In 1932, Ohio State music director Eugene J. Weigel decided he wanted to enhance the Buckeye band’s performance. By having members completely memorize music before each week’s game, Weigel felt that the bandsmen could concentrate more on the marching maneuvers without sacrificing the music.

Weigel then scheduled a final rehearsal of the music before game time so the band could play and think through the show one last time – one last “Skull Session.”

I never served in the military.

In fact, my exposure to the armed forces has largely been limited to my childhood facination with General George S. Patton (the movie, Patton, was my first R-rated movie), and dozens of movies like The Dirty Dozen, Midway, and the Longest Day.

While I cannot profess to understand what it is like to be under fire, or have my fate rest in the hands of others, going to an away game, at least at some level, has a similar feel.

You are surrounded.

In Columbus, we will be out-numbered in Ohio Stadium by a ratio of about 25-1. The stadium holds over 100,000 fans, and while the Buffs did sell out their allotment of 4,000 seats, we will definitely be in enemy territory.

“T.I.P.S.” for the 15-point underdog Buffs as they head off for the Horseshoe to face Ohio State