The phrase comes up in most college football press conferences:
"Coach, can you talk about ... ."
We took that broad question and went to Big 12 coaches to ask for their honest assessments on the hottest topics for each conference team.
Here's an unfiltered -- and anonymous -- breakdown of how opponents view their conference brethren (presented by predicted order of finish):
Big 12
Oklahoma Sooners
Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are one of only six returning Power 5 running back tandems that rushed for at least 2,000 yards last season. Coach, can you talk about the two running backs?
"I think Mixon is still behind Perine in production and physicality. When OU needed something, it was Perine who was getting the ball. But if Mixon can close the gap between the two, watch out." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Last season QB Baker Mayfield led the country in passing efficiency late in games, completing a sizzling 71.2 percent of his passes in the second half and overtime. Coach, can you talk about Mayfield?
"The mentality that he brings rallies up the whole team. Sometimes he doesn't do it the way you'd draw it up, but he gets the job done. He's got good enough skills to make people miss when he runs, and he throws the ball accurately. A dangerous quarterback." -- Big 12 offensive coach
The Sooners had the only defense in the Big 12 that finished with more interceptions (20) than TD passes allowed (19). Zack Sanchez, however, had seven of those picks. Coach, can you talk about Oklahoma's secondary?
"I know they lost a big-name guy [Sanchez], but I think their defensive back unit will still be very strong again. They have one terrific corner [Jordan Thomas] coming back, and they do a great job developing defensive backs. The scheme they run, it helps that, because they're very aggressive; they'll sit on routes." -- Big 12 head coach
Oklahoma State
QB Mason Rudolph passed for 352 yards and five TDs in a win over TCU, but road games at Texas and West Virginia (one TD, five picks) showed that Rudolph's arm might be suspect. Coach, can you talk about Rudolph?
"He's a good player, but he doesn't scare you. I don't think he's dynamic like, say, the kid at Texas Tech [Patrick Mahomes]. He's a pocket passer and he doesn't have a cannon. He's not Brandon Weeden, even if they want him to be." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Oklahoma State has forced 75 turnovers since Glenn Spencer took over as defensive coordinator in 2013, ranking third in the conference. Coach, can you talk about attacking the Oklahoma State defense?
"You have to do a good job of deciphering coverage. Glenn will do some different things, like go with a prevent look on second-and-10, so you have to do a good job in practice, because you never know what you're going to get." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Rudolph helped OSU get out to a 10-0 start last season, but the Cowboys lost to Baylor and Oklahoma after he hurt his foot and then suffered a third straight loss to Ole Miss in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Coach, can you talk about how Oklahoma State can be less reliant on Rudolph?
"You know [Rudolph] is a competitor because he makes big plays when they need them. They won so many close games. You have to give him credit, because he didn't have a consistent running game. The key for him this year is they have to develop a running game. He needs help." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Baylor Bears
(Editor's note: Interviews were conducted before coach Art Briles was fired.)
Fired coach Art Briles' offensive system has always caused problems, but it became nearly impossible to stop when he began landing NFL-level athletes. Coach, can you talk about the overall talent in the program?
"They're getting in the same game as Oklahoma and Texas. They've recruited well. People don't like to hear it, but it's the truth. Offensively, their talent is as good as anyone's. Defensively, they're probably a few classes behind." -- Big 12 head coach
The result of the talent increase has been an offense that has averaged an FBS-best 3.24 points per drive and 7.18 yards per play since 2011. The Bears' 1.11 points per drive and 3.53 yards per play on a sloppy, muddy field in a driving rainstorm against TCU a year ago were Baylor's lowest marks during that span. Coach, can you talk about trying to match Baylor's offense?
"You kind of know you have to score more. I guess the only way to stop them is chilly weather and a monsoon." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Corey Coleman, the 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner, left early for the NFL, but junior KD Cannon easily slides into the No. 1 wideout spot. In his first two seasons, he caught 108 passes for 1,898 yards (17.6 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. Coach, can you talk about facing Cannon?
