U.S. Senator Ted Cruz attempted to score political points against Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed this week, but ended up drawing attention for something else entirely: appearing unfamiliar with one of college football’s most well-known rivalry traditions.
What Abdul El-Sayed Said About Ohio State Ahead of the 2026 Season
Abdul El-Sayed, 41, is the Democratic nominee in Michigan’s 2026 U.S. Senate election. With college football season approaching, El-Sayed expressed excitement about Michigan’s chances against Ohio State this year, saying he’s looking forward to football season and eager to see his team beat “Ohio” — using the shorthand nickname long associated with Michigan fans referring to their rival. The comment appeared to be a lighthearted attempt to connect with Michigan Wolverines fans as he campaigns ahead of the election.
Why Michigan Fans Call Ohio State Just “Ohio”
For anyone unfamiliar with the rivalry, referring to Ohio State simply as “Ohio” is a long-standing tradition among Michigan fans, players, and coaches — not a sign of confusion about which school they mean. The tradition runs in both directions: Ohio State fans, players, and coaches have their own version of the same custom, typically avoiding the word “Michigan” altogether and instead referring to their rival as “That Team Up North.” Both nicknames are widely recognized parts of one of college football’s most storied rivalries.
Ted Cruz’s Response Misses the Rivalry Context
Ted Cruz appeared to take El-Sayed’s use of “Ohio” as an actual mistake, using it as an opportunity to criticize the Michigan Senate candidate. The response, however, seemed to overlook the well-known rivalry shorthand that Michigan fans have used for years — a detail that quickly caught the attention of college football fans online.
College Football Fans React to Ted Cruz’s Ohio State-Michigan Mix-Up
The response from college football fans was swift and pointed. Several pointed out that Michigan fans have long used “Ohio” as their rivalry nickname for Ohio State, just as Buckeyes fans avoid saying “Michigan” in return. Others noted that Cruz, despite being a University of Michigan alum himself, seemed to be missing a piece of rivalry culture that most Michiganders would immediately recognize. The overall response painted the moment as a swing-and-miss attempt to dunk on El-Sayed that instead highlighted a gap in Cruz’s own college football knowledge.
When Do Ohio State and Michigan Play in 2026?
Regardless of the political back-and-forth, the actual rivalry will settle things on the field soon enough. Ohio State and Michigan are scheduled to meet in Columbus on Saturday, November 28, with the game set to air on FOX. As always, “The Game” is expected to carry major stakes for both programs as the 2026 regular season winds down.
Why This Ohio State-Michigan Moment Resonated Beyond Football
Rivalry nicknames like “Ohio” and “That Team Up North” have become such a deeply embedded part of college football culture that even a passing reference to them can spark a viral moment — political context or not. Whatever the outcome of Michigan’s Senate race, this week’s exchange served as a reminder of just how ingrained the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is in everyday language for fans of both programs.
