Ohio StatefFootball home game days will hold a very limited number of guests, while other game-day traditions will be absent. It’s a change.
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a really difficult year. The global pandemic has affected every part of life, including college football and the Ohio State football program. From having a Big Ten only schedule, to a complete cancelation, and back to an even slimmer conference only schedule, you can bet Saturday at Ohio Stadium is going to look a whole lot different than what we’ve been accustomed to.
The Ohio State Athletic department released its 2020 “game day operations” on Monday. Some of which we expected… some we did not.
First, we knew that the ‘Shoe was going to look different as the Big Ten decided to not allow any fans in the stands. Trying to make a 100,000 plus seat stadium not look baren will be a tough task. The Athletic department decided to “put a lil you in the ‘shoe”. For a small price, you can have a personalized cardboard cutout sitting in A deck.
Ohio State did say there will be a few actual, breathing humans in the bleachers as it has allotted 656 seats for family of OSU players and coaches, as well as 400 spots for the opposing team. Total capacity will be capped at 1,600 which includes ushers, concession workers, etc… Guests will be physically distanced across 10 A deck sections and all will be required to wear face masks. So while there will be a few live faces in the stands, it won’t be what you’ve been seeing down south in SEC stadiums.
What about sounds in the stadium? Crowd noise? The band? I’m glad you asked. A cavernous stadium such as the Horseshoe will feel odd without some noise. The Big Ten is providing each school with “crowd noise murmur” with the level going no higher than 70 decibels during play but can go up to 90 decibels during celebration moments.
Here’s the bad news though, no TBDBITL. What’s college football without the band striking up the fight song after a score? An official release from the athletic department states:
“The Ohio State Marching Band will not perform at games this year, nor will it conduct its traditional “skull session” at St. John Arena before games. However, fans can watch newly recorded pregame and halftime performances by the Marching Band on the Scarlet Saturday second-screen stream.”
Scarlet Saturday? Each home game Saturday, Buckeye fans will be encouraged to experience and enjoy a slice of game day through a Scarlet Saturday production, a live-streamed second-screen experience from inside Ohio Stadium, and that will also include pre-recorded band performances. Find out more about how to experience Scarlet Saturday here.
Along with no OSU Marching Band, there will be no cheerleaders, no Brutus, no team walk, and no tailgating.
However, there is some hope. Athletic Director Gene Smith says that the Big Ten will re-evaluate its decision to allow fans on a week to week basis. Which means Ohio Stadium could open up in the weeks to come.
I know it’s not going to look the same Buckeye fans and it does feel like the Big Ten is going well above what is necessary. But let’s be thankful we’re even having a season at all. Be smart. Be safe. And Go Bucks!
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