I used to have them up there with scUM, Miami and USC amongst my most despised programs. Maybe I’m overly influenced by the unexpected positive treatment I received this past season during our opener, but I just don’t see them like I once did. I admire Gene Smith. He’s one of the most respected - and longest tenured - AD’s in college football. I like Urban Meyer, warts and all. Jim Tressel was a great coach who was completely screwed over.
Living in OH, I’ve come to know a lot of families with kids that are OSU athletes and they are overwhelmingly pleased with the athletic dept and their student-athlete support programs. I don’t view them as worse than any other major program. (Given that most major programs - other than Notre Dame of course - are filthy dirty)
Or maybe I’m just stupid and naive. That’s a real possibility.