Rueben Bain, Jr., if you’re reading this, I made it easy for you. Just go ahead and get your pencil and notebook and jot these things down before you hop on that plane for Dallas.
Yes, Ohio State is following the unwise approach that Texas A&M took and is talking loudly about the Miami Hurricanes in advance of the Cotton Bowl. A&M tried that, as everyone knows at this point. It backfired.
So, let’s get to what’s out there.
1) Jeremiah Smith
Most folks have seen this by now, but if you haven’t, here you go.
Oh, do ya now?
Look, Smith is an elite player. A sure-fire future first round pick and potential NFL All-Pro. He’s got the walk to back up the talk. But…why give anything at all there?
Smith also said he might get a personal foul in the game, because he sees it as getting chippy. Just know, sir, that one thing Miami does very, very well is put people on their asses. Ohio State might get the win, who knows, but you aren’t going to shoulder check/bully/outphysical the Miami Hurricanes.
Anyways, who’s next…
2) Kayden McDonald
The All-American Buckeye defensive lineman gives a positive nod to Miami, but then goes on to say “it’s all about us” and that “I won’t be blocked. Whatever they got for us, we coming.”
I also assume that he’s talking about back-to-back national championships in the CFP era, because there have been prior back-to-back champs.
But anyways, the Hurricanes’ offensive line might have something to say about that. They’ve been pretty damned good at putting hands on people and moving them. Ohio State’s defense is elite. There’s little doubt about that. Matt Patricia has done a terrific job this season.
But saying you can’t be blocked is silly. There will be plenty of times next week where McDonald will be blocked soundly. He’ll have his moments and make his plays, but being unblockable…yeah, I don’t see it happening.
3) Anthony Schlegel
If you’re saying, “who?!”, well, you’re not alone. The name was somewhat familiar, but I had to look him up. He apparently played for the Buckeyes around 20 years ago before spending two years in the NFL. And he says just look at the stats, and when you do that, Caden Curry is better than Rueben Bain, Jr.
Bain’s sack numbers have been a calling card for those who have tried to raise criticism about him late this year. Well, against a very good Texas A&M offensive line – one of the best pass blocking units in the country this year statistically – he posted three sacks and was regularly in the backfield. Bain has also posted 66 pressures this season to lead the team by a wide margin.
Curry is a hell of a player, by the way. A hell of a player. Has a bright NFL future. And I think he should have been a slot higher on the AP All-America team along with Bain.
But Bain has proven week in and week out that he’s arguably the most disruptive defender at the college level this season. And he’s proven he keeps receipts. Again, why poke that bear?
Any other notable comments, please feel free to post them in the comments. For now, that should be plenty of ammo for Miami players to keep in their phones and notebooks this week.
