With the 2008 Buckeye football campaign kicking off in a little under 12 hours, it’s time for me to make a game one prediction and breakdown the position advantages.

Quarterbacks
Returning starter Todd Boeckman has much more experience than Youngstown State’s 2007 bench warmers Todd Rowan and Brandon Summers (both expected to take snaps). Realistically, Boeckman will only play a short time as Ohio State should have a significant lead early in the game. Freshmen (and RS Freshman) Terrelle Pryor and Joe Bauserman will see the field early and be given plenty of playing time. I, as well as many other fans, am extremely looking forward to the latter part of the game and watching Pryor take snaps for the first time.

DTI Preseason Rating-OSU: A- YSU: D+

Runningbacks/Running Game:
Only thing that needs to be said is: Beanie Wells. Thats All.

DTI Preseason Rating-OSU: A+ YSU: C

Wide Receivers/Tightends:
Jake Ballard and Rory Nicol are great blockers and can catch. Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline both pose major threats against this YSU secondary. Not much needs to be questioned in this matchup except who will be OSU’s primary 3rd receiver?

DTI Preseason Rating-OSU: B+ YSU: C

Offensive line:
I’m wasting my time here. Alex Boone, Steve Rehring anchor another great Buckeye line that is amongst the best in the country.

DTI Rating-OSU: A YSU: B-

Defensive Line:
Lawrence Wilson faces the team that he broke his leg against last year. Some say he’s better than Gholston. Defensive tackles were iffy last year. Hopefully Worthington won’t be suspended for too long (DUI a few weeks ago). Thad Gibson will see a lot of time at the other end position. Heyward may see some time at DT.

DTI Rating-OSU: B YSU: C

Linebackers:
Wasting my time again. Laurinaitis, Freeman, and Ross Homan.

DTI Rating-OSU: A+ YSU: C+

Secondary:
Kurt Coleman is out with a sprained ankle. Donald Washington is suspended. Backup safety Jamario O’Neal is suspended. Jermale Hines will get the start with little experience playing safety. Nickel back Chimdi Chekwa will start at CB. Malcolm Jenkins boosts this grade however.

DTI Rating-OSU: B- YSU: C-

Score Prediction: Buckeyes 51 Penguins 6

Stat Projections (only notables listed): Passing: Todd Boeckman 15 of 22 passing, 196 yds 3 TDs; Joe Bauserman 4 of 8 passing, 45 yds 1 TD; Terrelle Pryor 8 of 13, 101 yds 1 TD
Rushing: Chris Wells 17 carries 109 yds 1 TD, Boom Herron 9 car 39 yds, Mo Wells 5 car 21 yds, Brandon Saine 2 car 8 yds, Terrelle Pryor 3 car 25 yds TD
Receiving: Robiskie 3 receptions 34 yds 1 TD, Hartline 3 rec 21 yds, Dane Sazenbacher 1 rec 11 yds, Taurian Washington 2 rec 19 yds, Ray Small 4 rec 52 yds 1 TD, DeVier Posey 1 rec 7 yds
Kicking: Pretorious 2/2, 3/3XP Pettrey 1/2, 1/1 XP Buchanon 1/1 1/1XP
Defensive notables: Laurinaitis 9 tackles, Freeman 6 tackles, Homan 6 tackles, Chekwa 1 INT, Wilson 3 tackles 2 sacks, Heyward 1 sack, Gibson 1 sack, Jenkins 4 tackles, Russell 1 INT