"Will Howard is the worst QB remaining in the playoff": Emmanuel Acho fires shots at Ohio State passer ahead of Cotton Bowl

The College Football Playoff semifinals are just days away, and the spotlight is on Ohio State quarterback Will Howard — but not in the most flattering way. Fox Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho gave his take on coach Ryan Day’s QB1 for the game against the Texas Longhorns.

The former NFL linebacker said on "The Facility":

“Will Howard is the worst QB remaining in the playoff. I can confidently say this Ohio State has the worst remaining QB in playoff”

According to Acho, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard has shown more ability to carry a team.

Despite the criticism, Howard’s numbers tell a different story. The Buckeyes QB took his game to another level in the playoffs, recording 630 yards and five touchdowns across playoff wins against Tennessee and Oregon, maintaining a 70% completion rate.

With an arsenal of elite weapons, like wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, Howard has delivered under pressure.

While he may not be an out-and-out star quarterback like Heisman finalist Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Howard’s growth this postseason has been undeniable. Day and his men wouldn’t be in contention for the national championship without him.

Will Howard gets vote of confidence from CFB analysts

The Ohio State QB is winning over analysts as the Buckeyes look to defeat the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic. It wasn’t a fairytale season for the 23-year-old, but he battled through the lows and is now the talk of college football, with experts giving him a strong vote of confidence.

Former NFL quarterback Matt Simms highlighted Howard’s mental toughness during "The Wrap-Up":

“He’s human; he’s had his rough patches. But I love the mentality—he’s always ready to go, get better, and fight. That’s what it takes.” [05:57]

Howard’s recent performances have silenced critics, helping Ohio State dominate in the College Football Playoff. Analyst R.J. Young seconded Simms’ sentiments on "The No. 1 Football Show":

“Compare his stats to Quinn Ewers — he’s stomping out Quinn Ewers. Howard’s throwing for more yards, more touchdowns, and completing passes at a higher percentage.” [04:20]

Howard has 3,490 passing yards and 32 touchdowns to his name compared to Ewers’ 2,189 yards and 29 touchdowns. Ohio State fans hope Howard’s hot streak continues on the grand stage.