The Ohio State football program will face Miami in the Cotton Bowl in just over a week. It will be the first time these two have faced off in a postseason game since the epic 2003 Fiesta Bowl. That game was for a national championship, something that Hurricanes fans still haven't gotten over.
This is a game that Jeremiah Smith wants to win badly. This is his hometown team, and he certainly made it well-known on social media how badly he wanted to win. He's not the only guy on the Ohio State Buckeyes' roster who wants to take down the Hurricanes a little extra.
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is someone who really wants to take down Miami. He has some extra motivation to beat the Hurricanes and end their season, something he detailed to the media on Monday night during his media availability.
Ohio State DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. details his motivation to beat Miami
Jackson Jr. let everyone know that his family grew up Miami fans, signaling that he has some extra motivation to send the Hurricanes home sad. His uncle played for the Hurricanes, so it makes sense that his family grew up rooting for Miami. His family will now be rooting for the Buckeyes.
Right now, the Buckeyes are big favorites over the Hurricanes. By the time the game will kickoff, they will have had three weeks to prepare for the Cotton Bowl. With that much time to prepare, Ohio State's defense will likely be able to suffocate the Miami offense.
Miami only managed 10 points against Texas A&M. Ohio State doesn't even allow that many points. Jackson Jr. is going to make sure that he makes a positive impact on this game, especially when it comes to rushing the passer. Perhaps they'll finally call holding calls on offensive lineman bringing him down.
Ohio State feels great about its shot to win the game. Winning this game would give the Buckeyes a date with the winner of the Georgia/Ole Miss game.