YSU/OSU Live | Ten minutes ’till kickoff

YSU at OSU

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Two years ago, I covered the YSU-Pitt game at Heinz Field. The Panthers weren’t very good that year and they didn’t play very well against YSU. (Tyler Palko has got to be the most overrated college quarterback of the last decade.) Still, they managed to beat the Penguins 41-0.

Last year, YSU played better against Penn State and kept it close for the first half before losing 37-3. That Penn State team was OK, but not great.

Which brings us to this year’s game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes have more talent than either of those teams and YSU isn’t quite as good as it was last year.

Which leads me to my prediction: OSU, 49-3. Jim Tressel isn’t going to want to run up the score against his former team, but the talent gap is just too big. Aside from tight end Louis Irizarry (who started his career at OSU) and maybe LB James Terry, the Penguins will be overmatched at every position.

I ran into Bob Hannon (aka “The Voice of the Penguins) a few minutes ago and he predicted a 38-7 score. I’m not sure YSU can get a touchdown, but a field goal seems reasonable.

My fellow sports writer, Pete Mollica, is predicting a 47-10 score. “Because I don’t think they can stop Ohio State,” he said.

I think YSU will get back in the postseason this year. But they’re going to be overmatched today.