"He has size, speed and strength. He kind of reminds me of the way Justin Blackmon used to be at Oklahoma State, the way he can kind of control a game. He will seem quiet, then you look up and he's over 100 yards." -- Big 12 head coach
West Virginia Mountaineers
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has a 3-3-5 system built for the spread-heavy Big 12. Last season, WVU allowed 24.6 points per game, second only to Oklahoma in the conference, and it ranked fourth in the nation in interception percentage per pass attempt (5.1). Coach, can you talk about facing the West Virginia defense?
"It's high risk, high reward. Before, their system was an advantage, but more people are doing similar things. A few years ago, we'd see that look maybe 20 to 30 percent of the time. This year, we'll probably see it 70 percent of the time." -- Big 12 head coach
One of the few proven players on defense, Noble Nwachukwu is poised to become a three-year starter for the Mountaineers. Coach, can you talk about planning to face Nwachukwu?
"He's a very solid player, but he's not a guy like Emmanuel Ogbah or Eric Striker. He's a guy who can make plays, and you have to account for him, but we didn't spend as much time talking about him." -- Big 12 offensive coach
In a departure from Dana Holgorsen's pass-heavy reputation, the Mountaineers relied on the run last season, gaining more first downs on the ground (172) than through the air (150) and averaging 4.77 yards per carry. Coach, can you talk about what to expect from West Virginia's offense?
"It will be interesting to see if he returns to that Mike Leach style. I think they weren't sure if they had the quarterback, but we'll see what they do this year." -- Big 12 head coach
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns ranked last in the Big 12 in passing in 2015, finishing with just nine touchdown passes -- the same total as Navy, which runs a triple-option offense. Coach, can you talk about Texas' QBs?
"To be honest, that position right now is the difference between them winning six games and them winning 10 games. You can hone in on what they do and cheat your coverage because of their quarterbacks' inability to throw the football." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Coach Charlie Strong brought in offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, a disciple of Art Briles' fast-paced philosophy, from Tulsa to improve the Longhorns' passing game. Coach, can you talk about Texas' personnel in the new offense?
"It's not as easy as people think it is to put that in. You have to be able to practice it the right way. Do they have a quarterback to run it? Who knows? We will have to wait and see. That system didn't become great until [former Baylor quarterback] Robert Griffin started running it." -- Big 12 offensive coach
As a true freshman, Malik Jefferson recorded nine tackles in each of his first three games, then followed that up with two sacks in the Longhorns' upset of Oklahoma. Coach, can you talk about Jefferson?
"He's unbelievably talented. I think he's going to be one of the best players in the league. Great size, great athleticism, very instinctual. Can rush off the edge, can play the run, can drop into coverage. An excellent player." -- Big 12 offensive coach
TCU Horned Frogs
Kenny Hill replaced Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and threw for 511 yards and three TDs against South Carolina in his first start. But he struggled against Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama -- throwing six touchdowns and six interceptions -- and lost his starting job, sparking questions about his performance against top teams. Coach, can you talk about Hill taking over?
"I like Hill and what he did at Texas A&M, but he has a ways to go to fill Trevone Boykin's shoes. They may need to make up [the difference in production] in other ways." -- Big 12 offensive coach
TCU has had the Big 12's top defense since joining the conference in 2012, allowing a league best in points per drive (1.66) and yards per play (5.25) in conference games over that time. Coach, can you talk about how you game-plan for TCU's defense?
"Gary [Patterson] does a good job stopping the run, using run fits, clogging up the middle. They're just not going to let you run it. You have to be able to throw the ball against them if you want to have success." -- Big 12 head coach
Last season against Texas, KaVontae Turpin had 138 receiving yards and hauled in four touchdowns, the most in a game by a freshman in Big 12 history. Though he's just 5-foot-9 and 152 pounds, Turpin will again be counted on as an all-purpose threat. Coach, can you talk about whether Turpin is up to the task?
