🧾 BUCKEYE BLING: THE SHOE GETTIN’ A FACELIFT FOR 2025

The Horseshoe is gettin’ loud, rowdy, and dressed to kill.

Ohio State just dropped a full menu of upgrades aimed at making Saturdays in Columbus feel less like a “please sit quietly and clap” seminar and more like a full-blown college football fever dream.

You want fireworks? They got ‘em.
Victory bell? Ringin’.
Towels? Wavin’.
Archie Griffin? Ringin’ the damn bell himself like a king returning from war.

It’s showtime in the Shoe.

🔔 THE BELL TOLLS… FOR YOUR DEFENSE

First up: that old victory bell?
Yeah, she’s coming out of retirement. Positioned in the southeast tower of the stadium like a watchful god of gridiron pain, that bell’s now getting rung pre-game, on third downs, and post-win.

And who’s kicking off the new bell era?
Freakin’ Archie Griffin.
The two-time Heisman legend will personally ring it before Ohio State’s monster opener against Texas on Aug. 30 — a top-of-the-polls clash that might cause the state of Ohio to stop functioning for 24 hours.

It’s also the 50th anniversary of Archie’s second Heisman. So yeah, kind of a big deal.

🎆 SENSORY OVERLOAD: THE SHOE GOES FULL BROADWAY

This ain’t your grandpa’s GameDay script anymore.

• Fireworks when the Buckeyes take the field? Already happening.
• Custom soundtrack featuring “Ohio” by Caamp? Buckeye folk meets stadium energy.
• South scoreboard getting juiced with more video content? Visuals incoming.
• Fewer awkward on-field presentations? Finally.

Also, fans for the Texas game are getting custom towels to turn the Shoe into a swirling scarlet storm. It’s gonna look like a cult ritual — the good kind.

🎭 THEME GAMES & VIBES

Ohio State’s locking in three theme games this year:

• Scarlet Out vs. Texas — First game. Massive stakes. Blood red in the stands.
• Blackout vs. Penn State (Nov. 1) — Prepare to feel the Shoe’s evil twin energy.
• One more to be announced. Suspense, baby.

🥁 MARCHING BAND MOVES & LUXURY SUITE FLEXES

Couple more nuggets:

• The band’s movin’ back to the north end, pre-reno style. Pure vibes.
• And next year? Field-level suites in the south stands. For the rich folks who wanna feel like they’re in the huddle. Champagne, turf pellets, and all.

🎙️ FINAL TAKE: THE SHOE’S ABOUT TO SNAP

Ohio State’s not just hosting football games anymore. They’re throwing live-action rituals.
They’ve weaponized tradition. Amplified the noise. And made sure every damn third down hits like a boss fight.

Texas on Aug. 30 is the first test.
If you’re going? Hydrate.
If you’re not? Pray your TV speakers survive.