GALION – Brad Smith is hoping for a “Field Day” on Monday.

The Galion dentist, a longtime Ohio State fan and graduate, is counting on quarterback Justin Fields, head coach Ryan Day and the entire football team to bring home a College Football National Championship to the Buckeye State.

“Fields just might be the guy,” said Smith, who’s office at 401 Harding Way West is chock-full of OSU memorabilia.  “I hope they win.  I care about them playing Alabama more than any other team really.”

The Buckeyes, who advanced after creaming No. 2 Clemson in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, will battle top seed Alabama in the title game, which will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.  Although undefeated, the Buckeyes are the underdogs.

Smith, who graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1990, is especially focused on this championship game because close friends who live in Alabama are die-hard Crimson Tide fans and, like others, can be downright “obnoxious.”

“When I’m visiting down there and we’re talking and I happen to say, ‘Ohio State in a conversion, then they always say, ‘Who?,’” Smith said, “and then they say, ‘you mean that high school team?’  In Alabama, football is honestly like a religion.”

Smith, 56, grew up in Erie, Pa., and was actually a Penn State fan before moving to Columbus for graduate school.  He attended his first football game as a Buckeye in 1986 as was hooked.  “I ran into Archie Griffin at the first game, I mean, literally ran into him,” he said.  “It was exciting.”

For four years, he and the other dental college students were regulars at the Horseshoe.  They tailgated, then hiked up to the back wall of B deck where they all sat in the same section.  They cheered for the Buckeyes and for legendary running back Eddie George, who earned a place in gridiron history.

“It’s impressive to go to OSU Stadium and then wait until you see all the energy of more than 100,000 screaming fans,” Smith said.  “Everyone just has to go to an Ohio State game.  I really wish they (the Buckeyes) had been this good when I went there though.”

Following graduation, Smith stayed in the Columbus area to work and raise a family.  He and his wife, Kelly, moved when he took over the practice of longtime Galion dentist Richard Prijatel in 1999.  His office at that time was on North Columbus Street.

As the family grew – the Smiths have four sons – weekends were spent at home games.  The Smiths donned Scarlet and Gray like the rest of Buckeye Nation, but “I would always buy jerseys for the boys and take a Sharpie along so they could get them signed.”

Smith, who has attended hundreds of OSU games over the years, has a helmet signed by former Coach Jim Tressel, intricate paper models of “the Shoe” and campus area, limited-edition prints of players and a variety of other Buckeye memorabilia.

His favorite collectible, however, is Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George’s mouthguard.  Yes, the red mouthpiece was made in the dental school back in the day.  “It’s kind of a little bit of a weird thing but it’s probably my favorite because no none else has it,” Smith said.

His closet at home, naturally, is overflowing with licensed Block “O” apparel, hats and sweatshirts, some with the tags still intact.  He and Kelly have even been known to coordinate their game-day outfits, right down to their matching shoes and accessories.

The Smith boys – Jory, Jarek, Blaze and Hunter – are grown now, ranging in age from 25 to 35.  But they will always bleed Scarlet and Gray, Smith said.  “The cool thing about OSU is my kids are spread out across the country, but they’re still Ohio State fans.”

And dad, although he’s never attended a national championship game, will be tuned in to ESPN Monday night.  He’s counting on a “Field Day,” a Big 10 win, and an end to Alabama Coach Nick Saban’s perfect 12-0 season.

“Most people care about the OSU versus Michigan game, but I care more about beating Alabama so I can have bragging rights.”