November 8, 2026
- A King of Pop Encore: The Ohio State University Marching Band returned to Ohio Stadium with an electrifying tribute honoring Michael Jackson, blending athletic brass power with world-renowned drill precision.
- The High-Energy Setlist: The performance ran through brass-forward arrangements of iconic Jackson anthems, including “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Earth Song” “Thriller,” and “Smooth Criminal.”
- Precision Illusions: Reimagining the visual magic of their viral 2013 Jackson halftime showcase, the band marched through signature formations featuring the fedora freeze from “Billie Jean,” the 45-degree anti-gravity lean and the classic “Thriller” logo.
- The Final Stretch: The high-energy performance arrived as the Buckeyes brace for a high-stakes closing month, gearing up for Big Ten matchups against Northwestern and Nebraska before the regular-season finale against Michigan.
Thee Ohio State University. If you know anything about me, then you already know that I was born a Buckeye (literally).That made last night’s tribute to Michael Jackson even more special, as the OSU marching band took to the ‘Shoe to perform several of Jackson’s classics, including “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Earth Song,” “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal.”
There is halftime entertainment, and then there is The Best Damn Band in the Land. When TBDBITL takes the field, over 100,000 fans in Ohio Stadium expect pinpoint precision, booming brass, and drill illusions that belong on a theater stage.Last night delivered on every front, transforming the field into a stadium-sized celebration of the King of Pop’s catalog.
Table of Contents
- Revisiting 2013 Greatness with Modern Field Mastery
- Buckeyes Football: The Road Ahead
Revisiting 2013 Greatness with Modern Field Mastery
TBDBITL originally took the internet by storm back in 2013 with their groundbreaking Michael Jackson tribute, setting the bar for viral college marching band performances.
Bringing that sound back under the stadium lights was both a nostalgic nod and a fresh technical flex:
- Signature Animated Formations: The band moved across the hash marks with seamless coordination, assembling into the classic “Billie Jean” fedora silhouette before locking into the gravity-defying 45-degree forward lean from “Smooth Criminal.”
- The Thriller Incursion: Shifting into Jackson’s 1982 masterpiece, the musicians spelled out the jagged “Thriller” script logo before navigating synchronized choreography—all while maintaining crisp tonal balance across the trumpet and sousaphone lines.
- Dynamic Brass Power: From the driving tempo of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” to the lush, sweeping dynamics of “Earth Song,” the arrangements proved how effortlessly Jackson’s rhythm and horn lines translate to hundreds of instruments playing in unison.
Buckeyes Football: The Road Ahead
After last night’s loss to Oregon, Ohio State now heads into a crucial three-game November slate to wrap up Big Ten play:
- Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Northwestern (12:00 PM EST, FOX)
- Saturday, Nov. 21: at Nebraska (Time TBA)
- Saturday, Nov. 28: at Michigan (12:00 PM EST, FOX)
With postseason positioning on the line, the Buckeyes will look to carry that same energy on the field as the calendar turns toward rivalry week…