Too soon?
I don’t think so.
Let me start at the conclusion…I just put $100 on Howard for the Heisman. At +10,000 odds, that would pay just over $10,000 if he wins. If you have any inclination and $100 in disposable money, it’s a great bet. Let me explain.
First, lets back up…to now.
This team is rounding into championship form in multiple ways. They are not there yet, but individuals are starting to have breakout performances, and the scheme and execution are improving dramatically.
Will Howard is quietly #2 in college football at a 72.9% completion rate (Dillon Gabriel at 73.8%). The talent around him is settling in, and as this offense gets comfortable, it will be elevated as a whole, and Howard’s numbers are going to rival or exceed the numbers of other Heisman contenders.
The defense is elite, with a few hairbrained missed tackles and gaffes to allow people to doubt and even disparage it. They’ve not delivered a truly complete game, and when it happens, you will be picking your lower jaw up off the floor. Make no mistake, this is a NASTY team in all aspects of the game, with even the [once clown show] of special teams making meaningful contributions.
It’s still true that 7% of the OSU fan base can never be happy, and those are the ones who show up in open game threads. There’s something about saying stupid things freely and openly that must be invigorating for these ass hats. Even if their caterwauling is proven to be stupid by game’s end, they feel cleansed in their crying out in the moment, however woeful and…stupid…it may be.
Vegas expects Ohio State to beat Indiana by 11 points. That’s the Ohio State that gets mired in early game flimflammery, and wakes up a little before halftime and remembers it is a better team (AND more talented). The Ohio State that comes out fully focused on business sends Cignetti home with a humiliating tail peeking out from between his ass cheeks. But then, he probably shouldn’t have said that “Ohio State sucks”. I mean, it’s ok and all…just good football banter at the start of the season. Fine and dandy, Andy. You’ll be walking funny for a week with the reaming you have on tap.
Coaching. Will Howard is getting the best coaching of his entire career. His deep ball attempts are increasing, as is his accuracy. He is making some remarkable throws into tight windows, and hitting guys in stride. Yes, he’s not perfect, but he is becoming well-rounded and JT Barrett-wise in the RPO part of his game. Plus, he is not turning the ball over.
Howard is trending just under the trend, and with two upcoming great games, could absolutely vault himself into serious contention. I expect his odds to continue to improve (already went from +15,000 to +10,000), so I venture-capitaled that $100 on a hunch that a national champion Ohio State is also going to produce our first Heisman winner since Troy Smith.
If I’m wrong, it was a fun gamble. If I’m right…I will be rolling in a few extra Benjamins.
What do YOU think is the thing that turns this juggernaut on to Destructo Mode? I’m here for all of it!
Geaux Bucks!
