Desmond Howard Critiques Ohio State, Texas After Season Opener

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a strong start to the 2025 college football season by defeating the top-ranked Texas Longhorns 14-7, showcasing their defensive prowess despite modest offensive stats. However, ESPN analyst and former Michigan star Desmond Howard criticized both Ohio State and Texas, stating that neither team played like a top-five program and expressing skepticism about preseason rankings in general. Howard also highlighted Ohio State's freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, acknowledging his poise but noting the offense's overall conservative and underwhelming performance. Meanwhile, Will Howard, a transfer quarterback from Kansas State who led Ohio State to a national championship before joining the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, shared that his transition to Ohio State was more challenging than his jump to the NFL due to the high level of competition at Ohio State. Additionally, Howard expressed confidence in the Michigan Wolverines' chances in the Big Ten, emphasizing the importance of in-game adjustments in their upcoming game against Oklahoma. These perspectives illustrate a mix of respect for Ohio State's achievements while also questioning the hype surrounding top-ranked teams early in the season.