Quarterback Showdown: Will Howard vs. Quinn Ewers in the Cotton Bowl Classic
As the Cotton Bowl Classic approaches, all eyes are on two standout quarterbacks: Will Howard of Ohio State and Quinn Ewers from Texas. This season, both players have established themselves among the elite QBs, alongside notable names like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.
Will Howard has been instrumental in leading the Buckeyes to an impressive 12-2 record, throwing for 3,490 yards, 32 touchdown passes, and achieving a QBR of 87.3. This performance places him among the top quarterbacks of the season, with the second-best QBR in the league.
On the other hand, Quinn Ewers, despite a lower QBR of 76.1 which ranks him 20th among his peers, showcases a unique advantage in high-pressure situations. Ewers has demonstrated his ability to perform against tough competition, accumulating 1,520 passing yards and 11 touchdowns against AP Top 25 teams, compared to Howard’s 709 yards and 6 touchdowns in similar matchups.
Adding tension to this matchup is the fact that Ewers is a former Ohio State recruit who briefly joined the Buckeyes before transferring back to his home state of Texas due to limited playing opportunities. This adds a personal edge for Ewers as he looks to prove his former team wrong while showcasing his skills on a bigger stage.
The matchup’s anticipation is reflected in ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, which gives Texas a slim edge with a 50.8% chance of victory in the Cotton Bowl. However, the betting odds tell a different story, favoring the Ohio State Buckeyes at -250, with the Longhorns sitting at +195. This discrepancy highlights the contrasting paths both teams have taken to reach this point. The Buckeyes enter the game in strong form, having decisively defeated opponents like Oregon (41-21) and Tennessee (42-17). Meanwhile, the Longhorns have faced a series of close calls that raise questions about their consistency.
As the Cotton Bowl draws near, it appears that Will Howard and the Buckeyes are in a strong position to make a run for the finals, unless Quinn Ewers can deliver a standout performance that shifts the narrative.