Ohio State fans left scratching their heads after several new gameday traditions miss the mark of improving atmosphere

Fans will also be introduced to THE Towel, a scarlet and gray rally towel designed to unite the crowd in support of the team. At the Texas game, 100,000 towels will be given out free to attendees, who are encouraged to bring them back for future games. The towels will also be available for purchase.

Brutus Buckeye, the beloved mascot, will make a distinctive entrance each week, adding to the pregame excitement, according to a university press release. Additionally, fans will earn a virtual Buckeye Leaf whenever the opposing team is forced into a false start or timeout due to the crowd's noise.

To amplify the student presence, Ohio State is consolidating its student sections. Block O North will relocate to join Block O South in the south end zone, creating a larger, more vibrant student cheering section.

The university is also streamlining in-game operations. Fewer sponsor segments will occur during media timeouts, and those that remain will take place on the entrance ramp rather than the field. Video board content will be revamped to prioritize real-time stats, scores, and replays, styled to reflect Ohio State’s unique identity.

Music will play a bigger role in energizing the stadium, with selections tailored to match the crowd’s energy. A new gameday anthem, “Ohio” by Columbus-based band Caamp, will be featured in the first half, accompanied by a video celebrating the state’s people and places.

Ohio State has planned three “color out” games to visually unify the stadium. The Texas opener will be a Scarlet the Shoe event, the Sept. 13 game against Ohio will feature a Helmet Stripe theme (gray with white and scarlet accents), and the Nov. 1 matchup against Penn State will be a Wear Black game.

The Ohio State Marching Band, TBDBITL, will relocate to the north end zone. While “Hang on Sloopy” remains a staple, its performance may shift to various points in the second half to align with the game’s momentum, moving away from its traditional third-quarter slot.

“Tradition at Ohio State is our North Star,” Bjork said in a statement. “As this process unfolded, we wanted to protect and honor our tradition while also evolving it with purpose, passion, and with Buckeye Nation at the heart of it.”

More details on Ohio State’s “Tradition Evolved” initiative can be found in the university’s full announcement.