In a recent appearance on Jon Gruden’s “Gruden’s QB Class,” former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard offered candid remarks about the Tennessee Volunteers’ pre-game conduct during their College Football Playoff matchup on December 21, 2024. Howard recounted that the Volunteers entered Ohio Stadium shirtless, a display he found perplexing and indicative of overconfidence. He remarked, “The funny thing is they came out with their shirts off and ran over to the opposite endzone and immediately put them back on. I was like, ‘What the f*** are these clowns doing, man?’ At that moment, I knew we had them.”
The Buckeyes capitalized on this perceived bravado, dominating the game with a 42-17 victory. Howard’s performance was instrumental; he completed 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s offense was particularly potent in the first quarter, establishing a 21-0 lead and setting a tone that Tennessee struggled to counter.
Reflecting on the team’s mindset, Howard emphasized the importance of playing with intensity and a chip on their shoulder, especially following a prior loss to Michigan. He stated, “We played pissed off, we played angry, and you could see it. And I think when we play like that, we’re hard to beat and we have to keep that same mentality.”
Howard’s comments have sparked discussions about the psychological dynamics of pre-game rituals and their potential impact on game performance. The Buckeyes’ decisive win over the Volunteers not only advanced them in the playoffs but also underscored the significance of mental preparedness and the pitfalls of overconfidence in high-stakes competitions.