In the great debate of DC Comics superheroes, Oklahoma State running back Jeremy Smith's heart rests in Gotham City. And Smith is less than thrilled with the big announcement that Batman will be sharing the screen with Superman in the sequel to this summer's "Man of Steel."
"I'm not a fan of Superman," Smith told the Tulsa World. "I'm just a straight Batman fan, so I don't think that can work. I was hoping there would be a Batman and Robin movie. That's what I'm hoping for. If they had something like that, I would go watch it just because it's Batman. But, ahh, (Superman and Batman), that's just doing too much."
Smith is such a fan of the character he wore a Batman shirt under his pads in the 2008 Oklahoma state championship game when he ran for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
And if Smith can deliver one yard for every million dollars 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises" grossed at the global box office, the resulting 1,084 rushing yards would make the redshirt senior Oklahoma State's seventh consecutive 1,000-yard rusher, joining Dantrell Savage, Kendall Hunter, Keith Toston and Joseph Randle.
There's been some skepticism whether Smith, who has rushed for 1,439 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, or any of his teammates can continue that streak. Smith has toted the ball 10 or more times in just seven games, three in Big 12 conference games, and just once last season. That reflects both the success of Randle, drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys, and nagging injuries that have hindered Smith's career.
Running backs coach Jemal Singleton expects Smith to be a superhero as the lead back.
"He's got the skills, he's got the ability, he's got the knowledge," Singleton said. "He's been here long enough to get those things, so now it's just putting his foot forward and really getting it done."
Said Smith: "It's my time to go now."
Smith might be a fan of Batman, but Oklahoma State would be thrilled if his play this season resembles The Flash.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.