Mario Cristobal quoted Nick Saban on how he built Miami football program

Nick Saban told Mario Cristobal during his appearance on ESPN College Gameday that he built Miami a special way on the line of scrimmage. Saban continued that "That is how you win games at the line of scrimmage this time of year."

Saban told Cristobal, "Your guys have done that tremendously in both games (during the College Football Playoff)...you have built the program that way." Cristobal responded to Saban, "That's one of the greatest lessons under you. You used to tell us...mass kicks ass."

Cristobal credited the players on Miami who have been with him since a 5-7 season in 2022 that included a blowout loss to Middle Tennessee State. Those players are the foundation for Miami and the team leaders and per Cristobal, "they sure as hell don't let people slip."

Miami has dominated the line of scrimmage against Texas A&M and Ohio State in its first two College Football Playoff games. The Hurricanes have 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in the first two games. Miami has rushed 63 times for 328 yards and one touchdown and allowed 10 TFLs and four sacks.

Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor dominance

Edge rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor have been particularly dominant for Miami. Bain has eight tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in the first two Miami CFP games. Mesidor has 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks combined against Texas A&M and Ohio State.

Mark Fletcher Jr. has had most of the carries for Miami in the first two CFP games. Fletcher Jr. has 36 carries for 262 yards and two receptions for 25 yards and a TD. At 6'3 and 225 pounds, Fletcher Jr. perfectly matches the physical style that Cristobal prefers to play.

Fletcher Jr. has re-established himself as the primary ball carrier for Miami after missing games against Syracuse and North Carolina State in November. Fletcher has been the best offensive player for Miami in the first two games of the CFP.