Former Florida coach Urban Meyer is looking forward to his latest challenge against the SEC competition: No. 4 Ohio State vs. top-ranked Alabama in a College football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1.

Meyer spoke with ESPN’s Rece Davis on Sunday live from Columbus, Ohio, after the CFP final four reveal coming off his first Big Ten championship in his third season with the Buckeyes (12-1).

Ohio State’s won 11 straight games and is 36-3 overall under Meyer since the offensive guru left Gainesville.

“I’ve just seen the highlights, but it looks like a typical Alabama defense,” Meyer said in prep for the Sugar Bowl. “The different area is offense. (They seem to be) spreading it out and throwing it a lot more. They had Julio Jones (when we played them) in 08 and 09 and this kid (Amari) Cooper is just as talented.”

Ohio State ranks fifth in the Big Ten this season in total defense at 328.0 yards per game, but is coming one of the most dominant performances in program history, shutting out nationally-ranked Wisconsin, 59-0.

Meyer will begin working on his game plan this week.

“I haven’t even watched a lick of tape yet,” Meyer said. “But I know Alabama is very balanced.”

Ohio State’s beaten an SEC team once all-time in bowl games, but that win (2011 Sugar Bowl) was vacated.