Buckeyes fans flock to get geared up ahead of football season opener

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- With only three days until Ohio State football kicks off against Akron, students and fans are making sure they have all their gear ready. 

There's lots of buzz around the Buckeyes as we head into the start of the football season. For some, a new season means a new wardrobe. Many are looking to add to their scarlet and gray clothing collection. 

If you stop in to any of the clothing stores around campus, chances are they'll be packed with people stocking up on all things Ohio State. For stores like 'College Traditions' near campus, owner Kelly Dawes said this is one of their busiest times of year. "Everybody wants their new outfit for this season," Dawes said. "They're getting all their tailgate items."

Ohio State apparel stores are attracting both former and new students. Steve Pariser is a two-time graduate of Ohio State and a former professor. He said there is nothing quite like wearing the Buckeyes logo. "It's emblematic of the great Buckeye spirit and I want to share it with everyone I know, including my daughter, who's a graduate of Ohio State and our grandchildren," Pariser said.

New students are now taking pride in this too, like freshmen Erin Clemens-Regan and Eva Schindler. "Being in this atmosphere is so cool especially seeing it on TV and now getting to be a part of it is really cool," Clemens-Regan said.  

Both students stopped into 'Clothing Underground', a second-hand store near campus. They bought Ohio State tank-tops for the hot weekend ahead. Storm Team 4 meteorologist Ben Gelber expects the temperature at kickoff at 3:30 p.m. to be 84 degrees.

"Its been crazy just seeing everyone walking around, always wearing merch," Schindler said. "That's mainly why I'm here." 'Clothing Underground' owner, Josh Harden, said lightweight and comfortable clothes have been selling well. 

Harden said the trick for owning a business on campus is you have to be able to make it through summer while students are away. But once they're back, it's game on. Everyone is excited to get in the Buckeye spirit. "I think we're loaded," Dawes said. "The team is looking good and so I think that really energizes people and gets them more excited."

'Clothing Underground' anticipates a large enough crowd Friday that they'll have to start a line outside. While 'College Traditions' opens earlier on home football weekends to give everyone a chance to get their Buckeye gear. One of its top sellers? Its Michigan toilet paper. 

The Buckeyes enter its Saturday home opener against Akron as heavy double-digit favorites as they seek its first spot in the College Football Playoff since 2022. Every Ohio State home opener since 2001 has had an attendance of at least 100,000, excluding the 2020 season due to COVID-pandemic restrictions.