"He's shifty, a playmaker. He has the skills that fit in our league. And he has that chip on his shoulder." -- Big 12 head coach
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting QB in November 2014, he has tossed 50 touchdowns. No returning quarterback in college football has thrown for more over that span. Coach, can you talk about Mahomes?
"He's the best quarterback in the Big 12, from seeing the field and distributing the ball to being able to run. He's big and tough to bring down. I really like his skill set. Now that he has given up baseball [he played outfield and pitched for the Red Raiders], I think he's going to be even better." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Last year, David Gibbs became Texas Tech's seventh defensive coordinator in as many seasons. The team showed little improvement, finishing next to last in the country in stopping the run.Coach, can you talk about Texas Tech's defense?
"It's been so many years in a row where they've had a new DC. That's going to hurt you. But Gibbs will do a hell of a job. He's a really good coach. It's not going to happen overnight. But I think he'll get that thing going." -- Big 12 offensive coach
After finishing second in the nation in passing last season, Texas Tech brings back all but one key target, but that guy happens to be Jakeem Grant, the school's all-time leading receiver. Coach, can you talk about Tech's passing game?
"Kliff [Kingsbury] did a great job of game-planning ways of getting Jakeem the ball in space. But there's not a guy there now that can make nine guys miss and go 90 yards. They're going to have a different mindset. Kliff might have to be a little more patient." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Kansas State Wildcats
Joe Hubener, who had never started a game at QB, even in high school, became the starter by default. He lost the job late in the year to receiver-turned-QB Kody Cook. Coach, can you talk about the Kansas State QBs?
"Bill Snyder offenses have always excelled with second-year QBs. This year could be different, because the one that started last year due to injuries [Hubener] may not be the best QB to run what he wants to run. They may be faced with the dilemma of a year's worth of experience at that position versus going through the growing pains of another first-year guy." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Kansas State topped the conference in time of possession. As a result, the Wildcats were able to keep explosive Big 12 offenses sidelined. Coach, can you talk about K-State's style?
"When you get the football, it puts that much more pressure on you to get points. And they do such a great job, they're going to find a way to run the football. They're just really tough to play, especially on the road up there." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Kickers Matthew McCrane and Nick Walsh and returner Dominique Heath are back on another vintage K-State special-teams unit. Coach, can you talk about their special teams?
"The thing I worry about when getting ready for Kansas State is their special-teams coach [Sean Snyder]. I'd hate to win on offense and win on defense, then have a big play or a big return win the game for them. That's what happened to West Virginia at the end of the year." -- Big 12 head coach
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones have not escaped the bottom three in the Big 12 in scoring since 2005. Last year, Toledo averaged 35 points per game, 10 more than Iowa State averaged. Coach, can you talk about the new staff?
"With [incoming Iowa State coach Matt Campbell's] background and what he did at Toledo, that will help. In this day and age in the Big 12, you've got to be able to score and you've got to be able to keep up. That's the path they're taking. I think that will help them." -- Big 12 head coach
After taking over for Sam B. Richardson at quarterback in late October, Joel Lanning ranked fifth in the Big 12 in QBR for the remainder of the regular season. Coach, can you talk about Lanning?
"He's big, athletic and played his tail off. I couldn't have been more impressed watching him those last couple of games. As the year went on, it looked like he threw the ball better and they trusted him. If his development continues with the wideouts they have coming back, that's a good-looking offense." -- Big 12 head coach
Mike Warren, Iowa State's first Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the year, torched rivals with five 100-yard games in conference play. Despite gaining 2,512 yards as a senior at Oklahoma's Lawton High, he got no other Big 12 offers. Coach, can you talk about Warren?
