Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is under significant pressure this season as his team prepares for the playoffs. In his six years as head coach, Day has yet to secure a national championship, and the Buckeyes have not reached the Big Ten Championship during his tenure. Adding to the weight on his shoulders is Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to archrival Michigan in The Game. Now, all eyes are on this season’s playoff performance, not only for Ryan Day but also for quarterback Will Howard, who shares the burden of expectations.
During a pregame press conference on December 17, Howard, who transferred from Kansas State, acknowledged both his coach’s faith in him and the importance of his leadership on the field. Referring to the recent Michigan loss as “hard,” Howard emphasized his role in sparking the team’s performance in their playoff matchup. “My ability to push this team and to lead this team in this game is gonna be crucial. And I know that. If we can maintain the edge that we had in that Indiana game and just come out there, I need to be the one that sparks that. I need to make sure that I’m bringing all that game and that’s gonna be crucial,” Howard stated.
Earlier that day, Ryan Day praised Howard’s confidence and ability to energize the team during his own press conference. Day made it clear that Howard’s preparation will be key to Ohio State’s success, saying, “He’s got a tremendous makeup. He’s very positive and the guys feed off of that, and he’s confident, and so he’s got to be himself, and his preparation will allow him to play confidently.” With the Buckeyes facing No. 9 Tennessee in the first round of the playoffs, Day has effectively placed their postseason hopes in Howard’s hands.
Although this is Will Howard’s first year as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, he comes to the program with impressive credentials. During his five years at Kansas State, he set notable records, including six games in a single season with at least 80 percent completion rates. In his first season with the Buckeyes, Howard threw for 2,860 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 131 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground. However, his real test will come in the upcoming playoff game, which could have major implications for the futures of both himself and his coach.
Howard’s mindset heading into the crucial matchup reflects his focus on faith and perseverance. When asked about the pressure, he explained that he relies on God to guide him through challenges. “I know that God is putting those obstacles in front of us to grow us, and there’s a reason for it. I’m going to just trust the plan,” he said. Reflecting on Ohio State’s painful 13-10 loss to Michigan, Howard acknowledged his mistakes, including two costly interceptions and an injury that forced him out of several plays. Despite the setback, he emphasized the importance of moving forward. “It hurt. It hurt for all of us. It wasn’t what we expected. It wasn’t what we wanted to happen but we’ve moved past it now. Because we have to. If we let them beat us twice, that’s the real kicker.”
Now, the Buckeyes must channel the pain of that loss into motivation as they prepare to host Tennessee at Ohio Stadium for the first round of the new 12-team playoff format. Whether Ohio State can rise to the occasion will depend heavily on Will Howard’s ability to lead and Ryan Day’s coaching under immense scrutiny.