October 30, 2001
How do you feel about going into Lubbock and playing against a team that has given you problems in the past?
"It has nothing to do with Lubbock. It is our guys against their guys. We either win the game or we don't win the game. That is the way I see it and that is the way it is going to be. I have a lot of respect for their football team. They are a good team. We will see which group of guys will show up on Saturday and we will just go out there and play our football game."
Can you talk about the feelings some of the guys have about the '99 game?
"I want them to be aware of the climate when we show up to Tech. They (Texas Tech fans) treat it as the biggest game of the season when us or Texas show up in Lubbock. I hope our guys remember some of the memories from that game, because I sure do. We are about to get into a real dog-fight."
What is exciting about this time of the season?
"In coaching you'd like to be in November and still be in the middle of things. I'd like to think you gain a little momentum from your fans when everyone around knows that you have something riding on it. This week we have Tech, then we go to Norman and after that Texas comes in town and then fans all know what has to be done. I talk to the NFL guys and they say one of the most challenging times as a coach is when you are trying to coach when they know their teams are out of the race. On the other hand some of those teams that do hang on and get to the playoffs have special things happen to them. You never know what will happen if you keep plugging away and put yourself in the position to make the playoffs. Obviously this is a high pressure ball game this week. So is the next one and then the same with the Texas game. Many football teams do not have the luxury of playing games like these where there is still something to play for."
Has this season been one of the more satisfying teams you have coached?
"We have not had any ego problems on this team. I have not had one discipline problem in my office. We just show up to play and from that standpoint it has been rewarding and lots of fun. The whole Colorado thing hurt me because I thought they really deserved to win that one, but they turned around and won the game the next week without holding onto the loss. This team has also done a great job of staying with an even temperament. With the way we have been winning games I guess it would be hard to get satisfied. When I say, 'guys it is time to back to work this week and get better,' they have been right there with me and feel that same way. I have had teams in years past where I have had better teams, but it seemed like I was constantly putting out fires and grinding through the little things to get everyone on the same page. This year has not at all been that way."
How do you feel about facing Kliff Kingsbury?
"I think he is a tough guy. He is a big guy. I remember Brian Gamble hit him hard in the backfield on a blitz and he took the hit and ended up making a great pass. I respect his toughness and think we will be facing a really tough quarterback this weekend."
Is their offense changing from week to week?
"The numbers of different kind of plays they run vary from game to game, but they pretty much stick to the same kind of offense. It will be a good test for us since we play against Oklahoma next week. It should serve as a trial and error for us as far as finding different match-ups to see if they will work certain ways."