OSU fan takes loyalty to Buckeyes to new level

Jeff Lantz's home along the Anthony Wayne Trail gets lots of attention with his rooftop display of devotion to Ohio State.

Jeff Lantz can be minding his own business, cutting his grass on a summer's day, and people driving past his Maumee home lower their windows and yell all sorts of things.

Like, "Ohio State!!!"

Or, "Go Blue!"

It's not Mr. Lantz. It's the big O on his roof, visible to the more than 22,000 drivers who travel the nearby Anthony Wayne Trail every day and a testament since 1997 to his devotion: Buckeyes football.

"When I bought the house I needed a new roof," he said. "I was just kidding and said something to the roofer about putting an 'O' on the roof, and he said, 'Yeah, we can do that.'•"

He's proud of his state and Ohio State football, as was his father, Allen, who died last year.

Mr. Lantz, 44, tries to attend an Ohio State game every two years or so. But he's never been to a Buckeye-Wolverine showdown and has no plans to start.

"I think I'd stress out and explode," he said.

He'll watch the game today at home alone.

"I rant and rave and shouldn't be around other people," he said. "My girlfriend and her daughter left my house last year. They found a safer place to watch the game."

His prediction: Ohio State 38, Michigan 34.