Ohio State players continue to talk ahead of CFP game against Miami

Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald did not try to sugarcoat what he thinks is coming in Miami's College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

"Miami, they're a good team, ACC. But you know, it's all about us. I feel like the preparation I put in, I feel like I won't be blocked. Whatever they got for us, we coming."

Kayden McDonald

McDonald's confidence isn't coming out of nowhere as he has been one of the faces of a Buckeyes defense that is first nationally in total defense and scoring defense, and top five against the run. This year he logged 57 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles, and was named a unanimous first-team All-American.

The pre-game talk is nothing new to Miami

That's the kind of talk that Miami heard all week leading up to their first round matchup against Texas A&M. The Hurricanes beat Texas A&M 10-3 at Kyle Field, leaning on Mark Fletcher Jr.'s 172 rushing yards and surviving a game that was extremely physical. Miami was able to control the line of scrimmage after some players for Texas A&M were skeptical of what the Hurricanes could do in the trenches.

Also, Jeremiah Smith, who is arguably the best player in all of college football, added to the building narrative around the game during his media availability. There's been a bit of talk about the 2003 Fiesta Bowl that ended with Ohio State beating Miami 31-24 in double overtime for the BCS title.

"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."

Jeremiah Smith

Smith's comments showed the confidence that Ohio State has, and while each of the players — McDonald and those from Texas A&M — were very talented in their own right, Smith is on another level.

Miami will play Ohio State on New Year's Eve with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.