It always comes back to "The Game," doesn't it?
On Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance formally accepted the party nomination for vice president, cementing his status as former President Donald Trump's running mate for the 2024 election. In introducing himself to a wider audience, the 39-year-old made sure to highlight his Buckeye State roots.
"My name is JD Vance, from the great state of Ohio," he proudly declared at the start of his acceptance speech.
Fittingly speaking in the heart of Big Ten Country, Vance's words brought cheers from the crowd, most notably those from his native state. Perhaps predictably, the Ohio delegation quickly began the customary "O-H-I-O!" chant, with Vance egging them on and joining in.
But ever the politician, Vance also recognized how this could make things a little... awkward...
"You guys, we've got to chill with the Ohio love," he noted. "We've got to win Michigan too here."
Yes, even in the world of presidential politics, college football's greatest rivalry can't escape the spotlight.
With the Rust Belt primed to once again play a critical role in November, the Trump campaign hopes Vance's deep roots in the region can connect with potential swing voters. However, it's also safe to assume they're hoping his status as a Buckeye won't be a turn-off to Wolverine fans, especially since "That State Up North" barely broke for incumbent President Joe Biden in 2020.
For you see, Vance isn't just a Buckeye by birth — his heart truly bleeds Scarlet and Gray, having earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State in 2009.
And even with Michigan's electoral votes hanging in the balance, he had to let the world know he is, indeed, a proud alum.
"I left the Marines after four years and went to THE Ohio State University," he said later in the speech. He would then admit, "I'm sorry, Michigan. I had to get that in there."
The Ohio delegates continued to erupt in "O-H-I-O!" cheers. Conversely, the Michiganders began to boo, before eventually chiming in with their own chants of "Let's Go Blue!"
"Come on, come on," Vance laughed. "We've had enough political violence."
And so this lighthearted GOP-on-GOP kerfuffle was quickly diffused, though at least now OSU rooters know where Vance's true loyalties lie. It's also worth noting the Buckeyes never lost to the Wolverines during his four years in college.
At least Vance can take solace in the fact that he didn't make the same mistake as John Kerry, who while running for president in 2004 declared, "I just go for Buckeye football" ... before suddenly realizing he was campaigning in Taylor, Michigan.
Skip to 39:00 and prepare to cringe.
Now, we're not saying that gaffe cost Kerry the election, but Ohio did end up swinging for George W. Bush, so perhaps the Scarlet and Gray faithful weren't too please by his abrupt "flip-flop."
All this begs the question: Can presidential politics actually impact the outcome of "The Game"? Well, we decided to crunch the numbers.
Though Ohio State and Michigan first met on the football field in 1897, their first matchup during a presidential election year didn't occur until 1900, when Republican (and Ohio native) William McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan. Unfortunately, this initial test didn't tell us much, since that season's edition of the rivalry ended in a 0-0 tie.
Since that showdown, the Buckeyes and Wolverines have faced off 29 times during the same year as a U.S. presidential election. In those games, we found that when a Republican wins the White House, Ohio State's record is above .500 at 8-7-1. However, when the Democratic candidate wins, that mark slips to 5-7-1.
What does this all mean? Well, perhaps Vance can better convince his fellow native sons and daughters to get to the polls this November, hoping a Trump victory can get the Buckeyes back in the win column against the Maize and Blue. Alas, this could also be at his own peril, for we're sure Michigan wouldn't be too happy ceding the high ground in "The Game."
On the flip side, it's also possible this could be a campaign pitch for Joe Biden and the Democrats in "That State Up North." After all, since he took office in January of 2021, Michigan is 3-0 against Ohio State.
Of course, we all know elections have no impact on the outcome of sporting events. We need to use logic here, folks: With the choices we make at the polls having such an effect on our lives, this should not (repeat: SHOULD NOT) factor into who you vote for.
Then again, when has "logic" ever truly factored into "The Game"? Looks like it's up to Buckeye and Wolverine fans to truly decide.