When Miami took down defending national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, it wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. A statement built in the trenches, forged over years, and rooted in a philosophy Mario Cristobal picked up during his time under Nick Saban at Alabama.
Cristobal, now in his third season leading the Hurricanes, joined ESPN’s College GameDay crew Thursday morning to break down the biggest win of his Miami tenure. Sitting across from his former boss, Cristobal gave credit where it was due - right back to the man who helped shape his coaching identity.
After being let go by FIU in 2012, Cristobal landed in Tuscaloosa as Alabama’s offensive line coach, part of what many around college football refer to as “Saban Rehab.” From 2013 to 2016, he soaked up the details that make Saban’s programs perennial contenders.
And perhaps no lesson stuck more than this one: *“Mass kicks ass.” *
That mantra has become more than just a saying - it’s the foundation of what Cristobal is building in Coral Gables. And against Ohio State, it was on full display.
The Hurricanes didn’t just beat the Buckeyes. They controlled them.
Dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Miami’s offensive front paved the way for a relentless ground attack against one of the most physical defenses in the country.
On the other side, the defensive line consistently collapsed the pocket, making life miserable for OSU quarterback Julian Sayin.
Saban, watching it all unfold, saw the fingerprints of a familiar blueprint.
“You really built this program a special way,” Saban told Cristobal on-air. “Your team on the line of scrimmage - whether it’s the defensive line or the offensive line - that’s how you win games this time of year. And your guys have done that tremendously.”
Saban pointed to Miami’s performance not just against Ohio State, but also in their playoff opener against Texas A&M. In both games, the Canes ran the ball with authority and controlled the tempo.
That kind of physicality doesn’t just show up overnight. It’s the result of years of recruiting, development, and a culture that prizes toughness.
Cristobal agreed - and pointed right back to his days in Tuscaloosa.
“That was one of the greatest lessons under you at Alabama,” Cristobal said. “You used to tell us all the time, ‘Mass kicks ass,’ right? So we did get some big, massive guys.”
But it’s not just about size. Cristobal emphasized the kind of players he’s bringing in - not just physically gifted, but mentally tough and emotionally invested.
Competitors. Leaders.
Guys who’ve been through the fire and come out stronger.
“The best part of our team right now are the guys that got here year one when we were getting our faces kicked in,” Cristobal said. “In 2022, we’re getting beat by Middle Tennessee.
We’re getting smacked around by teams by 30, 40 points. And they’re the foundation.
They’ve been through that. They’re great leaders.
They set the tone on a daily basis, and they sure as hell don’t let people slip.”
There’s something powerful about a team built from the bottom up - not just with blue-chip talent, but with players who’ve lived through the low points and stuck around to change the narrative. That’s the identity Miami is leaning into now. And it’s starting to pay off in the biggest moments.
Cristobal didn’t just bring a slogan from Alabama - he brought a mindset. One that says games are won in the trenches, that physical dominance still matters in a sport increasingly defined by speed and space. And against the defending champs, that mindset proved right.
Now, with a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, the Hurricanes are no longer a rebuilding project. They’re a force. And if they keep winning the line of scrimmage like this, they’re going to be a problem for anyone left standing.