A week ago, Notre Dame followed that line talking about its next game with Alabama.
The players said nothing openly disrespectful, but they were not intimidated by confidence in their plan and the people who entered the Rose Bowl game that they lost 31-14.
The first stages of the week of the CFP national title game started a little more, say, vanilla in the talking game.
“I mean, I don’t want to go into details,” Ohio state linebacker Tuf Borland said on Monday, “but we talked about keeping them inside and keeping them ahead of us, and that’s certainly something that we’re going to have to do this week. “
The two teams had two players meeting with video conference reporters on Monday, a week before the game started in Miami Gardens. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith admitted that he had not yet started to watch Buckeye’s film on his podium shortly after noon on Monday.
“I’m kind of going to dig into it today,” he said. “I hope to get into it today and see some things that are interesting to us.”
Cornerback Patrick Surtain made a small forward reconnaissance in a Buckeye attack that is ranked 31st but is coming out of an explosive Sugar Bowl. Ohio State accumulated 639 total yards in the 49-28 defeat of No. 2 Clemson with quarterback Justin Fields throwing six touchdown passes.
“They are very delicate recipients,” said Surtain. “They have speed, vertical threats, but they also run great routes. It will be a challenge for us as a secondary and as a unit, so let’s watch movies about them and prepare ourselves as if we need to focus on their concepts and what they like to do. “
Running back Trey Sermon is another threat that has really surfaced recently. He has run 636 yards in the last three games – 193 of which were in the Sugar Bowl.
Sermon has a unique perspective on facing Alabama, as he was a running back for the 2018 Oklahoma team that lost to Alabama in the Orange Bowl semifinal. With the Sooners lagging behind big and early, Sermon’s role was reduced to nine runs for 19 yards with a touchdown.
“I still remember them being a tough physical team,” said Sermon. “I know at the time, I mean, they were flying around, which is what they do now. They fly through the defense. Another thing I can take with this game is that it passes quickly. It’s a great competition and the games really go by fast. You definitely have to run and just make sure you haven’t made any mistakes. “
Buckeye quarterback Justin Fields also has a bit of experience against Alabama. As a freshman in Georgia, he played a few plays against Crimson Tide in a loss in the SEC title game in 2018.
Fields is due to speak on Monday, but the state of Ohio said he would not be available until the end of the week. He was asked about Alabama in the postgame after defeating Clemson, but said he did not know who had won the other semifinal.
“It’s not surprising that they won there,” said Fields. “They have been playing very well this year. But they have a lot of excellent athletes and coaches. So, yes, I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to touch them. “
Other than that, specific observations were few.
Borland, the Ohio state linebacker, was asked about Najee Harris at one point in his Zoom.
“It has to be stopped in every move because it can hurt you,” said Borland. “He’s a bigger back, like you said, but he shows a lot of patience and a lot of acceleration when he wants to turn into the hole. Great challenge. He’s a great player. And a great offensive line too. I know that we will have to be ready for the challenge. “
Surtain was impressed with Fields, the seventh in the Heisman vote.
“His arm. He has a tremendous arm,” said Surtain. “He is also very accurate. He can put the ball where he needs it and he is very agile in his pocket. He is a virtual threat. He can beat teams in many ways with his arm and legs, so he’s a good player. ”
Fields ranks fourth nationally in percentage completion with 73.4 behind Alabama’s leader Mac Jones (77.0). The Buckeye quarterback had a season record of 385 passing yards to go with the six touchdowns and 78.6 percent completion in the victory over Clemson.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in Facebook.