That was the first time I got to go The Game. My dad promised me as a kid we would get tickets my senior year of high school and he bought them when both teams were ranked well outside of the top 10 right when they went on sale, I think for like $50 a piece. I remember people were offering $2,000+ per ticket when that week hit and my dad said if you want we can sell them and you can take that money to spend when you go to Ohio State.
To which, I instantly said hell no, we are going to The Game and we've had a verbal contract on this game my whole life. Probably the best memory I have with my dad was on that day sending the skunk weasels packing without their hopes of an undefeated record or national title. To your point, I remember seeing that ticker and my studies at school diminished incredibly knowing I would be in the 'Shoe for that one. I have never seen the amount of hype for a game, but it was well worth it.