the game this year was feeling sorry for coach Day. Then trying to understand why they were trying to play so conservative. I am on board with the Michigan game not being as important anymore as long as we win the Natty!

[@masonmcguire3520]

Great show fellas!! Have a good and safe night!!

[@RKA91]

Thanks guys🎉 GO FREAKING BUCKS😤💯

[@mr.spray85]

“My Neighbor is Nuts: The Story of America” would be a good book title 😂

[@BuccoDan72]

This is when you guys are at your best. Nobody gauges the state of the program, how the fans feel, and what the fans are going through better than you guys. Unbelievable content.

[@markstandohar5977]

“Fan” is an abbreviation for “Fanatic” - it is what it is - it’s OK to be Passionate about your Hobbies & Interests that can offer an escape from everyday life and obligations‼️#GoBucks 🅾️ 🙏🏼 🏈

[@timbateman6767]

Minor foot print is correct. Move the game to the middle of the season

[@quintonworden6318]

I never want to lose to michigan as a buckeye fan but if there ever was a time to do so it is in this current landscape of CFB where teams can earn redemption in the post season. Part of why the rivalry became what it is was that more often than not it ended any title hopes for the losing team. I think michigan fans are lashing out so loudly to remind us of that loss because they know their teams biggest accomplishment of the season will likely be remembered by anyone not directly involved as just a flukey upset over the eventual champion. Ttun fans only have as much power as people give them, so dont let the trolling get to you. We dont actually owe them the satisfaction of treating a natty as the lesser accomplishment.

[@cf32191]

This season is a classic redemption story. Like it or not, the ttun game happened, but without we are not where we are now. You learn from your mistakes get back on the horse and try again. I, for one, am happy for where we are, even given the lows we’ve had to endure to get here.

[@jdunk2010]

It would be fantastic to have common fans on the show for a series that tackles the comparison of fans who feel TTUN means more or a nati. Whether video or audio.

[@chrisruskin6189]

I’ve gotta comment on the guy who talked about hating Day and how if Day showed loved than Ohio state fans would love him despite finishing the sentence with “beat Michigan first” I thinks it’s wrong to blame Day for having resentment when his family has received death threats and people have loudly called for him to fired and vilified him four 4 years in a row. Does that mean he gets off free for falling short? No. But to act like there haven’t been parts of this fan base who have crossed the line in very personal extreme ways is incorrect. Love goes both ways in hard times and to act like this fan base has supported him in meaningful ways after these losses would be categorically false.

[@MagentsAreFun]

A fan group should not be defined by the 0.00001% of insane people in it. Every fan group has those.

[@bucksncat1997]

From Jack’s article today “I remember he was telling us about how, after one of our losses to The Team Up North, he had to take his son and his daughters out of school - because not only were kids saying stuff about them and their dad and how they need to leave town and they’re not welcome here, but actual teachers were as well.” That guy can eat it. Day’s family was so attacked his kids had to be pulled out of class. It should be Woody vs the World when that shit happens

[@seeknayog7262]

The problem is.... previously (before this year)..if you didnt do one (beat Mich), your chances of even getting to the playoffs was extremely low. This is a new world where one or the other can happen more often.

[@bryantjames6038]

The fans should absolutely apologize for their behavior. Sending death threats to players, harassing Ryan Days wife and kids is awful. Yes those people overreacted and need to go away

[@MagentsAreFun]

None of the 0.0001% of fans that do that kind of thing are watching this show.

[@JordanDSapp]

Mich / Ohio st fans are gonna absolutely short circuit when, down the road, we split the 2 times we play in one season.

[@13kimosabi13]

It’s been an almost complete pendulum swing in reality => First, the underwhelming and underperforming and underachieving of the regular season………to the complete shift of finally playing to our potential, with our talent/physicality/execution meeting expectations and looking invincible against other elite teams/programs. The rekindled hope and optimism that a handful of coaches and players will continue to exhibit their normal Andy Taylor personas for one more game versus their latent Barney Fife showing up and ruining things yet once again. Still and always…..Go Bucks !!!

[@chrishall4779]

Respectfully I love the show but why TF are we still talking so much about TTUN game when we’re days away from the natty? We’ve talked about TTUN game enough

[@parker2066]

7:47 that guy needs some therapy and he needs to let his sons know that showing emotion is normal and healthy.

[@Barefootseal_66]

Yeaahhh I don’t know if I’d go there. I don’t judge how the veterans handle their emotions dude. They been through some stuff. Seems to me it’s a win if they are getting through life without self destructing ❤❤. Take care dude!! Go BUCKS!!!

[@parker2066]

@ I’m also a veteran. The point is that teaching young men, by example or otherwise, not to express emotion can be bad for them long term.

[@MovingBuck]

It’s just more like the pros! When Kansas City wins a Super Bowl, but loses to their rival the Raiders during the season…NO ONE CARES!

