Walk into a bar in Athens, Ohio, and mention the "real" Ohio university. You’ll probably get a smirk or a very long lecture about 1804. Walk into a bar in Columbus and do the same? Most people will just assume you’re talking about the Buckeyes and move on with their day.
That’s the core of the ohio state versus ohio dynamic. It is a relationship defined by one side being hyper-aware of the other's existence while the other side barely notices they’re in a fight. It’s the "Original Ohio" against the "Big One."
Honestly, if you look at the scoreboard, it’s not much of a contest. But rivalries aren’t always about the final score. Sometimes they’re about trademarks, 150-year-old grudges, and a mascot getting tackled in the middle of a field.
The Most One-Sided "Rivalry" in the Midwest?
Let's be real: on paper, this shouldn't be a headline-grabber. Ohio State is a blue-blood juggernaut with a budget that could probably fund a small nation. Ohio University is a Mid-American Conference (MAC) staple with a beautiful, brick-heavy campus and a reputation for being the best party school in the state.
They don't play often. When they do, it’s usually a "paycheck game" where the Bobcats head up US-33 to Columbus, collect a seven-figure check for their athletic department, and take a beating.
The last time they met, on September 13, 2025, followed that exact script. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 1 in the country at the time, sleepwalked through a bit of the first half before Julian Sayin started carving up the Bobcats' secondary. It ended 37-9. Before that? You have to go back to 2010 (a 43-7 blowout) or 2008, which was actually the closest the Bobcats ever came to the unthinkable.
In 2008, Ohio University actually led 14-12 heading into the fourth quarter. Ohio Stadium was dead silent. You could feel the collective panic of 100,000 people realizing they might lose to a MAC team. But then Ohio State did what they do—they wore them down and escaped with a 26-14 win.
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The all-time football record? It’s 7-0 in favor of Ohio State. Actually, make that 8-0 if you count the 2025 game. Some books show different numbers because of vacated wins, but the truth remains: the Bobcats have never actually beaten the Buckeyes on the gridiron.
The Mascot Tackle Heard 'Round the World
If there is one moment that defines ohio state versus ohio for the modern era, it happened on September 18, 2010.
Most pre-game mascot antics are scripted. This wasn't. As Brutus Buckeye was leading the team out onto the field, the Ohio University mascot, Rufus the Bobcat, went rogue. The guy in the suit, a student named Brandon Hanning, had literally planned this for a year. He didn't just want to wave; he wanted to take Brutus down.
Rufus sprinted across the turf and leveled Brutus with a flying tackle.
It was hilarious. It was chaotic. It was also a massive HR nightmare. Hanning was eventually banned from the athletic department, but in Athens, he became a local legend. It perfectly captured the Bobcat spirit: We might not win the game, but we’re going to make sure you remember we were here.
The Battle of the "Ohio" Name
This isn’t just about sports. It’s legal.
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Back in 1997, Ohio State tried to trademark the word "Ohio" for use on its athletic apparel. This went over about as well as a lead balloon in Athens. Ohio University, founded in 1804 (66 years before Ohio State even existed), rightfully pointed out that they were the "original" Ohio.
The legal battle was petty and wonderful. Ohio University supporters started wearing shirts that said "Ohio University: Founded 1804. Ohio State: Founded 1870. You do the math."
Eventually, they reached a settlement where both schools can use the word, but the tension never really left. Even today, you’ll see Ohio University fans insist on referring to the Columbus school as "OSUM" (Ohio State University at Marysville... or other less polite variations) or simply "the school up the road."
Comparing the Two Cultures
If you’re choosing between these two schools, you’re looking at two completely different worlds.
Ohio State (The Juggernaut)
- Location: Columbus (Huge city, urban campus).
- Vibe: Professional, fast-paced, massive.
- Academics: R1 research powerhouse. If you want to study high-level engineering or medicine, this is the spot.
- Sports: Everything is a national championship or bust.
Ohio University (The Original)
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- Location: Athens (Small town, Appalachian foothills).
- Vibe: Tight-knit, historic, brick everything.
- Academics: Nationally renowned for Journalism (Scripps) and Communications.
- Sports: The "Post-Game" is often more important than the game itself. Halloween in Athens is a state-wide event.
Why the Gap Exists
Why hasn't Ohio University ever caught up? It’s basically the way the American university system was designed. As a land-grant institution, Ohio State was positioned to grow with the industrial and population boom of Columbus.
Meanwhile, Ohio University remained the soulful, liberal arts-leaning heart of Southeast Ohio. It’s an R2 research institution, which is great, but it doesn't have the $1 billion annual research budget that the Buckeyes flaunt.
In basketball, the gap is much smaller. The Bobcats have actually had some decent success against high-major teams in the NCAA tournament (remember the 2012 Sweet 16 run?). But in football, the resource gap is just too wide to bridge. When you have 105,000 seats versus 24,000 seats, the math eventually wins.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re following the ohio state versus ohio saga, don't expect a yearly matchup. The Buckeyes are moving into a new era of the Big Ten where they have to play teams like Oregon, USC, and Washington. Their non-conference schedule is getting tighter.
However, these games are vital for the state's economy. When the Bobcats play in Columbus, the money stays in Ohio. It supports local vendors and gives smaller-town athletes a chance to play on the biggest stage in the world.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Students:
- For Students: If you want the "big city" life and name recognition that carries weight globally, Ohio State is the move. If you want a classic "college town" experience where the professors actually know your name by week two, Athens is unbeatable.
- For Bettors: When these two play, don't look at the money line—it's useless. Look at the spread. Ohio University often "covers" because Ohio State tends to pull their starters early in the third quarter to avoid injuries before Big Ten play.
- For History Buffs: Visit the Ohio University campus in the fall. It’s arguably the most beautiful campus in the United States, and the history of the Northwest Ordinance (which led to the school's founding) is genuinely fascinating.
The rivalry might be lopsided, but the pride on both sides is very real. Ohio State might own the scoreboard, but Ohio University owns the history books. And as any Bobcat will tell you, they were here first.