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.