Youngstown State

There is no line on this game, likely due to YSU's status as a FCS member (formerly D-1AA) instead of a FBS member (formerly D-1A). Same goes for scUM v. Applachian State. If a line was to be set, 35-38 would probably be the ballpark.

YSU has played a D-1A/FBS school in 4 of the past 6 years. The results have not been good:

2001 - lost at Marshall, 24-38

2003 - lost at Kent State, 13-16

2005 - lost at Pittsburgh, 0-41

2006 - lost at Penn State, 3-37

When Tressel was there, YSU was 13-13-1 v. D-1 schools, but all games were against the MAC.

When Penn State pounded YSU last year, the Nittany Lions had 389 yards rushing. YSU gave up more that 200 yards on the ground often, including over 300 yards to Applachian State in the Championship game. They also gave up nearly 200 yards passing per game in 2006. In short, they were a very porous defense. What made them successful is they had a great RB. Marcus Mason averaged 155 yards per game, and the Penguins rushed for 223 yards/game in 2006. Alas, Mason graduated, errr used up his eligibility, as did their no. 2 back. Their top WR is also gone. Lots of new skilled position starters versus the Silver Bullets. That's not good for them. You will see someone familiar though, as their starting TE is Louis Irizarry. You may remember him from a few years ago when he committed to go to Ohio State, then backed out and committed to go to Miami, Fla., only to renege on that and actually enroll at OSU. He played for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2003, before being kicked off the squad. He'll have Senior QB Tom Zetts throwing to him. Zetts' average game last year was 12-21 for 149 yards. Not exactly someone who lights it up, but then again he has more experience than Todd Boeckman.

I think you will hear (not see) Tressel exploit the sieve-like YSU defense with a steady diet of Wells, Wells and Saine. Boeckman will sound like Craig Krenzel and be asked to manage the game, not win it. Probably will end up with stats similar to Zetts' 2006 average. Don't be surprised if the Buckeyes have 50+ rushes and more than 300 yards on the ground. With all of the running plays, the game will go by faster and Ohio State will not burn out any lights on the scoreboard. Of all the schools that we could play, Tressel does not want to run it up on YSU, but rather wants a "respectable" score. If there was a line, I would say take YSU and the points.

MTB says:

YSU 0 0 0 7 - 7

OSU 7 14 14 3 - 38