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Ohio State begins bid for another BCS title game berth

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:13 AM Youngstown St at No. 3 Ohio State, 12:00 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Based on Ohio State's performance in the last two BCS title games, most fans outside Columbus probably would prefer to see another team in college football's biggest game.

The third-ranked Buckeyes begin a quest for a third straight appearance Saturday in the BCS national championship contest when they host Youngstown State in their season opener.

Ohio State (11-2 last season) has been outclassed in its last two national championship game appearances, losing to Florida, 41-14, following the 2006 campaign and to Louisiana State, 38-24, last season.

But Ohio State is considered a heavy favorite to win a fourth straight Big Ten Conference title and could play yet again for a national title if it runs the table in conference play.

Saturday's contest is the second of back-to-back meetings against Youngstown State, the school Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel guided to four Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision) national titles before taking the Ohio State job in 2001.

The schools met for the first time last year, with the Buckeyes coming away with a 38-6 victory. Todd Boeckman completed 17-of-22 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in his first start for the Buckeyes.

Saturday's game also is the first of two tuneups against in-state schools before Ohio State heads to the West Coast to take on Southern California in a key early-season showdown on September 13.

Coming off a 7-4 season, Youngstown State was picked third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which changed its name from the Gateway Football Conference.

Jon Heacock, who replaced Tressel in 2001, has posted a 43-27 record in his six seasons at Youngstown State, including a semifinal appearance in the 2006 Division I-AA playoffs.