Former players pick OSU to win

By John Kovach

Only Marcus Marek feels that Michigan has a chance to beat the Buckeyes.

YOUNGSTOWN — Former Ohio State football players Robert Smith and Jim Otis do not believe Michigan has much of a chance to beat Ohio State Saturday.

But another former Buckeye, Marcus Marek from Brookfield High and Masury, disagrees and thinks the Wolverines could win.

However, three Michigan football alumni — Billy Taylor, Russell Davis and Ron Simpkins — said although they hope the Wolverines win the 105th meeting between the two Big Ten and century-old rivals, it would take a superior performance to do so.

Those were the predictions made by the six former players who played in “The Game” at one time or another during their careers, prior to their appearances as guest speakers at the Ohio State/Michigan Banquet Wednesday night at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Banquet Hall.

All money raised from the banquet will go toward the St. Christine’s Gymnasium Building Fund.

Smith, 36, a native of Euclid who played running back in two OSU-Michigan games and went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings, said the only chance the Wolverines (3-8, 2-5 Big Ten) have to beat the No. 10 Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) is by “forcing mistakes” and creating turnovers.

“But Ohio State doesn’t pass that much so how are [the Wolverines] going to get [interceptions for] turnovers? Being consistent on offense and defense won’t help them,” said Smith, who played for OSU from 1990-92.

Marek, a linebacker who played four years for OSU (1979-82), including three games against Michigan, believes the Wolverines and first-year coach Rich Rodriguez will have extra incentive to spring an upset.

“This is the game,” he said. “This could make Michigan’s season and help Rodriguez save the season.”

Otis, a native of Celina and a three-year fullback (1967-69) who played in three OSU-UM games and helped the Buckeyes win their fifth national championship in 1968, said: “Michigan doesn’t have a chance.

“Ohio State won’t overlook them. This game means too much for Ohio State.”

Taylor, a former Michigan running back (1968-70) who set the school career rushing record with 3,072 yards in three seasons and now is ranked No. 8 at the school, won two of his three games against Ohio State, including a huge upset in the 1969 game against a Buckeye team Sports Illustrated had called “the best college football team ever assembled.”

So, said Taylor, “A Michigan win could conceivably happen.

“I’m hopeful, But it would be another miracle.”

Davis, a former Michigan fullback who was MVP for Bo Schembechler’s Big Ten Conference champions in 1977 and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, agreed with Taylor.

“Michigan would have to play mistake-free football,” he said. “OSU [has been] the superior team the last 6-7 years. We have to hope for breaks.”

Simpkins, a former Michigan All-American linebacker and co-captain in 1979 who went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals, also concurred his alma mater would have to play “flawless” football to win.

But he said it could happen.

“If the defense steps up and the offense scores when they have the opportunity — and early in the game, [they could do it],” he said.

Stay tuned.

kovach@vindy.com