Jeremiah Smith throws shade and sends message to Miami football ahead of CFP matchup

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith did not mince words heading into New Year's Eve.

With Miami fresh off its first College Football Playoff win in program history, the Hurricanes are now headed to Arlington, Texas, for a quarterfinal matchup with the Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is set for Wednesday, Dec. 31, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Jeremiah Smith fires the first shot ahead of Miami-Ohio State

Smith, speaking during Ohio State's Cotton Bowl media availability, took a direct shot at Miami. When asked about South Florida still talking about the 2003 national title game between Miami and Ohio State, Smith said, "They're still talking about it twenty years later. They're still worried about it, but we've got something for them come New Year's Eve."

That 2003 meeting was the classic, controversial Fiesta Bowl that ended 31-24 in double overtime, a game still argued about because of the late pass interference flag that extended Ohio State's first overtime possession.

Smith also leaned into the physical side of what's coming. Asked if he's worried about late hits in the Cotton Bowl, Smith said he's not, adding, "I'm probably the one that's going to be doing it too. I'm going to be a little chippy out there. I'm bringing it all this week."

Miami fans do not need a reminder that this team feeds on that kind of talk. Just last weekend at Kyle Field, the Hurricanes walked out with a 10-3 win over Texas A&M, a game defined by seven sacks, two interceptions and a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that finally broke the tie.

It was also the kind of win that makes bulletin-board material dangerous. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. wrecked the game with three sacks as the Hurricanes repeatedly got home on Marcel Reed, while the rest of the defensive line dominated.

During Texas A&M's CFP media availability last week, OL Trey Zuhn was asked what the keys were to slowing down Bain. He brushed off the question and said of Bain, "I don't think he is a threat that we need to worry about" and added, "We will be able to handle him." That response sparked a lot of talk, and after the game plenty of Miami players responded (in addition to what they said on the field).

There were other comments throughout the week as well, each from talented A&M players. But, none were on the level of Smith, which adds another wrinkle to the Cotton Bowl.

Miami is headed to the Cotton Bowl after proving it can win ugly, and win on the road in the playoff. Ohio State, the No. 2 seed, is next, and Smith's comments made it clear this won't be a friendly reunion.