Ohio State vs. Youngstown State Game Predictions

Check out the BuckeyesNow staff's predictions for the Ohio State Buckeyes' 2023 season opener against the Youngstown State Penguins.

The Ohio State Buckeyes open their 2023 schedule against the Youngstown State Penguins on September 9 at noon inside Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes and Penguins have squared off only two times previously, with the Scarlet and Gray coming out victorious in both.

Ohio State will be fresh off of a conference road game against the Indiana Hoosiers, while Youngstown State will be coming off of a contest against Valparaiso the Saturday prior.

Here are the BuckeyesNow staff predictions for the game.

Matt Galatzan, Managing Editor: 

Poor Penguins. Ohio State by a billion. 

Ohio State 65, Youngstown State 13

Timm Hamm, Writer: After a Big Ten test against Indiana in Week 1, the Buckeyes get a bye week in the form of Youngstown State. It's hard to write a prediction for this game that shows kindness to the Penguins, so I won't. This one might be a blood bath of epic proportions from start to finish. 

Ohio State 72, Youngstown State 0

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: How to defeat a program like Youngstown State in 10 steps. Step 1: Show up. Step 2-10: you literally need only the first step.

Ohio State 54, Youngstown State 0

Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: After opening the season against a Big Ten foe, Ohio State has a much easier game against Youngstown State in Week 2. There is not much to say about this one as it should be a game that the Buckeyes have control of from the opening whistle. That being said, look for them to cruise to a win in this one.

Ohio State 52, Youngstown State 3

Casey Smith, Staff Writer: The Buckeyes' game this fall against Youngstown State will be the fourth-ever game the Buckeyes have played against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent and the third time against the Penguins. Ohio State won those previous three contests by a combined score of 157-6. This shouldn't be any different. The Buckeyes haven't shut out an opponent since Sept. 7, 2019, against Cincinnati — head coach Ryan Day's second-ever game at the helm. However, I think they snap that streak against the Penguins.

Ohio State 66, Youngstown State 0

Caleb Spinner, Staff Writer: There is one game every year in which the Buckeyes enter as heavy favorites but struggle in the first two quarters, only to turn things around in the third and win in blow-out fashion. Do I think this is that game for the 2023 season? No. I fully expect Ohio State will run over the Penguins in their first game of the year at the 'Shoe. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Youngstown State scores however, either by catching Ohio State off guard at the start of the game or sneaking past the Buckeye reserves at the end.

Ohio State 59, Youngstown State 7

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