Senator Ted Cruz thought he had a zinger ready for a Michigan politician this week, but college football fans were quick to remind him that he swung and missed — badly.
The Texas senator took aim at Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat in 2026, after El-Sayed tweeted about his excitement for the upcoming football season. "It's about to be football season…I can't wait to beat Ohio," El-Sayed wrote, clearly hoping to rally Wolverines fans ahead of the election.
Cruz, apparently unfamiliar with the nuances of one of college football's fiercest rivalries, mocked El-Sayed for not saying "Ohio State." But as any fan of the Big Ten knows, referring to Ohio State as simply "Ohio" is a time-honored tradition among Michigan faithful — a deliberate slight that mirrors Ohio State's own refusal to say "Michigan," instead calling them "That Team Up North."
The internet, as it often does, had a field day with Cruz's blunder. One fan wrote, "Michigan calls us 'Ohio' and we call them 'the team up north' stay in your lane 🤣." Another added, "He went to U of M. He's heard of OSU. He was brushing it off like they don't matter cause that's what Michiganders do. It's called rivalry, and you'd get it if you were from here."
Even those who aren't fans of El-Sayed found themselves defending him. "Can't stand this guy. But to be fair, Michigan fans do refer to Ohio State as just Ohio," one user noted. Another chimed in, "Attempting to dunk on a guy for not knowing what he talks about when it is you actually. Hahahahaha. Everyone knows Michigan people only say Ohio when referring to OSU."
The backlash was swift and merciless, with one fan simply advising, "Ted, maybe twitter isn't for you."
This isn't the first time a politician has stumbled into the crosshairs of college football fans, and it likely won't be the last. The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is one of the most passionate in sports, and outsiders often find themselves caught in the crossfire.
For those unfamiliar, the stakes are high when these two teams meet. This year's showdown is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, in Columbus, and will air on FOX. With the 2026 season kicking off this weekend, fans are already gearing up for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in this historic rivalry.
As for Cruz, he might want to brush up on his rivalry etiquette before his next tweet. Or, as one fan succinctly put it, he should just stay in his lane.
