Desmond Howard mocks Ohio State schedule, says Buckeyes 'took the whole month off'

With the non-conference schedule in the books, Ohio State will begin Big Ten play this week against Michigan State. It will mark the Buckeyes’ first game against a Power Four opponent, which led to some jokes from Desmond Howard on Friday.

Howard mocked Ohio State’s schedule on College Football Live, pointing out the caliber opponents the Buckeyes played. Their schedule ranks 131st out of 134 FBS teams, according to ESPN, as they defeated Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall by a combined score of 157-20.

Howard joked Ohio State took “the whole first month off” to start the season as the conference opener approaches. He expressed his surprise the non-conference slate was made up of Group of 5 opponents.

“During the week, I was doing my prep, and I said, ‘Hey, Marissa, I need you to look something up,'” Howard said. “‘I’m looking at the Top 25 ranked teams in college football, and I’m looking at Ohio State. Are they the only team that in four weeks, has not played a Power Four team?’ And she said, ‘Yes, Desmond, you’re right.’ So pretty much, Ohio State took the whole month off – the whole first month off – and now they play Michigan State. Finally, they’re playing a Power Four team. Going on the road, playing against a Michigan State team that defensively, they lead the conference in sacks and tackles for loss.

‘The trenches, watch that battle in the trenches. I’m not sure – I’m gonna have to ask Pete [Thamel] later on because Michigan State has lost at least three wide receivers early in the season. I don’t know who’s coming back. … But Ohio State, finally, welcome to the 2024 college football season up in East Lansing against Sparty.”

Desmond Howard’s thoughts generated a strong response from the panel of Thamel, Stanford Steve Coughlin and Jen Lada. But the former Michigan star and Heisman Trophy winner said he was just surprised at what the numbers showed.

“I’m just saying, they haven’t played anybody,” Howard said. “Week 5, and they have not played a Power Four team. That’s crazy.”

Things are going to ramp up for Ohio State as Big Ten play gets underway, though. The Buckeyes’ remaining strength of schedule ranks No. 18, according to ESPN, and includes three teams ranked in the Top 15 of the latest AP Top 25. The Big Ten slate officially begins Saturday in East Lansing against a revamped Michigan State team.