Buckeye faithful don't get excited about YSU

Friday, August 25, 2006 The Penguins will receive $1.7 million for two trips to the 'Shoe. COLUMBUS (AP) — A few days before Ohio State played San Diego State last season, All-American linebacker A.J. Hawk made the point that the Buckeyes would not look past the Aztecs. "We know we still have a big test," Hawk said. "We don't schedule I-AA teams here. We play great teams every week." Not so fast, A.J. These days, the definition of "great" is a bit more elastic. Youngstown State will open the 2007 and 2008 seasons at Ohio State and will receive $850,000 for its trouble. More I-AA opponents are likely on the way, subsidized by more than 100,000 ticket buyers at $58 apiece. Opponents scarce Forget the rising cost of a gallon of gas; inflation has really rocked the world of football scheduling. Ohio State officials say it will soon cost $1 million — more than a 100 percent markup over the past year or two — to coerce some school with a second-level pedigree to come play football at Ohio Stadium. "The guarantees went up because the Tennessee's, Ohio States, Michigan's, Florida's and Texas's were all trying to add a seventh or eight game to their home schedule," athletic director Gene Smith said. Starting with this season, NCAA Division I-A teams may play 12 regular season games. The Buckeyes open Sept. 2 at home against Northern Illinois. Smith and coach Jim Tressel like to play as many home games as possible, and to play teams within Ohio to keep the money in-state. The typical guarantee for a non-conference opponent to come to Ohio Stadium was just $350,000 to $450,000 as recently as last season. "We have to have at least seven home games every year, maybe eight in other years," said Steve Snapp, Ohio State's sports information director. "The fact is that it's competitive out there. The smaller schools know that the larger schools need games." Ohio State recently released its football schedules through the 2010 season. Smith and Snapp said non-conference teams visiting Ohio Stadium over that span will get about $850,000 to make the trip. Smith said the day is at hand when it will cost Ohio State $1 million to bring in an opponent. Quality of opponents There is only one gap in those four schedules — a Halloween game in 2010 — but a whole lot of questions about who the Buckeyes will play. The opponents include Washington (2007), Southern Cal (2008 and 2009) and Miami, Fla. (2010). Ticket-buyers love those matchups. They are not so crazy about some of the others. It will take a lot for Youngstown State and Army (2009, 2010) to compete on equal terms with Ohio State. When Youngstown State comes to Ohio Stadium to open the 2007 season, it will be the first time Ohio State has played a I-AA opponent. Fans are already bombarding the daily newspaper with e-mails and letters to the editor complaining that they're paying high prices for tickets and they want to see a top-level opponent. Snapp said he is aware of the athletic department receiving only one negative e-mail about scheduling Youngstown State. Tressel said there should be no stigma applied to I-AA teams. "If you want home games, I don't know how you're going to avoid it," Tressel said. "You're going to have to go to that inventory. I would not foresee us going I-AA out of the state, unless the inventory just gets so low."