Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout Malik Zaire has stirred up anticipation for the upcoming national championship game by delivering pointed criticism of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. Howard, instrumental in the Buckeyes’ recent College Football Playoff semifinal triumph over the Texas Longhorns with a score of 28-14, showcased his skills by completing 24 of 33 passes for 289 yards along with a touchdown pass, despite also throwing an interception.
Zaire expressed skepticism about Howard’s ability to lead Ohio State to victory over the Fighting Irish on January 20. In a statement on X, Zaire opined, “All the great QBs Ohio State has had in the last 15 years, and Howard is definitely the worst one by far. Ohio State fans are attempting to persuade me that he will guide them to the championship?!?! Laughing my a** off, okay.” Zaire even humorously suggested that he would prefer to have Jalin Marshall, a former Buckeyes wide receiver, playing quarterback over Howard.
Further, Zaire pointed out Ohio State’s recent loss to Michigan, which occurred prior to their participation in the College Football Playoff. Zaire juxtaposed this defeat with Notre Dame’s earlier loss to Northern Illinois, asserting, “Okay, let’s be honest, we were defeated by NIU, which was embarrassing. However, you were defeated by Michigan for the fourth consecutive year, at home as a 20+ point favorite. The opposition even planted a flag in the middle of your field and physical altercations ensued after the game while your head coach observed… laughing my a** off, you have no grounds to lecture me about this Ohio State team.”
In the pursuit of their first national championship during the College Football Playoff era, Notre Dame faces the challenge of confronting a formidable defense and an explosive offense capable of producing significant plays. The Fighting Irish narrowly overcame Penn State in their semifinal clash. Meanwhile, Howard has amassed 3,779 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes throughout the season, having transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State.
Zaire’s remarks have added fuel to the fire of the national title game hype, setting the stage for an intense showdown between the Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes. Fans eagerly anticipate witnessing whether Howard can live up to the expectations placed upon him and lead Ohio State to victory. The outcome of this matchup will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the College Football Playoff and leave a lasting impact on both teams and their legacies.
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