A Well-Oiled Machine: The Ohio State Marching Band Gears Up for the Cotton Bowl

College football and marching bands go together like peanut butter and jelly, and The Ohio State University is world-class at both.

Ohio State will square off against the University of Texas in the 2025 Cotton Bowl, which is also the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs. Obviously, the main attraction is going to be football, but music, marching band and brass enthusiasts understand the bonus of getting to watch a performance by the Ohio State marching band, considered top of their class in marching.

Their nickname is even “The Best Damn Band in the Land.”

Congratulations to the 147th edition of The Best Damn Band in the Land! pic.twitter.com/d0iwrDAtXP

— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) August 13, 2024

What makes the Ohio State marching band so astounding is the precision and creativity with which they march. Their halftime shows are often filled with clear images and skits made entirely out of the movements of the band and minimal props: For starters, their flawless cursive spelling of the word “Ohio” during the Rose Bowl, their “The Road to the Moon Goes Through Ohio” show, which featured space-themed formations, and maybe best of all their constant belittlement of rival school Michigan, in which they find creative ways to disrespect the Michigan logo.

We LOVE it when @TBDBITL does this. pic.twitter.com/vLXHw7iGw9

— Ohio State (@OhioState) November 25, 2024

Another thing that sets the band apart is their style of marching, which is a fast cadence with a high knee lift. Do we know what that means? No, but basic research says that this means they march fast and raise their knees high while keeping their toes pointed to the ground, taking each step toe to heel. When this motion is done in mass, it creates a spectacle of human movement, and Ohio State has perfected it.

All 228 members of the band were selected through tryouts that, according to the Ohio State website, consist of two phases: a music audition and a marching audition. So not only does their instrumental ability have to be up to standards, but their physical aptitude, too, as marching practice and performances can be an exhausting task.

In a 2023 YouTube video posted by Lantern TV titled “What Does It Take to Be a Part of the Ohio State Marching Band?”, a current member describes the tryout process as the hardest thing physically and emotionally he’s ever done.

The same video also talks about the technology used by the band to ensure pristine performances. The band equips members with iPads during practice that show their exact placement and movements within the group, ensuring that they are in the right spots at the right time.

On Thursday, Ohio State gave North Texans an opportunity to watch their rehearsal before their Cotton Bowl performance, which was held at the Melissa Championship Center in Melissa.

🚨 Due to projected weather in Texas, we have moved our rehearsal site to the indoor field at Melissa Championship Center.

Although seats are not guaranteed, the public is still welcome to view practice.

The plan is to rehearse from 2-4 p.m. on the 9th, but times may vary. pic.twitter.com/VP3nqudCYf

— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) January 6, 2025

The game is at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. If you’re attending, get there early to watch the entrance of the band and their pregame performance, one of the best traditions in college football, then stick around at halftime to enjoy the show and the perfect movements this group puts together. If you’re watching from home, no worries; the halftime show will be aired by ESPN.

Whatever your thoughts are on marching bands, these kids are badasses. The Ohio State Marching Band creates musical bliss encased by poetry in motion that results in a performance like no other.