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00:00 >> Coach, talking about this matchup that you guys are facing,
00:02 obviously a big offensive line on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
00:06 A mobile quarterback, what's the defensive line's role in kind of containing
00:11 Milroy to the pocket, not letting him get loose?
00:14 >> Yeah, it's a huge role that we have, obviously.
00:19 But it's everybody's role, really, the whole defense.
00:22 I think that our ability to contain him is gonna be a huge part of the game.
00:27 He's a very talented runner, very talented athlete.
00:30 >> Sure. >> We have a really big O line,
00:31 like you said, they can move people.
00:32 They do a great job of holding.
00:36 So like most offensive linemen do, but no, I'm just having fun.
00:41 But no, it's a really talented O line, very low coast.
00:44 And so they create a great challenge for us and our guys are excited about it.
00:47 >> As you've watched film of Alabama,
00:49 how have you seen their offensive line grow over the last several weeks?
00:54 >> Yeah, from where they started off to where they are right now,
00:58 you can tell the development they've gone through.
01:00 They've settled into who they are, who's gonna be playing,
01:03 who's starting across the front.
01:05 You can see where they see what they think their weaknesses are and
01:08 how they make up for it in certain situations.
01:10 So yeah, and now they've settled in at the quarterback where they've made
01:17 some of the greatest strides in terms of his development.
01:20 Tommy Reese has done a phenomenal job with him.
01:22 They've really skyrocketed their offense now, so
01:26 that's what makes them such a challenge.
01:28 >> Yeah, you mentioned Tommy Reese.
01:29 I think you guys were on staff together at Notre Dame for a while.
01:32 Talk about kind of going, matching wits with him a little bit,
01:35 I guess now going into this one.
01:37 >> Yeah, no, it's gonna be fun.
01:39 Tommy and I have known each other from when I first got to Notre Dame in 2010.
01:43 Tommy signed with Notre Dame as a player, so I was there for his whole career.
01:46 And then he went off and did some great things.
01:48 And he came back and obviously, I'll pass the ball over again as coaches together.
01:55 Ton of respect for him, great mind.
01:56 There's Coach Venter right there.
01:59 We have a ton of respect for him.
02:01 And the game plan we put together, we feel really good about.
02:06 Now we gotta go out there and execute.
02:07 >> Sure.
02:08 With a quarterback like Milrow, there's a delicate balance,
02:10 cuz you obviously wanna pressure him.
02:12 But if you flush him, then you might be in trouble.
02:14 So how do you balance that, and what's the coaching method there?
02:18 >> Yeah, that's hard, it's really hard.
02:20 Again, because they're so talented up front at OI.
02:23 And then the fact that he's a great passer, he's a great runner.
02:26 You wanna be aggressive, but if you're too aggressive and
02:31 he gets out, then it can be an explosive play.
02:33 So you have to try to find that balance.
02:37 You don't wanna play scared.
02:38 You don't wanna be afraid to let him out.
02:40 >> Sure.
02:40 >> Otherwise, then you're not getting any pressure on him at all, and
02:43 he's just sitting back there.
02:45 Teams that have done that, he's punishing.
02:47 He's a really good quarterback, really good passer.
02:50 So we're trying to find that great blend of that.
02:54 Don't wanna say exactly what we're playing, that wouldn't be smart.
02:57 >> Sure.
02:57 >> We have some really good players up front, should be a good matchup,
03:02 should be fun.
03:03 Listen, Jalen's gonna make plays, he's gonna make some plays.
03:05 You gotta minimize those.
03:07 The offensive line is gonna help him make those plays.
03:10 They're really talented.
03:11 And so we just have to make more plays than them.
03:13 >> Sure.
03:14 >> You've got about two days now until game day.
03:18 You guys have been in California for a few days now.
03:21 What's the level of readiness, I guess?
03:24 Just maybe personally, are you ready to get out there in the Rose Bowl and
03:27 get on the field, or is there more preparation that you're ready to-
03:28 >> No, the guys are ready, we're ready.
03:31 We're gonna continue to prepare.
03:33 But if the game was tonight or tomorrow morning,
03:35 nobody would be upset about it.
03:37 We're all, I imagine, on their side as well.
03:39 When you have this long of a break, thankfully it's the early kickoff.
03:44 Earlier kickoff than the other game.
03:46 Cuz there's nothing worse than sitting around a hotel after three weeks of
03:49 preparation, four weeks of preparation.
03:51 And then you still have to wait another four or
03:54 five hours to go on to the football field.
03:55 So everybody's ready.
03:57 It'll be fun once it starts.
03:59 And can't get here fast enough.