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Malik Zaire Critiques Will Howard Ahead of National Championship Showdown
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming national championship game, former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire has made headlines with his pointed remarks about Ohio State’s Will Howard. Despite leading the Buckeyes to a victory in the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Texas Longhorns, Howard’s performance has not impressed everyone.
In the semifinal, Ohio State edged past Texas with a score of 28-14, thanks to Howard’s efforts, where he completed 24 of his 33 passing attempts, accumulating 289 yards and throwing a touchdown pass, albeit with one interception. While some celebrate Howard’s achievements, Zaire took to social media to express skepticism about his capability to lead the Buckeyes past Notre Dame in the championship game scheduled for January 20.
Criticism Echoes from the Past
In a post on X, Zaire exclaimed, “All the great QBs Ohio State has had the last 15 years and Howard is definitely the worst one by far and O-State fans are trying to convince me that he’s gonna lead them to the chip?!?! Lmao ok.” He even humorously suggested he would prefer to see Jalin Marshall, a former Ohio State quarterback, on the field instead of Howard. Zaire’s comments not only challenge Howard’s skills but also reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the quarterback’s performance compared to previous Ohio State stars.
Furthermore, Zaire did not shy away from comparing the implications of team losses, pointing to Ohio State’s performance against Michigan earlier in the season as more troubling than Notre Dame’s early loss to Northern Illinois. “Ok let’s be honest, we got beat by NIU, that was embarrassing. But y’all got beat by Michigan for the fourth year in a row, at home as a 20+pt favorite,” he remarked, suggesting a distinction in the narratives surrounding each loss that may soon come to light in the championship clash.
A Championship on the Line
With aspirations for their first national title in the College Football Playoff era, Notre Dame faces the formidable challenge of overcoming a Buckeyes team known for its potent offensive plays and a robust defense. The Fighting Irish managed to secure their place in the championship by narrowly defeating Penn State in a thrilling semifinal matchup.
As for Howard, who has accumulated 3,779 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes this season after transferring to Ohio State from Kansas State, he will need to showcase his best form if he hopes to silence critics like Zaire and guide the Buckeyes to victory against Notre Dame.
The upcoming game not only holds the promise of a prestigious title but also serves as a battleground for narratives and legacies that have been years in the making in college football.
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