Last Minute Questions: Youngstown State

So what should Buckeye fans been looking for in today's game? Is it a glorified scrimmage or is there potential for a shocking upset? Better on the former, but a number of players out and Coach Tressel's demeanor, don't expect them to run the score up.

*How crisp will Todd Boeckman look? Great quarterbacks typically take a big leap in their second year of starting, and the Buckeyes will need that from Boeckman if they want to win the championship?

*How much work for Beanie? He's been held out a good deal during both spring and fall camps, and OSU needs him healthy for the season. But then again, Wells needs to get into game shape. And Heisman candidates need to have strong starts and good stat lines in games likes this.

*Who gets the carries once Wells leaves? You've got Mo Wells (seniority), Brandon Saine (speed on crack) and Boom Herron (great fall camp) chomping at the bit. Are their enough balls to go around?

*Just how vanilla will the game plan be? If history is any indicator, expect a double dip of vanilla with vanilla sprinkles. Ohio State should be able to win this game with their base offense and defense - no need to show any wrinkles at this stage.

*Will Ray Small continue his personal redemption tour? Once touted as a more polished WR version of Teddy Ginn, Small is well on his way to being the next Bam Childress. Practice star, oozing talent, but with no game day production. Here's hoping the speedy slot realizes his potential this year.

*How will Mike Adams, Mike Brewster and JB Shugarts look? The question of whether OSU's starting line has improved will not be answered until 9/13. But the most heralded offensive line class in Buckeye history should see the field today. Adams and Brewster have been limited by injuries, but we're excited to see the three on the field nonetheless.

*Who is this Terrelle Pryor character, anyway? I'm still reeling from the AP story that acted like it was news that Boeckman would be the starter, but that Pryor would play. Duh. Pryor's athleticism is undeniable, and I'd love to see one highlight reel run or pass. Of course, it's probably what College Gameday will show no matter what else happens.

*Will the defensive ends, sans Vernon Gholston, generate pressure? Today, for sure. But the Buckeyes have a lot invested in the health of beastly Lawrence Wilson and Robert Rose, both of whom struggled with injuries last year. Cam Heyward will continue to improve, but the coaches are hoping for a breakout year from Thaddeus Gibson.

*Much like the offensive line, the interior tackles won't be tested enough to determine if they can compete an elite level. But the rotation of Todd Denlinger, Dexter Larimore, Nader Abdallah and Doug Worthington needs to start fast and show the improvement from last year's debacles against Illinois and LSU.

*Blink and you'll miss the starting linebackers. Seriously, I'm hoping the score is sufficiently out of hand so Little Animal, Marcus Freeman and Ross Homan are out in the early third quarter. Keeping them healthy is the key, and getting a look at the talented second and third units is a bonus.

*Is anyone still alive in the secondary? Rock solid Kurt Coleman is hurt. Donald Washington and Jamario O'Neal are suspended. Eugene Clifford is now in Parts Unknown, Tennessee. Who's left standing, other than Thorpe candidate Malcolm Jenkins. Don't worry yet, there's plenty of young talent that needs experience, like Chimdi Chekwa, Devon Torrence, Jermale Hines and Aaron Gant. And a few old names - Andre Amos and Shaun Lane - might finally get a crack. The bigger question is whether the suspensions and injuries will prevent the unit from gelling before the USC game.

Final score prediction: Ohio State 44, Youngstown State 10.