Tim Tebow: Will Howard handling Ohio State expectations masterfully

Will Howard is playing at such a high level but he’s calm, cool and collected, according to Tim Tebow.

Safe to say, the former Heisman Trophy winner loves the way the Ohio State quarterback is playing, particularly ahead of a huge game against Oregon. The No. 2 Buckeyes travel to the No. 3 Ducks for one of the biggest games of the year.

But if anything, Ohio State might have the QB advantage, per Tebow.

“Well, I think he’s been handling this season with a lot of patience, not a lot of pressure, and there’s been a lot of pressure thrown on him, but he’s not playing feeling that pressure,” Tebow said on SportsCenter. “He is very calm, he is very cool, he is very collected. And you should be when you have Jeremiah Smith and Emeka (Egbuka) and TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and, oh, by the way, your play caller is Chip Kelly. But he has been so calm, cool and collected.”

This season, Howard has 1,248 yards, 12 touchdowns, three interceptions, a 71.5% completion percentage, 64 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

He hasn’t been forced into too many mistakes either.

“And I love the way that he has just been really taking what the defense gives him,” Tebow said. “I know we throw that around as a catchphrase, but that’s so hard to do when everybody’s expecting you to just go after the big play. But he’s not. He has been patient. You see, 12 touchdowns, three interceptions, they’re not even all his fault. And also four more rushing. 

“He is playing with such a calm, such a patience, letting the big play show up. And when he gets one on one with Jeremiah (Smith), then he’s letting it rip. But when they’re playing off coverage, he’s willing to be patient, and that is so hard for a defense to stop you.”

Howard didn’t mince words this week when it came to expectations. Ranked No. 2 in the country right now, he said national title or bust.

“I don’t think that conversation happens a lot, but I think we all just know,” Howard said. “And I think being at a place like Ohio State, I know that we say it’s natty or bust this year, but I feel like it’s really like that every year. Like it’s one of those places where you got to win them all, and it’s the standard man, and expectations are so high and I knew that coming in.”