The secret weapon behind Ohio State’s red zone being the best in college football

Last season, Ohio State’s red zone offense was a mixed bag. The Buckeyes converted 43 of 50 red zone attempts into points, an 86% success rate. While that number is respectable, it wasn’t elite, and the team struggled at times to turn those chances into touchdowns, doing so on only 32 of 50 opportunities.

Quarterback Kyle McCord posted a passer rating of 189.8 in the red zone, with 19 passing touchdowns and no rushing touchdowns. Those numbers don't look bad, but McCord completed only 44.4% of his passes inside the 20-yard line, and his performance was inconsistent, contributing to Ohio State’s red zone frustrations.

Fast forward to this season, and the red zone has become a major strength for Ohio State, and much of the credit goes to new quarterback Will Howard. Howard has completely transformed the Buckeyes' offense inside the 20, bringing an efficiency and composure that was missing last year.

The numbers tell the story of Howard's impact. This season, Ohio State has been nearly unstoppable in the red zone, scoring on 97% of their red zone attempts. More impressively, they’ve turned 30 of 34 trips into touchdowns. Howard has been the driving force behind this improvement.

In the red zone, Howard has completed 76% of his passes (19 of 25), throwing for 13 touchdowns and 177 yards without a single interception. His passer rating in the red zone stands at an astonishing 307.1, the best in the country. And unlike McCord last season, Howard is a threat on the ground as well, rushing for 6 touchdowns in the red zone this year.

Despite his red zone success, Howard has gained an unfair reputation for not being able to throw the deep ball. Critics often point to his limited downfield passing attempts, but what they overlook is Howard’s ability to execute where it matters most: inside the red zone.

His precision, decision-making, and efficiency under pressure have been vital to Ohio State's offensive success. While some quarterbacks may thrive with flashy deep passes, Howard’s ability to deliver in high-pressure, short-yardage situations has made all the difference for the Buckeyes this season.

Will Howard has clearly made the Ohio State football team a better team in the red zone

The transformation in Ohio State’s red zone efficiency is clear. Last year, McCord struggled with consistency, posting only a 44.4% completion rate and being sacked twice in red zone situations. His inability to contribute as a runner also limited the offense’s flexibility near the goal line. With Howard under center, the Buckeyes have a dual-threat quarterback who excels both through the air and on the ground in tight spaces.

Howard’s impact can’t be overstated. Not only has he improved Ohio State’s touchdown conversion rate in the red zone, but he’s also added an element of unpredictability to the offense, keeping defenses on their heels.

Howard’s presence has shifted Ohio State’s offense from a good but flawed red zone unit to one of the best in the country. His poise, versatility, and accuracy inside the 20-yard line have been key to the Buckeyes’ success this season.

While he may not throw the deep ball often, Howard’s dominance in the red zone is what truly sets him apart and has made Ohio State's offense a more complete and dangerous unit.