When fans checked the stat sheet on Saturday night, many were stunned to see Will Howard’s numbers. The quarterback surpassed 300 passing yards—a feat he hadn’t achieved since his first meeting with Oregon earlier in the season. His 326 yards against the Ducks remain his season high, narrowly edging out the 311 yards he posted against Tennessee. While his performance was more than enough to dismantle the Vols, it wasn’t sufficient to overcome Oregon in their prior matchup.
This time, with the rematch taking place at a neutral site in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, Howard is poised to deliver another standout performance. Expect him to notch his third 300-yard game of the season and his second consecutive outing with those numbers as he aims to propel the Buckeyes into the semifinals.
Will Howard Accounts for Four Total Touchdowns
This game has all the makings of another instant classic, much like the first meeting between these two teams. Both squads scored over 30 points in that game, and fans should expect similar fireworks this time around. The prediction here is that Howard will account for at least four total touchdowns, using both his arm and his legs.
Howard has only achieved this milestone twice this season. His standout effort came in a dominant 35-7 win over Iowa, where he threw for four touchdowns and added one on the ground. His other four-touchdown performance occurred during a 45-0 rout of Purdue, with three passing scores and one rushing touchdown. In a game of this magnitude, Howard is expected to rise to the occasion and deliver another multi-touchdown masterpiece.
Will Howard Throws at Least One Interception
Despite his impressive track record, Howard has not been immune to turnovers. He has played five games this season without a single turnover, demonstrating his ability to protect the football. However, even in Saturday’s strong showing against Tennessee, a tipped pass led to an interception. For the most part, Howard has been reliable, throwing multiple interceptions in only one game this season—against Michigan.
Oregon’s defense, which has recorded 18 takeaways this year, including 12 interceptions, presents a much stiffer challenge than Tennessee’s. The Ducks’ aggressive defense is likely to pressure Ohio State’s offensive line, forcing Howard into at least one mistake in this high-stakes rematch.
Will Howard and Ohio State Beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl
The Ohio State team that dominated Tennessee on Saturday had every reason to falter. Between the frigid weather, the noticeable presence of Tennessee fans in the stands, and the lingering disappointment from their loss to Michigan, the odds seemed stacked against them. Yet the Buckeyes rose to the occasion, playing at an elite level with Howard leading the charge.
If that same team takes the field against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, they won’t just have the capability to beat the Ducks—they’ll emerge as a legitimate threat to any team in the College Football Playoff. Howard and the Buckeyes are poised to secure the win and advance to the semifinals.
