Nov. 18, 2002
On Kansas State~ I don't know if there is a team playing right now at all levels, offense, defense, and kicking game, with the efficiency they are right now. They're pretty impressive. Statistically, if you looked how they're ranked in the league, they are at the top level in almost every single area. Nationally, they are ranked very high. They've just completely dominated the last five football games. So, if you are talking about a team peaking as the season goes on, that would be Kansas St. Coach Snyder has done a great job. On top of that, they have a lot of talent that has a lot of speed and quickness. They're a pretty impressive team to watch. As always, this will present a huge challenge to our football team.
On the chance of becoming bowl eligible~ Everyone of our players know that we can become bowl eligible. That's awfully important to them and the program. It's a statement. That being said, anymore wasted thought on that and not preparing for the football team we are going to play is ridiculous. Our whole focus is on preparation. We're going to have to play at our very, very best. Obviously, everyone knows about it, and it's a waste of time talking about it because the game is where the focus must be.
On this years seniors~ I'm really pleased with the seniors. Those guys have been through a lot. They've got a lot of...I don't know if baggage is the proper term. They've been through a lot here, and a lot of it has not been good. I meet with the seniors and captains every week and we talk often when we get into November how things in the past happened; how they've been out of the bowl picture real early. Things were not real positive. And, I don't think that anything unique was going on. I think that is just standard. That's normal. This has been difficult for them. They've had to come into a program in the midst of change. That's why that win over Texas A&M was so big. They've bought into everything we're doing, even though they're only going to be here for a short time. Hopefully, they are going to see dividends that the price that they paid these years that were with this program, as alumni, they're going to be able to appreciate it down the road. Certainly, that win against Texas A&M gave them some hope.
On when you know a young kid is ready to start~ I don't think you know sometimes. Just like with Brad Smith in the first game of the year. I didn't know. We started six red shirt freshmen against Texas A&M Saturday. I don't think you know. I think they did some good things in practice, and I think we needed to shake some things up a little bit. I thought A.J. Kincade played pretty good. He gave up that one big play, and in the three pass interference penalties, he was being too aggressive. And you know what, that's not that bad of a mistake. His timing was just a little bad, but he wasn't afraid to go in there and mix it up. Certainly, for him, you got to understand. For a first start, in that environment, I thought he did some really good things. But, I don't think you ever really know.
On whether or not Kansas State or Missouri has momentum going into Saturday's game~ I really don't evaluate that. I'm always concerned about my team. I don't ever look at the other team. I think it is wise in our business and its really important for our football team in preparation to learn how to prepare, and if you get players to start analyzing where a team's psyche is going to be, that's not good. That's something we're trying to get away from around here. You have to respect your opponent. You assume Kansas State is going to come in at their very best, which I think we will. That's what great competitors do. A great competitor assumes they are going to get their very best.