"Warren had one of the most impressive seasons among Big 12 backs. After the changes and injuries that Iowa State faced last year, he consistently performed. A number of Big 12 schools screwed up in letting him sign that far north." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Kansas Jayhawks
Coach David Beaty's winless debut wasn't a surprise, but it also couldn't have gone much worse, beginning with dropping a 41-38 heartbreaker to FCS South Dakota State in the season opener.Coach, can you talk about the state of the Kansas program?
"He took over a disaster, but I think he did a good job. They'll get some guys, but it's going to take a long time. They have to give him some time. He's going to need about eight years to get that program right. And it's not easy up there." -- Big 12 head coach
The Jayhawks can be an unexpected test in Lawrence, despite a 2-20 Big 12 home record over the past five years. Baylor, TCU, Texas and Oklahoma State have all barely escaped with single-digit wins. Coach, can you talk about facing the Jayhawks on the road?
"They're spooky. Unless you're Texas, Oklahoma or Baylor and you can go up there and overwhelm them athletically, you kind of have to watch it with them. You can go up there, they'll have like 20,000 in the stands and they can get you." -- Big 12 head coach
Kansas nearly pulled off the upset of the year, falling at TCU 23-17 in mid-November. The Jayhawks' tightest conference loss was a sign Beaty has his young players buying into his energetic approach. Coach, can you talk about how it's even possible to turn this thing around?
"First, you find guys who want to be there. Then you recruit, recruit, recruit, with an eye on competing in Year 3 or 4. You have to teach them to compete. Teach them how to win." -- Big 12 offensive coach
"Coach, can you talk about ... ."
We took that broad question and went to Big 12 coaches to ask for their honest assessments on the hottest topics for each conference team.
Here's an unfiltered -- and anonymous -- breakdown of how opponents view their conference brethren (presented by predicted order of finish):
Big 12
Oklahoma Sooners
Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are one of only six returning Power 5 running back tandems that rushed for at least 2,000 yards last season. Coach, can you talk about the two running backs?
"I think Mixon is still behind Perine in production and physicality. When OU needed something, it was Perine who was getting the ball. But if Mixon can close the gap between the two, watch out." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Last season QB Baker Mayfield led the country in passing efficiency late in games, completing a sizzling 71.2 percent of his passes in the second half and overtime. Coach, can you talk about Mayfield?
"The mentality that he brings rallies up the whole team. Sometimes he doesn't do it the way you'd draw it up, but he gets the job done. He's got good enough skills to make people miss when he runs, and he throws the ball accurately. A dangerous quarterback." -- Big 12 offensive coach
The Sooners had the only defense in the Big 12 that finished with more interceptions (20) than TD passes allowed (19). Zack Sanchez, however, had seven of those picks. Coach, can you talk about Oklahoma's secondary?
"I know they lost a big-name guy [Sanchez], but I think their defensive back unit will still be very strong again. They have one terrific corner [Jordan Thomas] coming back, and they do a great job developing defensive backs. The scheme they run, it helps that, because they're very aggressive; they'll sit on routes." -- Big 12 head coach
Oklahoma State
QB Mason Rudolph passed for 352 yards and five TDs in a win over TCU, but road games at Texas and West Virginia (one TD, five picks) showed that Rudolph's arm might be suspect. Coach, can you talk about Rudolph?
"He's a good player, but he doesn't scare you. I don't think he's dynamic like, say, the kid at Texas Tech [Patrick Mahomes]. He's a pocket passer and he doesn't have a cannon. He's not Brandon Weeden, even if they want him to be." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Oklahoma State has forced 75 turnovers since Glenn Spencer took over as defensive coordinator in 2013, ranking third in the conference. Coach, can you talk about attacking the Oklahoma State defense?
"You have to do a good job of deciphering coverage. Glenn will do some different things, like go with a prevent look on second-and-10, so you have to do a good job in practice, because you never know what you're going to get." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Rudolph helped OSU get out to a 10-0 start last season, but the Cowboys lost to Baylor and Oklahoma after he hurt his foot and then suffered a third straight loss to Ole Miss in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Coach, can you talk about how Oklahoma State can be less reliant on Rudolph?
