Former Notre Dame star fuels national title game hype with scathing criticism of Ohio State’s Will Howard

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish Star Malik Zaire fueled the build-up to the national championship game with harsh criticism of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on Saturday.

Howard led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff semi-final victory over the Texas Longhorns, 28-14. Howard was 24-for-33 with 289 yards and a touchdown. He also had an interception.

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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard walks off the field after the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (via Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network Imagn Images)

Zaire was not convinced that Howard would be able to do enough to overcome the Irish fighter on January 20th.

“Every great Ohio State QB has had it the last 15 years and Howard is the worst by far, and they’re trying to convince the in-state fans that he’s going to chip away?!?! That’s fine,” Zaire wrote on X . “I’d even take OG Jalin Marshall before Howard!!!!!!”

Zaire added that from Ohio State Michigan’s loss before the start of the College Football Playoff was more questionable than Notre Dame’s season-opening loss to Northern Illinois.

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Notre Dame’s Malik Zaire waves as he leaves the field after Notre Dame’s 45-27 loss to Southern Cal. (Robert Franklin via FTP)

“Let’s face it, it was embarrassing that NIU beat us. But Michigan won for the 4th year in a row, as a 20+ point favorite at home, planted the flag at midfield and won. After the game, as the coach watched… I have nothing to say about this Ohio State team,” he added.

Notre Dame will be looking for its first national championship in the College Football Playoff era, but will have to go up against a tough defense and an offense that has the ability to explode for big plays.

The Fighting Irish narrowly defeated Penn State in the semifinal matchup.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and defensive end Jack Sawyer celebrate after winning the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, 2025. (Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)

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Howard has 3,779 yards passing and 33 touchdown passes this season. He transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State.

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