When Ohio State welcomes Youngstown State into Ohio Stadium on Saturday, the Buckeyes will be massive favorites over the Penguins.
According to consensus lines from the Action Network, Ohio State is a 42-point favorite over Youngstown State this weekend, as sportsbooks expect the Buckeyes to face minimal opposition from their in-state FCS opponent.
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | SPREAD | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPT. 2, 2023 | INDIANA | BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA | -30.5 | OSU 23, IU 3 |
| SEPT. 9, 2023 | YOUNGSTOWN STATE | COLUMBUS, OHIO | -41.5 | |
| SEPT. 23, 2023 | NOTRE DAME | SOUTH BEND, INDIANA | -7.5 | |
| OCT. 21, 2023 | PENN STATE | COLUMBUS, OHIO | -10.5 | |
| NOV. 11, 2023 | MICHIGAN STATE | COLUMBUS, OHIO | -24.5 | |
| NOV. 25, 2023 | MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN | +1.5 |
If Ohio State does, in fact, blow out Youngstown State, it wouldn't be the first time that outcome has occurred between the programs.
There have been two all-time matchups featuring the Buckeyes and Penguins, one in 2007 and the other in 2008. The former was a 38-6 win for Ohio State behind a 225-yard, two-touchdown performance from quarterback Todd Boeckman, and the latter was a 43-0 shutout for the Buckeyes, as running back Chris "Beanie" Wells rushed for 111 yards and a score.
Youngstown State went 7-4 last season with a 5-3 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. In the school's lone FBS matchup – a Week 3 contest with Kentucky – the Wildcats shut out the Penguins 31-0 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington. In 2023, Youngstown State started its season with a 52-10 win over Valparaiso behind a 111-yard, two-touchdown performance from running back Tyshon King.
Ohio State will welcome Youngstown State into the Shoe at noon on Saturday. The matchup will be televised on Big Ten Network, with Cory Provus, Jake Butt and Brooke Fletcher on the call. Ohio State's radio network, 97.1 The Fan, will feature its usual crew of Paul Keels, Jim Lachey and Matt Andrews.
