Readers give Dispatch sports editor Brian White their takes on Ohio State football, the NFL, college basketball and more.

Will Howard never beat Texas when he played quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats. But he led his his new team to a thrilling 28-14 victory over the Longhorns on Friday in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His reward is a trip to the national championship game with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Kansas State fans base was relatively quiet the first half of Friday's game between Ohio State and Texas in the Sugar Bowl. And then they were awakened on the first drive of the third quarter. That's when former K-State quarterback Will Howard,

DALLAS -- Jeremiah Smith just his least productive game as a college football player and Ohio State still won by 14 points. Texas’ entire game plan was telling the Buckeyes that everyone but the freshman wide receiver was allowed to touch the ball. The result was only one three-yard catch as the Buckeyes had to look elsewhere for offense.

Football players are tough, and Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is no exception, especially as he pushed through playing in the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas on Friday night with a giant knot on his hand.

Ohio State football quarterback Will Howard is playing with a large knot on his non-throwing left hand in the CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal vs. Texas: