Does Ohio State have an attendance problem?
Ohio State improved to 7-0 after holding off pesky Minnesota for a 30-14 win in Columbus on Saturday, but if under 101,000 people were there to see it, did it really happen?
According to Tony Gerdeman of theozone.net, the Buckeyes might have an attendance problem.
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“The reported attendance for Saturday’s game was 100,042. That number would have been the lowest since 2002, if not for a game against Rutgers five weeks earlier, which featured just 93,057 in attendance.
“The 93,057 was the lowest at Ohio Stadium since 1997, when the official capacity was 89,841. Of course, that still didn’t stop more people from showing up to a game against Bowling Green that year (93,151) than chose to witness this year’s Rutgers game in person.”
Gerdeman pointed out that the official capacity of Ohio Stadium dropped from 104,944 last year to 102,082 this year after new luxury suites were added during the offseason, but that shouldn’t have any impact on the overall numbers.
“But official capacity isn’t really the official capacity. The largest crowd in Ohio Stadium history was during the 2016 season when 110,045 crammed in to watch the Buckeyes defeat Michigan in double overtime. There were 5,000 people more than capacity in the stadium that day, and generally around 3,000-4,000 for most other games.
“In fact, the 10 largest crowds in Ohio Stadium history have come since the capacity was expanded to 104,944 in 2014.”
So what gives? Why are more people staying away from the stadium on game day?
“We all know the answers. The cost of going to a game is larger than it has ever been. The hassle is greater. The stadium is drunker. The view at home is better, cheaper, and easier, but admittedly, it is probably still just as drunk.
“… People are spoiled. Urban Meyer has spoiled them. Their living rooms, man caves, she sheds, and working cell towers have spoiled them. The ability to not have their ears blown off by overloud PA music has spoiled them as well.
“And maybe the College Football Playoffs have ruined them.”
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