Cable television rights have a lot of college football fans scratching their heads this week. Because ABC opted to cover the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry this Saturday, Ohio State’s matchup with Wisconsin will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Luckily, Buckeyes and Badgers fans living in Washington don’t need access to BTN to watch their favorite teams square off.
OSU’s Alumni Club of Washington, DC, runs programs for the thousands of Ohio State graduates in the area. This Saturday’s Big Ten matchup will be televised at noon at the usual “gamewatch” hot spots—Rhino Bar & Pumphouse in Georgetown and Union Jack’s British Pub in Bethesda—where Buckeyes decorations cover the walls, fight songs play during timeouts, and giveaways are raffled throughout the game.
Badgers fans will be watching, too, hoping the nation’s top-ranked team falls this weekend. The Wisconsin Alumni Association has a DC chapter of its own, and its members plan to take over Hamilton’s, where a seating area for 150 is expected to be filled by kickoff.
Rhino Bar & Pumphouse, 3295 M St., NW; 202-333-3150; rhinobardc.com. Usually attracts a young, standing-room-only crowd. Specials include $8 domestic pitchers and 25-cent chicken wings.
Union Jack’s British Pub, 4915 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda; 301-652-2561; unionjacksbethesda.com. Large seating area and Metro-accessible. Specials include $3 Bud Light pints and half-price pool. Closest Metro stop: Bethesda.
Hamilton’s Bar & Grill, 233 Second St., NW; 202-347-6555; hamiltonsdc.com. Fans love the $3 Leinenkugel’s, a beer from Wisconsin. Closest Metro stops: Union Station and Judiciary Square.
