Keys to the Game: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State

The Buckeyes and Penguins have different paths to victory when they take the field Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes and Youngstown State Penguins square off Saturday at Ohio Stadium on Big Ten Network.

The Buckeyes and Penguins each have different things they must do if they are to emerge victorious, with one path being much more likely than the other.

Here are the keys to the game for Saturday's contest between Ohio State and Youngstown State:

Ohio State wins if...

...they show up.

Let's not dance around the obvious: the Buckeyes out-class the Penguins in every measurable category. Ohio State is the more-than-heavy favorite against their in-state opponent.

It could be easy for Ohio State to get caught up in the criticism they received from a less-than-desirable showing last weekend in and against Indiana.

However, even if the Buckeyes come out and play like they did in their opener this past Saturday, it would still be enough to beat the Penguins. Ohio State will of course be looking to play better than they did in Bloomington, correcting their several errors against the Hoosiers, but the point has been made.

All the Buckeyes need to do to get the win is stay healthy, have all their starters show up for the game and play their brand of football.

Youngstown State wins if...

...they both catch Ohio State on a bad day, and play one of their best games of football in program history.

It’s hard to say schematically what the Penguins need to take advantage of against the Buckeyes. Almost everything that went wrong for Ohio State last weekend against Indiana was small and correctable, and what wasn’t involved individual performances rather than that of the team. 

Speaking generally then, Youngstown State has to accomplish the enormous task of making the Buckeyes uncomfortable on their home field.

One of the ways in which this can be done is putting pressure on Ohio State quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, both of whom are trying to gain confidence behind center. This can be accomplished by rushing the defensive line and linebackers often, especially on the first few drives.

Ohio State and Youngstown State kick off at noon on Saturday, September 9. The game will air on Big Ten Network from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.