Game Predictions: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Youngstown State Penguins

The Buckeyes are 40-point favorites in Saturday's game against the Penguins at Ohio Stadium.

The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes host the Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday, September 9 at Ohio Stadium.

This is the first non-conference game of the season for the Buckeyes after they defeated the Indiana Hoosiers on the road last weekend, 23-3. The Penguins also prevailed in their season-opener, taking care of Valparaiso, 52-10.

Ohio State is listed as 41.5-point favorites against Youngstown State in a game which many predict will be a blowout.

Here is how the BuckeyesNow editors and staff writers see Saturday's game going between the Buckeyes and Penguins:

Brendan Gulick, Publisher

The Buckeyes don't just need to win ... they need to win AND look the part. I think this will be a nice opportunity for valuable game-time reps for Kyle McCord and for the offensive line. They should overpower the Penguins at the line of scrimmage and it should be a goal to never have a defender register a QB hurry (let alone a sack) on Saturday.

Defensively, this team showed me a lot last week against the Hoosiers. But they'll need to put together performances like that time and time again if they're going to strike fear into anyone's eyes, given their big-play vulnerabilities the last two seasons. That said, if the defense can play at a championship level, perhaps the offense doesn't need to be quite as special as we've grown accustomed to seeing.

I think TreVeyon Henderson has a big day on the ground and the Buckeyes run for 200 yards against the Penguins in a blowout win. Expect two defensive takeaways as well.

Ohio State 48, Youngstown State 3

Caleb Spinner, Staff Writer

A 41-point win would be exactly what the doctor ordered for Ohio State after they performed below expectations last weekend. However, I have a feeling the beatdown will be even worse.

The Buckeyes have more to prove than just being able to win a game by more than the expected margin of victory. Ohio State had several problems that needed addressing last weekend, including at quarterback and on the offensive line.

The Scarlet and Gray have plenty of things to prove on Saturday. If you ask me, the third-ever matchup between Ohio State and Youngstown State will be an absolute massacre on the scoreboard.

Ohio State 58, Youngstown State 3

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

The Buckeyes' game 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 48, Youngstown State 0

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

Emperor penguins need to live in frigid conditions to survive, roughly around 35 degrees. Ohio State best score six TDs and a few field goals to send Youngstown State into extinction. Anything less than covering the 41-point spread is unacceptable. 

Ohio State 48, Youngstown State 0

Harrison Reno, Staff Writer

This one is straightforward, the Buckeyes kick off their first of six home games this season with a blowout win over the Penguins. 

Ohio State 52, Youngstown State 3