Desmond Howard made his three seasons in Michigan count.
Before joining ESPN’s College GameDay crew, the Wolverines wide receiver set or tied five NCAA and 12 Michigan football records from 1989-1991, finishing with 2,146 receiving yards and 34 offensive touchdowns and three special-team touchdowns primary kickoff and punt return.
After hitting 23 touchdowns averaging 15.5 yards per touch in 1991 as a junior, Howard won the Heisman Trophy and was a first-team All-American for the Wolverines.
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Howard’s 19 touchdowns in 1991 remains a season record for Michigan. His 32 career touchdown receptions are the third most in school history.
Desmond Howard never lost to Ohio State
Howard’s dominance for Michigan’s attacking and special teams continued in the Wolverines’ three matchups with Ohio State.
In three seasons, Howard never lost to the Buckeyes, with two games being decided by double digits.
In Michigan’s 28-18 win over Ohio State in 1989, Howard’s only action was a 35-yard kickoff return. However, in the Wolverines’ 16-13 win in 1990, Howard was one of the top targets for quarterback Elvis Grbac, who had five catches for 73 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown reception.
Howard’s Heisman moment came in 1991 when he completed a 93-yard punt return against Ohio State with the famous Heisman pose while scoring Michigan’s 31-3 win with three catches for 96 yards.
Desmond Howard considers Ohio State vs. Michigan a college football playoff “eliminator”.
Before Ohio State’s No. 2 met No. 3 Michigan on Saturday, Howard made his point clear that he believes there will be only one team left in the college football playoff race.
Howard told ESPN’s College GameDay that this edition of The Game was a “eliminator” between the undefeated Buckeyes and the undefeated Wolverines.
“If Michigan loses, Michigan is out,” Howard said. “There is no hope for Michigan.”
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Howard also sees no “back door way” for the Buckeyes to get into the college football playoffs if they lose at home to Michigan.
Ohio State’s first loss to Michigan since 2011 came in Ann Arbor to end the 2021 regular season and keep the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game and college football playoffs.
Ohio State will host Michigan on FOX at noon on Saturday.
College football rankings 2022
Here’s a look at the College Football Playoffs fourth-place finish for the 2022 season.
- Georgia (11-0)
- Ohio State (11-0)
- Michigan (11-0)
- TCU (11-0)
- LSU (9-2)
- USC (10-1)
- Alabama (9-2)
- Clemson (10-1)
- Oregon (9-2)
- Tennessee (9-2)
- Pennsylvania (9-2)
- State of Kansas (8-3)
- Washington (9-2)
- Utah (8-3)
- Notre Dame 8-3)
- State of Florida (8-3)
- North Carolina (9-2)
- UCLA (8-3)
- Tulane (9-2)
- Ole Miss (8-3)
- Oregon State (8-3)
- UCF (8-3)
- Texas (7-4)
- Cincinnati (9-2)
- Louisville (7-4)
The Ohio State Football schedule for 2022
- 3 Sept:State of Ohio 21, Notre Dame 10
- September 10:Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12
- 17 Sep:State of Ohio 77, Toledo 21
- 24 Sept:State of Ohio 52, Wisconsin 21
- 1 Oct: State of Ohio 49, Rutgers 10
- 8 Oct:State of Ohio 49, State of Michigan 20
- 22 Oct: State of Ohio 54, Iowa 10
- 29 Oct:Ohio State 44, Penn State 31
- 5 Nov: State of Ohio 21, Northwest 7
- November 12th: State of Ohio 56, Indiana 14
- November 19: State of Ohio 43, Maryland 30
- November 26: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Columbus, Ohio, noon, FOX
Michigan Footballs 2022 schedule
- 3 Sept: Michigan 51, Colorado 7
- September 10: Michigan 56, Hawaii 10
- 17 Sep: Michigan 59, UConn 0
- 24 Sept: Michigan 34, Maryland 27
- 1 Oct: Michigan 27, Iowa 14
- 8 Oct: Michigan 31, Indiana 10
- 15 Oct: Michigan 41, Pennsylvania State 17
- 29 Oct: Michigan 29, Michigan State 7
- 5 Nov: Michigan 52, Rutgers 17
- November 12th: Michigan 34, Nebraska 3
- November 19: Michigan 19, Illinois 17
- November 26: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio, noon
