The Miami Hurricanes are coming off of their first College Football Playoff win last week against the Texas A&M Aggies. They have had a wild last couple of weeks as they steadily climbed the College Football Playoff rankings and on the final week, they jumped the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the final at large spot in the tournament.

This game against the Buckeyes will be their toughest test, by far. The two losses on the year came at the hands of the Louisville Cardinals and the SMU Mustangs, both games the program completely gave away. Now, as they stare down Ohio State, they know the challenge at hand. 

Head coach Mario Cristobal took to the microphone first and had nothing but glowing things to say about the Buckeyes to start the week.

The Cotton Bowl Classic Is Set: Live Reaction As Ohio State Gets its Round 2 Opponent The Ohio State Buckeyes finally get their second-round opponent for the Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas on New Year's Day. The Buckeyes were off and watched th...

Question:  It's been a day, looking ahead to Ohio State, what do you guys think of them? And Jeremiah Smith, are you talking about this? And what in general have you seen from the Buckeyes' team?

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 (they)  have played some elite football throughout the course of the season.

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Question: With Jeremiah [Smith] and crossing his path on the recruiting trail, what stands out about him and the challenges affecting him?

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.

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Question: Similarly, what have you seen on film from 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

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Question:  Focused on the present, but has anybody from the '02 brought up that national championship?

Yeah, we're focused on the present. We're focused on the present. 

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Question: Just wanted to follow up on Jeremiah Smith. What do you remember about the process of recruiting him back when he was in high school?

Elite player. Great family. First class in the way he handled every part of it. 

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Just a few short days until the Buckeyes and Hurricanes take center stage on New Year's Eve.