While the complexities of what is and isn't a rivalry are nuanced, there's no questioning that tensions are rising as in-state Ohio State and Cincinnati prepare to meet in the Horseshoe this Saturday evening underneath the lights.
Even with the Buckeyes double digit favorites, Cincinnati haven't had understandable reasons for confidence against the Buckeyes quite like this year in sometime, and this might mark UC coach Tommy Tuberville's best chance to get a marquee win he can use to sell his program.
Enter Cincinnati professor Steve Fuller.
Taking the forthcoming showdown to new heights, Fuller didn't exactly mince words when it came to what he thought about the number of fans who root for both schools currently enrolled in his class and prone to showing off their scarlet and gray:
GOAT PROFESSOR AT UC RT @fullsteve: If you wear Ohio State gear in my classroom this week, you will fail my course.
— Zev Sibony (@ZSibony) September 23, 2014
Fuller later deleted the tweet, but proved he had a sense of humor about the whole thing:
OK, Twitterverse, since my joke is going viral, how about this: If OSU beats UC, I'LL wear Ohio St. gear on UC's campus Tuesday. #LordHelpMe
— Steve Fuller (@fullsteve) September 23, 2014
Game on, professor.
He even went as far as to hand pick out the shirt he'll rock next Tuesday if the Buckeyes do what Vegas expects them to:
Think I might have found the one. http://t.co/AlJek21UB8 Now I just need a good home to donate it to when UC wins. :-)
— Steve Fuller (@fullsteve) September 23, 2014
Here's a better look at the shirt:
As the day went on, Professor Fuller even admitted he may have prejudged Ohio State fans a tiny bit:
I'll say this: Every Ohio St. fan has gotten the joke & tweeted me funny replies. Have I been wrong all these years?! pic.twitter.com/RmiDvqMsdj
— Steve Fuller (@fullsteve) September 24, 2014
Good on your sir. Now may the best team win.
(H/T SI's Extra Mustard)