"They really didn't know what they had early in the season": Desmond Howard questions the level of Ohio State's roster ahead of Penn State clash

Desmond Howard offered his perspective on Ohio State's recent challenges on the field on Tuesday. The college football analyst, who had his college career at Michigan, attributed their struggles to overly high expectations and early-season dominance over lesser competition.

Howard suggested that the Buckeyes may have been lulled into a false sense of security by their initial success, which is now catching up to them as they face tougher opposition.

Ohio State has in recent weeks suffered a loss to Oregon and struggled to seal a win over Nebraska.

"I kind of look at Ryan Day and his staff like they really didn't know what they had early in the season,” Desmond Howard said Tuesday on ‘ESPN College Football Live.’

"They have big-name talents, right. They brought in (Quinshon) Judkins, they brought in Will Howard, they brought in Caleb Downs, big-name talent. But you get a false impression of how great you are when you're going up and down the field against inferior opponents.”

Ohio State travels to University Park this weekend to face the undefeated No. 3 Penn State. This will be the Buckeyes’ second top-five game of the season after Oregon, and a loss is likely to rule them out of contention for the Big Ten championship game.

Desmond Howard expected a stronger Ohio State after the bye week

Following the loss to Oregon in Week 8, Ohio State embarked on a bye week and resumed action in Week 9. Desmond Howard had expected to see the Buckeyes much stronger following the break. However, they were unimpressive against Nebraska in Columbus last weekend.

Ohio State found themselves in a tough spot late in the fourth quarter against Nebraska this past Saturday, down 17-14 after the Huskers claimed their first lead of the game. However, a Will Howard touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins with 6:08 left on the clock handed the Buckeyes the crucial win.

"I thought, coming out of the bye week, we would see a better performance, but then Nebraska gave them all that they could handle, too," Howard said while speaking further on Tuesday.

“And, to be honest, Nebraska, talent-wise, isn't on the same level as Ohio State. When you look at recruiting and you look at the $20 million they spent during the offseason to bring the talent in.”

Desmond Howard does not hold much confidence in the Buckeyes ahead of their encounter with the Nittany Lions. James Franklin’s team is undefeated so far this season and will be looking to move closer to sealing a spot in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.