For years, Ohio State has made a habit of taking subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) jabs at its fiercest rival, the Michigan Wolverines. From wandering around the Columbus campus and covering every letter “M” in sight, to outright refusing to say “Michigan”—opting instead for nicknames like “The Team Up North” or simply “TTUN“—the Buckeyes have long embraced these gestures as part of the rivalry. Supposedly, these antics are meant to show dominance or superiority over their northern foe. But in reality, they often come off as juvenile and performative, especially when Ohio State doesn’t always follow through with the same energy or consistency.
Still, the Buckeyes aren’t backing down. Their latest attempt at trolling came in the form of a social media post promoting next season’s rivalry game. The official Ohio State account posted a graphic announcing that their annual clash with Michigan will be broadcast on FOX—but rather than name their opponent outright, the graphic simply read “Ohio State vs TUN.”
This ongoing refusal to use the word “Michigan” is almost laughable at this point. Hearing adults refer to one of the most storied programs in college football as “TUN” feels more like something out of a cult than a football rivalry. Add in the tradition of physically taping over the letter “M” across the city of Columbus, and it all starts to feel like an over-the-top spectacle.
And yet, this kind of intensity is exactly what makes the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry the most passionate in all of sports. The fanbases are relentless, deeply loyal, and fully bought in. Once again, the two teams will face off in the final week of the regular season, this time in Ann Arbor. And while Ohio State continues its quirky campaign to never say “Michigan,” the Wolverines are focused on a different streak—making it five straight wins over the Buckeyes this November.
