Will Howard, Ryan Day not focused on lack of Heisman Trophy hype

Ohio State has had quite a few Heisman contenders over the years, and several have won. Archie Griffin won it twice in 1974 and 1975. Ohio State's last Heisman was in 2006, when Troy Smith led OSU to an undefeated season while throwing for 2,452 yards and 30 touchdowns.

OSU is no stranger to that type of attention as one of the biggest blue-blood college football programs in the country, but this season, quarterback Will Howard isn't really getting that type of hype. This, despite the fact that he's helped No. 2-ranked Ohio State to an 8-1 record with a win over No. 3 Penn State and a close loss to Oregon. (The Ducks are the current No. 1-ranked team but were No. 3 when they played Ohio State.) This, despite the fact that he's thrown for 2,237 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions while also rushing for six touchdowns.

No, the Heisman odds favor Colorado wideout/cornerback Travis Hunter, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, but Howard says he isn't sweating those types of things.

He was asked on Tuesday if he or any other Buckeye should be getting more Heisman hype.

“I try not to think about that stuff. I’m not worried about it,” Howard said, according to On3's Andy Backstrom. “As long as we’re winning football games and the Buckeyes are scoring points, I’m happy. I think all that stuff kind of takes care of itself. And if you focus too much on individual accolades, then a lot of things get cloudy. As long as I’m playing good football, grading out a ‘champion’ and taking care of the ball — that’s all I’m worried about.”

That's some great "coach speak" from a stellar quarterback, but it's worth noting that his head coach, Ryan Day, has the same message. At the very least, we know Howard is listening in that locker room.

“I think sometimes it can come down to statistics, which I think is unfortunate, but that is what it is. And I know that our team, we’ve had Heisman finalists before, this team is worried about winning, and that’s really the only thing they’re worried about right now," Day said.

With games remaining against Northwestern, No. 5 Indiana and Michigan in "The Game," Ohio State is virtually a lock to make the College Football Playoff and make a run as long as the Buckeyes keep the main thing the main thing. In Columbus, winning is all that matters.