How did former Michigan WR and ESPN analyst Desmond Howard do against Ohio State?

Desmond Howard made his three seasons at Michigan count.

Before joining ESPN's "College GameDay" crew, the Wolverines wide receiver set or tied five NCAA and 12 Michigan football records from 1989-91, finishing with 2,146 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on offense along with three special teams touchdowns as the team's primary kickoff and punt returner.

After scoring 23 touchdowns as a junior in 1991, averaging 15.5 yards each time he touched the ball, Howard won the Heisman Trophy and was a first-team All-American for the Wolverines.

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Howard's 19 receiving touchdowns in 1991 remain a single-season record for Michigan. His 32 career touchdown receptions are third most in school history.

Desmond Howard never lost to Ohio State

Howard's dominance for Michigan's offense and special teams continued in the Wolverines' three matchups with Ohio State.

In three seasons, Howard never lost to the Buckeyes, with two games decided by double digits.

In Michigan's 28-18 win against Ohio State in 1989, Howard's only action was one 35-yard kickoff return. However, in 1990's 16-13 Wolverines win, Howard was one of quarterback Elvis Grbac's top targets, bringing in five catches for 73 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown reception.

Howard's Heisman moment came in 1991, capping off a 93-yard punt return against Ohio State with the famous Heisman pose, while adding three catches for 96 yards in Michigan's 31-3 win.

Desmond Howard thinks Ohio State vs. Michigan is a College Football Playoff 'elimination game'

Ahead of No. 2 Ohio State's meeting with No. 3 Michigan Saturday, Howard made his opinion clear that he feels only one team will be left standing in the College Football Playoff race afterwards.

Howard said on ESPN's "College GameDay" that this edition of "The Game" between the undefeated Buckeyes and undefeated Wolverines is an "elimination game."

"If Michigan loses, Michigan's out," Howard said. "There's no hope for Michigan."

Ohio State vs. Michigan predictions: Expert Ohio State football predictions for Michigan game

Howard also doesn't see a "backdoor way" for the Buckeyes to get into the College Football Playoff if it loses to Michigan at home.

Ohio State's first loss to Michigan since 2011 came in Ann Arbor to end the 2021 regular season, keeping the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game and the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State will host Michigan at noon Saturday on FOX.

College football rankings 2022

Here's a look at the College Football Playoff's fourth ranking of the 2022 season.

1. Georgia (11-0)

2. Ohio State (11-0)

3. Michigan (11-0)

4. TCU (11-0)

5. LSU (9-2)

6. USC (10-1)

7. Alabama (9-2)

8. Clemson (10-1)

9. Oregon (9-2)

10. Tennessee (9-2)

11. Penn State (9-2)

12. Kansas State (8-3)

13. Washington (9-2)

14. Utah (8-3)

15. Notre Dame 8-3)

16. Florida State (8-3)

17. North Carolina (9-2)

18. UCLA (8-3)

19. Tulane (9-2)

20. Ole Miss (8-3)

21. Oregon State (8-3)

22. UCF (8-3)

23. Texas (7-4)

24. Cincinnati (9-2)

25. Louisville (7-4)

Ohio State football's 2022 schedule

• Sept. 3: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10

• Sept. 10: Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12

• Sept. 17: Ohio State 77, Toledo 21

• Sept. 24: Ohio State 52, Wisconsin 21

• Oct. 1: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 10

• Oct. 8: Ohio State 49, Michigan State 20

• Oct. 22: Ohio State 54, Iowa 10

• Oct. 29: Ohio State 44, Penn State 31

• Nov. 5: Ohio State 21, Northwestern 7

• Nov. 12: Ohio State 56, Indiana 14

• Nov. 19: Ohio State 43, Maryland 30

• Nov. 26: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Columbus, Ohio, noon, FOX

Michigan football's 2022 schedule

• Sept. 3: Michigan 51, Colorado State 7

• Sept. 10: Michigan 56, Hawaii 10

• Sept. 17: Michigan 59, UConn 0

• Sept. 24: Michigan 34, Maryland 27

• Oct. 1: Michigan 27, Iowa 14

• Oct. 8: Michigan 31, Indiana 10

• Oct. 15: Michigan 41, Penn State 17

• Oct. 29: Michigan 29, Michigan State 7

• Nov. 5: Michigan 52, Rutgers 17

• Nov. 12: Michigan 34, Nebraska 3

• Nov. 19: Michigan 19, Illinois 17

• Nov. 26: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio, noon

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Desmond Howard's history in the Michigan vs Ohio State game