Attribution: Columbus Dispatch
For the second year in a row, the Buckeyes open with DI-AA (yes, I know the NCAA wants to use a different designation…) Youngstown State University Penguins. Aside from being Jim Tressel’s prior school, YSU is a strong football program that has been competitive in their division for years - this isn’t your typical DI-AA patsy sporting the 14th most effective defense in the conference last year.
What to know about this game? Well, it’s a scrimmage where tickets will be on sale. Last year OSU rumbled to a 38-6 where we saw many different players take snaps. Given the talent and experience mismatch this year, it could be an uglier outcome, but somehow I don’t see Coach Tressel sticking it to the Penguins, he’ll take a win that includes many learning experiences in “live” situations for his players in their inaugural outing of the season.
What to watch? The defensive interior. If YSU has success running up the middle, look out, it’s going to be a long season. However, if the defense is able to stop the run (particularly up the middle) this will be a sign of growth heading into the season. On the offensive side of the ball, the running game will get a work out with a stable of running backs getting touches on the day. Offensively, the question is pass protection, if Boeckman can stay upright, then look out! Special teams need to pay attention to returns, if the return game improves, so does the team overall. And finally, and most importantly, what happens on the turnover front? If the Buckeyes can start strong by a) not ceding turnovers and b) generating some opponent turnovers, it’s going to be a great season.
What will happen? After hanging in for a half a quarter, the Bucks step on the accelerator and pull away. Look for many players to get time in many different formations from the late 2nd quarter on. OSU wins it 34-0.
[...] forward. Periodically, I’ll remind folks that the content is there. Right now, there’s a game preview for Youngstown State up now. I’ll be working to classify the existing content over the next few days, will add a season [...]
[...] as predicted, that was a scrimmage, though the overall totals were a bit more lopsided than I expected. As usual, we’ll take a [...]