During a recent appearance on Ben Roethlisberger’s Footbahlin’ podcast, Howard reflected on his 2024 season at Ohio State, including the bitter loss to Michigan and the contrasting high of winning a national championship. His comments didn’t go unnoticed, especially by national analyst RJ Young, who reacted passionately on The Number One College Football Show.
Howard’s message highlighted the emotional weight of The Game and raised questions about what truly matters most to Buckeye fans: beating Michigan or winning it all. Young’s response captured the growing pressure around the rivalry and the expectations surrounding both programs heading into another high-stakes season.
National Analyst RJ Young Reacts as Will Howard Drops A Message For Michigan Fans
Will Howard’s honesty caught the attention of Young, host of The Number One College Football Show, who broke it down bluntly: “That dude turned up to 11… but he couldn’t beat Michigan.” Young added that Howard’s comments reflect a growing tension; Ohio State can’t afford another loss to the Wolverines, regardless of postseason success.
Young emphasized how critical The Game has become in the playoff era. “There’s an entire class of Buckeyes who’ve never seen a win over Michigan,” he said. And that reality is starting to sting more than ever, especially as Michigan fans grow bolder with each win.
While Howard admitted his rivalry was more with Penn State growing up in Pennsylvania, he knew the stakes once he arrived at Ohio State. “You kind of understand this is what it is. It’s full-time. You’ve got to beat the team up north,” he told Roethlisberger.
Young also pointed out the growing imbalance: “Ohio State has the better roster, more talent… yet can’t win The Game.” For Howard to publicly own the loss and still say the national title trumps it? That’s a shot Michigan fans won’t forget anytime soon.
Will Howard’s Michigan Comments Spark Debate Over Championships vs Rivalry Wins
Howard’s remark, “Let’s not get it twisted. I got the ring,” sent a clear message: he knows Michigan won the battle, but he won the war. That’s a hard pill in Ann Arbor, especially after the Wolverines’ postseason collapse.
Still, Young countered that Ohio State fans don’t get to rest easy. “You’re not having fun unless one of those 11 wins is Michigan,” he said. Even a national title doesn’t silence four straight losses in The Game.
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This back-and-forth reveals a bigger question: what matters more? Beating Michigan or winning it all? For Howard, it’s obvious. But for many fans, especially in Columbus, losing to the Wolverines tarnishes everything else.
With Michigan’s coaching staff in transition and Ohio State reloading with top-tier talent, the 2024 showdown already feels like a breaking point. “You should be prepared for the run to come to an end,” Young warned Michigan fans. And with Howard’s words still echoing, the countdown to November just got a whole lot louder.
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