I fucking hate it when people say this. I am an alumni of The Ohio State University, and am damn proud of it. I love OSU, period. I love the tradition and history, the feeling of being part of something special, and I had a great time while I was there. This is why I may defend it a bit too strongly (in your eyes). As far as hating scUM, I have embraced the rivalry, and when it comes to competition between us and them, I don't like the weasels. Do I HATE all of them? No. Hell, I grew up in Michigan, not too far from ann arbor.
As far as living vicariously through our football team, that's just a bullshit statement by someone who doesn't get it. I have no need to live through anyone else- I've got a challenging, high-paying job, a nice house, a great wife; I can't really complain (and I'm not a fat, bald couch-slug, either). Ohio State, and OSU football is a part of me- it always will be. I enjoy living MY life cheering for the Buckeyes. It means a hell of a lot to me; you may someday understand that, but you obviously don't get it yet.
If you can't understand that, and your feelings are so easily bruised that you're not having fun here, then beat it.