College Football Playoff Player Props, Tips and Odds

Will Howard hasn’t been playing as well as Ohio State Buckeye fans had hoped lately.

The senior quarterback is coming off his worst game of the year heading into Saturday’s game against Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Howard was subbed twice during the Buckeyes’ embarrassing 13-10 loss in Columbus, ending their hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game.

During the game, Howard completed just 56.7 percent of his passes (19 of 33), his lowest rate this season.

He only managed 176 yards through the air, which was also a season low.

And he hasn’t been exactly thrilled lately.

Against Indiana a week earlier, Howard threw for just 201 yards with one interception.

Previously, Howard outscored Northwestern and Purdue – hardly two of the better defenses in college football – and threw for 253.5 yards per game over that stretch.

But against Penn State, a pass defense juggernaut, Howard threw for just 182 yards and completed two-thirds of his passes.

All of this leads to Saturday’s contest against the Volunteers, who arguably have the best defense he’s faced to date.

This season, Tennessee allowed just 278.3 total yards per game, the fourth fewest in the country, and 178.7 passing yards, the 17th fewest.

Betting on college football?

Still, oddsmakers expect Howard to have one of his best games of the year through the air, with his passing yards over/under estimated at 241.5.

Howard has struggled to reach that number of late, going over it in just three of his last eight games, including against the aforementioned weak defenses of Purdue and Northwestern.

The Play: Will Howard is projected to have fewer than 241.5 passing yards (-120, Caesars Sportsbook)