Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio State Buckeyes cruised to a commanding 42-17 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in their opening game of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night, showcasing a high level of play that could redefine their season. Quarterback Will Howard, in one of his top performances for Ohio State, successfully completed 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards, tallying two touchdowns and a single interception.
Howard’s connection with receiver Jeremiah Smith was particularly notable, as the duo combined for two touchdowns. Additionally, Howard executed a precise 40-yard pass to Emeka Egbuka, a critical play that set up a touchdown in the first quarter. For the most part, Howard displayed impressive efficiency and decision-making throughout the game.
Despite these highlights, Howard’s performance was not without its flaws. A questionable decision in the second quarter led to an interception when Ohio State was leading 21-0. Howard tried to force a pass to Smith in the end zone, resulting in a turnover that sparked a mini-comeback by Tennessee, cutting Ohio State’s lead to 21-10 by halftime.
While some might argue there was a missed pass interference call on the play, the interception underscored the risky decisions that have occasionally blighted Howard’s season. His playing style, brought over from his days as the Kansas State quarterback, sometimes undercuts his otherwise solid performances.
Though favored heavily in Saturday’s match and demonstrating clear dominance, such close calls highlight potential vulnerabilities. These issues come into sharper focus especially when considering the higher stakes awaiting in the upcoming Rose Bowl game against the Oregon Ducks, where a similar error could have more serious repercussions.
Howard has often been the subject of skepticism, even within his own team. Head coach Ryan Day’s delayed decision in naming him the starting quarterback at the season’s outset did little to quash these doubts.
The prevailing sentiment around Ohio State is fixated not just on winning games but on securing a national championship—a goal that remains alive following Saturday’s victory. Howard’s earlier season missteps, such as a critical error in the loss to Oregon and a shaky game against Michigan, only add pressure to perform without fault as the stakes heighten.
Looking ahead, Howard faces a significant challenge against Oregon on New Year’s Day, an opportunity to either solidify his reputation or add to his critics. His ability to lead his team in high-pressure situations remains an open question, one that the upcoming game could help answer.
With potential redemption in the Rose Bowl, Howard has the chance to prove his detractors wrong and possibly steer Ohio State to college football’s summit. Yet, as long as errors like the interception against Tennessee linger in memory, questions about his ultimate capability will continue to circulate.
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