What Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said about Ohio State

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will face Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve in a battle between two historic programs.

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal took the podium to deliver his first thoughts on the Buckeyes on Monday — after the Hurricanes went on the road and beat Texas A&M on Saturday to advance past the CFP first round.

Lettermen Row has everything Cristobal said about Ohio State below:

Mario Cristobal on his team turning immediate focus to Ohio State after beating Texas A&M…

“A mentality and resiliency of the team, they were awesome on their way in. And I credited them, credit to the guys in the locker room, the coaches in the building, the staff, really everybody’s involved, the training room, the strength and conditioning staff, everybody. Everybody has a hand in it. But I think we’ve done a good job wiring our program. That staff included as well, to talk a certain way, think a certain way. And I don’t mean robotic. I mean as it relates to processes, as it relates to being a competitor and what that really means. Especially as it relates to a sport that, I mean, will tear you down and break you down if you let it. And it’s going to demand of you your very best. And it’s going to demand that you respond in some situation that’s going to make or break your season. So that part is really exciting for me because I feel this team, in terms of challenges and throwing difficult scenarios and situations at them, is when I think we’re at our best.”

On what he thinks of Ohio State…

“Sure, they’re the defending national champions. They have elite talent, some really high caliber players. And you know, just about in every category offensively and defensively, they’re one, two, three, four, five in the country. They do a great job coaching. They’ve got great physical and mental toughness. And have played some elite football throughout the course of the season.”

On Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith…

“Well, he’s an NFL prototype player like right now. Probably last year. So I think him and the entire receiving core, they pose those type of challenges, big, explosive, fast, create separation, deep man coverage, find the soft sports in the zone, great blockers in the run game, play hard the entire game, complemented by a great quarterback and an offensive line that gives them plenty of time and has the ability to run the ball. They really run the ball right through people the entire season. And have been dominant. So again, they play like a team that’s the defending national champions.”

On Julian Sayin…

“Same thing. Very poised. Accurate. Buys time. Great pocket presence. Great decision-maker. Knows exactly where to go with the ball. So obviously, he’s very much in command of the system, doesn’t get frazzled. Big moments, has shined in big moments. Again, top-shelf. You know, Sunday player.”

On who has the advantage since Miami played but Ohio State was off…

“You can never tell. That’s gone back and forth in so many different ways over the years. And I think if you could put in a bottle and sell it, you would be a billionaire, man. The bye weeks and the extra time off, sometimes it’s been great for people, and sometimes it hasn’t. And then vice versa as it relates to playing. To each his own. However you use and it what you get out of it is what ends up showing up on game day, but I don’t think there’s an exact predictor of success or non-success as it relates to time off.”