“Truth is stranger than fiction,” and boy, what a story Will Howard has written this season. It’s truly remarkable how the very same individual who faced skepticism has emerged as the leader of Ryan Day’s team, navigating them through every challenging twist and turn. Honestly, it’s still mind-boggling how he didn’t make it to the Heisman finalist list. But hey, let’s forget that for a moment because this win against Notre Dame is about to make up for it in a major way as the stakes are pretty high.

Well, it looks like Blake Ruffino just handed Marcus Freeman the keys to the kingdom on The Ruffino & Joe Show. He has effectively outlined the precise steps to achieve success against Ohio State, providing Notre Dame with a comprehensive guide on what to do and what to avoid. And who is the focal point of this discussion? None other than the star QB, Will Howard. Ruffino puts forward a straightforward argument, giving Howard ample time in the pocket transforms him into an entirely different force. If you allow him to survey the field, he will effortlessly dismantle your defense.

He said, “Texas what did they do in the second half? They started heating him up. I just don’t know if you can get home with four regularly enough to where you can’t start sending the Heat and the reason I say that Joe I’ll I’m going to talk about this on the post-game God forbid they win will Howard in the pocket with no pressure is a completely different dude like every other quarterback in the country. He’s just got dudes that he can throw the b–l to which makes it so much better.”

It’s not a vague statement, even though the Texas Longhorns lost to Ohio State by a 28-14 margin. There were many factors at play in that game.

To begin, the Bucks incurred nine penalties for a total of 75 yards, which significantly impacted their chances of winning. Additionally, Will Howard came dangerously close to throwing multiple interceptions. As the game progressed and Texas intensified their pressure, Howard ultimately threw an interception in the third quarter. Now, here’s the kicker: Notre Dame’s defense boasts the best turnover margin in the country, having forced 32 turnovers in 15 games. They might exploit his vulnerabilities if the Irish can replicate Texas’ pressure level on Howard. Applying defensive pressure will be pivotal in limiting his impact on the game.

Furthermore, a similar scenario unfolded against Michigan, as host Blake Ruffino points out, “I could say the same about Michigan.” Despite a strong start with four consecutive completions, Will Howard quickly lost his rhythm, missing five of his next six throws. By the end of the game, he only completed 19 of his 33 pass attempts, resulting in his lowest completion rate of the entire season at 57.6%. This statistic is a crucial indicator of his struggles under pressure.

Surprisingly, this is the same Will Howard, who threw for three touchdowns and over 300 yards without any interceptions or major mistakes against Oregon. His ability to excel in such a performance demonstrates that given time and space, he can be unstoppable. If Notre Dame aims to control the game and prevent Howard from reaching those impressive numbers, applying pressure on him is absolutely necessary.

However, he is not the sole player responsible for the offensive charge.

Will Howard’s fellow supporters

Take the Michigan game as a valuable lesson, and you’ll discover triumph, just like Chip Kelly did. The Buckeyes possess arguably one of the most formidable running and receiving units in the nation, and they showcased their dominance against the Vols and Ducks. Their offense was exceptional, leaving no doubt that stopping Ohio State is no simple task.

With such immense firepower, it’s evident that the Buckeyes’ offense is prepared to overpower any opponent.

Now, let’s shift our focus to Jeremiah Smith. This 18-year-old prodigy had an outstanding performance, securing 2 touchdowns and accumulating over 180 yards, making it his best game of the season. Honestly, he’s already performing at an NFL-caliber level. If you haven’t been paying attention to him yet, you should surely start to do it the next time. However, Smith isn’t the only weapon the Buckeyes possess, so don’t underestimate the rest of the team.

Additionally, Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson made significant contributions. Egbuka began with a remarkable 42-yard touchdown, setting the tone early on against the Ducks. Then, Henderson delivered an astonishing 66-yard touchdown run that electrified the crowd. In summary, with these players on the field, Ohio State’s offense is an absolute nightmare for any defense. Now, let’s see how Notre Dame fares against this formidable team.