Will Howard might be playing in The Game for the very first time, but he sounds well-versed in what the rivalry means.

Howard transferred to Ohio State after 4 years at Kansas State for moments like Saturday, when the Buckeyes will host Michigan with everything imaginable on the line. When asked on Tuesday about the rivalry, Howard elevated the matchup to much more than that, if it were possible to do that.

“This is definitely the biggest rivalry game I’ve ever played in,” said Howard when asked if anything compared to The Game at Kansas State. … “It’s not really a rivalry, it’s more like it’s a way of life.”

Howard said he’s gotten a feel for the rivalry not just this week but as the season has progressed, and “how deep it runs and how deep it cuts.”

This particular Michigan-Ohio State game will also be a chance for the Buckeyes to snap a 3-game skid in The Game, with a College Football Playoff berth possibly hanging in the balance. And even though the Wolverines are only 6-5, they’re the defending national champions, a title that Howard wants to help Ohio State earn by the time the dust settles in January.

Howard heard about not wearing blue in the building and the “M word” and everything playing Michigan means. On Saturday when the rivals kick it off at noon ET on FOX, he’ll finally get to experience a rivalry like no other.