[@bobwoodssr.4683]

Hey Guys, Congrats on this podcast. I also listen to "others" and they all seem to be in unison in covering for Day etc. and dismissing the TCUN LOSS and not wanting to sully the mood of chasing the NC. THE LOSS will always be a part of this NC whether we win it or not. I think the real truth of THE LOSS will come out as time passes. You chose to discuss it and you did a great job. My take is... Day was an inexperienced asst. coach and for years has been a "millionaire" trainee HC and is just now catching up. I guess we had to be patient until now. Sorry, I'm not a Day guy, but I do hope we win Monday...GO BUCKS!

[@Punksarepunk]

As far as my own personal opinion goes regarding The Game vs Natty is both matter a whole lot and what that means is if we can't get both I'd much rather get one than neither. If we were to win on Monday it will not feel hollow to me at all, especially considering who the team had to play on the way there. But if we lost on Monday it would sting just a little bit more because we lost Nov 30 as well. Everybody remembers how disappointed they felt in 2019 after the Clemson loss, but everybody also remembers Justin coming back from injury and scoring a TD in that stadium. That did not make the Clemson loss less painful, but it still gave us something to look back on fondly. More intense than that is the 2015 season. The first thing that comes up on most people's minds from that year isn't winning The Game, it's losing in heartbreaking fashion to MSU and missing an opportunity to go back to back. That being said had we also lost The Game that season would be widely considered to be one of the most rage inducing in program history. I also think circumstance plays into it as well. It's not just that the 2015 win was overshadowed by the loss to MSU, it's also overshadowed by the overall win streak we had been on (and frankly it doesn't stand out as much as Jones coming in in 2014, the walk off in 2016, Haskins off the bench 2017, blowing them out and knocking them out of the playoffs 2018, Fields thing from earlier.) The reverse of that applies here. The Game is already important, and it's made even more important by the fact that we're in a losing streak. If this was a blip, or if we routinely traded wins like USC/UCLA (since 2012 USC won 7 UCLA won 6, last back to back was 2019/20) the importance of The Game doesn't diminish but the conversation would be a lot more calm/the pill would be easier to swallow.

[@seeknayog7262]

Idea on roller coaster season. Is there data on relationships in general? What strengthens a relationship? Going through hardship and coming out the other end is one I can think of. What if you found and used data on normal person to person relationships and see how it relates to sports. OR Is there data on drugs...Is the same dose more powerful if a person is at a lower level to start? For example, does anti depressants (uppers) do more if a person is starting at a lower depressed level?

[@aaronbux1]

Mike Vrabel? WHY?! Because he's a Buckeye legacy? Because he's a tough guy? An overall record of 54 - 45 and being bounced from the playoffs early (TWO TIMES, even though favored) in the pros .. does not equate to great success as the OSU head coach. I do not get this. If anyone .. Dan Lanning. Otherwise, I hope Ryan Day sticks around for another 15 or 20.

[@MetaMech]

Really excited, but because of the Michigan loss, it just about means nothing to me if Ohio State doesn't cap it off on Monday.

[@Cshort11]

Sign me up for an interview for the KoC documentary 😂

[@lisascherer527]

Though not as raw, I find myself experiencing a greater degree of frustration at the game plan against TTUN-we had a hint of this when we played Nebraska. There will always be execution errors but we failed to play to our strengths but played instead to TTUN strengths and because Day did not manage his own or team’s emotions.

[@aaronbux1]

How about instead of asking that we destroy everyone, we simply ask that the team be prepared enough to play up to the potential of the elite talent? If another good team shows up and gives us a good game and maybe even wins, then so be it. But the mantra of Ryan Day should ALWAYS be .. If we're going down, we're going down swinging.

[@alphapapa5383]

2016 was an epic win against CUN. That playoff we got a bid when we shouldn't have (PSU were B1G champs and didnt go), and lost 31-0. That season is an ugly, smudge mark, utter failure because of hkw bad that loss was. I dont care at all, and would have traded, the ot win against CUN for a natty over Clemson and Bama. Period.

[@josephgamble1]

I cried watching Sawyer scoop and score and tear up just thinking about it today. Go bucks.

[@larryparmer9886]

I don't for give the Michigan game. That game plan was bad. No excuse for that game the way it was played. Ryan Day can do it Ryan just needs to let it go on that team.

[@Butler_Buck]

The team didn't play well most games in the regular season. The OL issues were a big deal. No excuse for losing The Game, but win on Monday night, and most of us will still be happy. This really is a new era. This was the year that was supposed to make up for The Game being cancelled in 2020, and the cheating in 2021-2023. That didn't happen and can't happen now.

[@michaelhunyadi5087]

The contrast is very true for me too. I believe that probably this run is balm for that wound. feel that the loss had multiple ramifications but would stop short of saying it was necessary.

[@robdoesweather6758]

Might’ve been a catalyst that allowed this team to do what’s it’s done in the playoffs thus far. Not sure how things go if they end up beating Michigan, playing Oregon in the big ten championship and so on. If this path was the requirement for us to get there in the end, then I’m all for it

[@masonmcguire3520]

Thank you for you're service sir in Iraq!!

[@lisascherer527]

Doug and Bill, it was not necessary for the team as talent always there but honestly think it was necessary step for Day’s growth as he had to learn the hard lesson to not allow his emotions to rule him, cloud his judgment, and produce a poor game plan

[@kurtfirestone2761]

What's the 12-man playoffs I think they should do away with conference championships

[@lisascherer527]

I find it interesting that no one bemoaning lack of Big 10 championship. I would rather beat TTUN and then go to playoffs, at least as currently structured. I don’t want eliminate the Big 10 championship but let’s better reward the winner-case in point, Oregon

[@marycooley4943]

You are so wrong on age group... just because I graduated in 80s doesn't mean I am ignorant. The loss doesn’t matter 1 bit this season and this season alone. Each season will be different.. Must win enough games to get in. That may be 10 or 11...likely never require 12

[@jrdean74]

If we win the natty that will be 3 this century to Michigan’s 1 and 18-6 against them. In looking at the big picture il take that all day long

[@kevinfry1850]

I hope if they win we learn more about this alleged player called meeting.

[@kipbigley9815]

If we didn’t lose to TTUN this year more people would have voted for ”beating TTUN is more important than Natty.” But because we lost and the Natty is the only hardware left for us, I think it affected the voting tbh.

[@lisascherer527]

Doug, I honestly believe that Day did hold back against TTUN because they had a mediocre record and Day thought he could win without revealing too much to Dan Lanning who he expected to see in the Big 10 championship.

[@timbateman6767]

So in other words as long as you win. Wow

[@MasonMcguire-e4g]

Well yeah that's what we're here to do YOU WIN AND IF YOU DONT YOU WILL HEWR ABOUT IT!! ITS SPORTS YOUR HIRED TO WIN!!

[@marycooley4943]

It ( the Loss) is a minor foot note to me already.

[@Smahta_Dhenyu]

So how would y'all as a fan base feel if Day won this natty but lost again to michigan. Then y'all fire him and he goes on to a team like A&M, taking some key loyal players with him, and wins 3 more nattys, and y'alls new coach can beat michigan but cant win in the playoff. Will it still been worth getting rid of Day? What if coaches and players like Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith follow Day out the door? How bout if y'all dont lose again to Michigan but they go on to win multiple nattys while y'all keep getting bounced out the playoff. Do yall really think michigan fans will care bout losing to osu if it means they can stack nattys? Y'all wanna keep saying outsiders dont get it, but yall are nuts to give ya rival that much power over you. They really do own y'all.

[@Edward_USMC13]

Pretty disappointed in bill and Doug for openly applauding anyone who would be unhinged enough to make a full ass Journal about the OSU season I am as die hard as anybody, but that is seriously every indicator of a person who lives an incredibly sad existence

[@LKeithG]

I don't think the result of the Michigan game was because of a slow play strategy for the entire season. Nor do I think it was because the coaching staff undervalued the game. I believe that the result of the Michigan game was because Ryan Day and because of him his staff and because of the staff is players have a mental block / Michigan problem. The things that make Ohio State successful during any particular part of any particular season is well known to the coaching staff. Unfortunately, when Michigan rolls around the coaching staff throws that all out and decides to implement a Michigan game plan. How someone as smart as Ryan Day can make such pathetic mistake is beyond me. I guess to be charitable it's just because the pressure of the Michigan game seeps into his being and causes a tilt toward irrationality. Michigan is not filled with super beings. Prepare for the game both physically and psychologically as if it were just another important game and I think we all would be better off.

[@travisshuttleworth630]

O-H!!!!

[@kurtfirestone2761]

I think with the Rivalry it is going to not be as important with a 12 man because we do not need to be Michigan to make the championship no as we did when we had east/west conf

[@GOBUCKEYES1000]

most of the fanbase seems way too cocky going into monday

[@marycooley4943]

NFL is more stressful

[@ryany9399]

Ohio St fans have to be the most ungrateful fan base in college football 😂

[@timbateman6767]

Man these fans really think they have that power

[@avoiceinthechoir5791]

Coach Day blames the two losses this past season on player execution. But Buckeye fans place the blame on poor coaching. Because of this, coach Day's hot seat remains warm from the perspective of Buckeye fans.

[@jdburch]

A “sharing feelings” episode. Just gross.

[@jdburch]

The 55% Natty is most impost/5% Michigan/40% they are equal do not accurately reflect OSU fans. I quit being a texter because of this.

[@jdburch]

Others can call me whatever they want but if we go on to win this National Championship it will be somewhat (I don’t know how much yet) diminished because of the Michigan loss. Just how I feel.

[@bucksncat1997]

So 1942, 1957, 1961, 1970, & 2014 are all diminished too right?

[@jdburch]

@ Ohio State was 5-0 vs. Michigan in those 5 seasons. It’s the MICHIGAN loss that diminishes it not a an opening game loss to TCU.

[@bucksncat1997]

@@jdburchWhy? Because of some bullshit emotional nonsense that crybabies have? National Championships are National Championships. If a loss in that season makes it mean less then you’re a shit fan