Joel Klatt Names Burning Question for Big Ten Powerhouse Ahead of Top Five Matchup

College football will witness the second top-five matchup of the 2024 season this Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, as the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes square off against the No. 3 Oregon Ducks in Autzen Stadium.

If this highly anticipated matchup is anything like Georgia-Alabama – the first top-five game of the season – we could witness another instant classic. Two undefeated Big Ten programs with a chance to solidify themselves as a College Football Playoff favorite.

Both Ohio State and Oregon came close to playoff appearances in 2023. National champion runner-up Washington crushed the Ducks' hopes in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Similarly, the Buckeyes' chances were thwarted by national champion Michigan in the Big Ten championship.

Both programs looked to the transfer portal this season for a quarterback. Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel leads the Ducks in his first season in Eugene, and Kansas State transfer Will Howard is in the midst of his first campaign as a Buckeye.

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes this will be a pivotal game for Howard, specifically regarding the Buckeyes' national championship chances. The Buckeyes have yet to be tested by a Top 25 team, but that will change this weekend.

"The question for me still with Ohio State is going to be Will Howard," he said on "The Joel Klatt Show." "I think Will doesn't have to be great. I think that he can be a game manager and go win a national championship with this group, to be fair. And we're going to find out the answer about how well he can play over their next three games."

Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, is coming off decisive wins over Michigan State and Iowa after beginning the season against Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. While Howard has played admirably, Oregon is his toughest test this season.

Howard, a fifth-year senior, sits eighth in the conference in passing yards (1,248), second in touchdowns (12) and fifth in completion percentage (71.5%). He will face a defense that ranks 18th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (162) and 11th in total sacks (16).

Klatt believes that Howard doesn't have to make spectacular plays to keep the winning streak alive and contend for a national title. Wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith Jr. provide a massive security blanket on the outside. Ohio State's No. 1 ranked scoring defense (6.8 points per game) also takes some pressure off Howard and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

The question is whether Howard and the Buckeyes' attack can withstand better competition. After taking on Oregon, Ohio State will face Nebraska (5-1) at home before traveling to undefeated Penn State.

Kickoff against the Ducks is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Per ESPN Bet, the Buckeyes are listed as 3-point favorites.

Related: Joel Klatt Calls Out Officials for Bailing Out ACC Powerhouse in Consecutive Weeks

Related: Cameras Catch College Football Staffer Making Physical Threat Toward Opposing Fans