"You know [Rudolph] is a competitor because he makes big plays when they need them. They won so many close games. You have to give him credit, because he didn't have a consistent running game. The key for him this year is they have to develop a running game. He needs help." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Baylor Bears
(Editor's note: Interviews were conducted before coach Art Briles was fired.)
Fired coach Art Briles' offensive system has always caused problems, but it became nearly impossible to stop when he began landing NFL-level athletes. Coach, can you talk about the overall talent in the program?
"They're getting in the same game as Oklahoma and Texas. They've recruited well. People don't like to hear it, but it's the truth. Offensively, their talent is as good as anyone's. Defensively, they're probably a few classes behind." -- Big 12 head coach
The result of the talent increase has been an offense that has averaged an FBS-best 3.24 points per drive and 7.18 yards per play since 2011. The Bears' 1.11 points per drive and 3.53 yards per play on a sloppy, muddy field in a driving rainstorm against TCU a year ago were Baylor's lowest marks during that span. Coach, can you talk about trying to match Baylor's offense?
"You kind of know you have to score more. I guess the only way to stop them is chilly weather and a monsoon." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Corey Coleman, the 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner, left early for the NFL, but junior KD Cannon easily slides into the No. 1 wideout spot. In his first two seasons, he caught 108 passes for 1,898 yards (17.6 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. Coach, can you talk about facing Cannon?
"He has size, speed and strength. He kind of reminds me of the way Justin Blackmon used to be at Oklahoma State, the way he can kind of control a game. He will seem quiet, then you look up and he's over 100 yards." -- Big 12 head coach
West Virginia Mountaineers
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has a 3-3-5 system built for the spread-heavy Big 12. Last season, WVU allowed 24.6 points per game, second only to Oklahoma in the conference, and it ranked fourth in the nation in interception percentage per pass attempt (5.1). Coach, can you talk about facing the West Virginia defense?
"It's high risk, high reward. Before, their system was an advantage, but more people are doing similar things. A few years ago, we'd see that look maybe 20 to 30 percent of the time. This year, we'll probably see it 70 percent of the time." -- Big 12 head coach
One of the few proven players on defense, Noble Nwachukwu is poised to become a three-year starter for the Mountaineers. Coach, can you talk about planning to face Nwachukwu?
"He's a very solid player, but he's not a guy like Emmanuel Ogbah or Eric Striker. He's a guy who can make plays, and you have to account for him, but we didn't spend as much time talking about him." -- Big 12 offensive coach
In a departure from Dana Holgorsen's pass-heavy reputation, the Mountaineers relied on the run last season, gaining more first downs on the ground (172) than through the air (150) and averaging 4.77 yards per carry. Coach, can you talk about what to expect from West Virginia's offense?
"It will be interesting to see if he returns to that Mike Leach style. I think they weren't sure if they had the quarterback, but we'll see what they do this year." -- Big 12 head coach
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns ranked last in the Big 12 in passing in 2015, finishing with just nine touchdown passes -- the same total as Navy, which runs a triple-option offense. Coach, can you talk about Texas' QBs?
"To be honest, that position right now is the difference between them winning six games and them winning 10 games. You can hone in on what they do and cheat your coverage because of their quarterbacks' inability to throw the football." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Coach Charlie Strong brought in offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, a disciple of Art Briles' fast-paced philosophy, from Tulsa to improve the Longhorns' passing game. Coach, can you talk about Texas' personnel in the new offense?
"It's not as easy as people think it is to put that in. You have to be able to practice it the right way. Do they have a quarterback to run it? Who knows? We will have to wait and see. That system didn't become great until [former Baylor quarterback] Robert Griffin started running it." -- Big 12 offensive coach
As a true freshman, Malik Jefferson recorded nine tackles in each of his first three games, then followed that up with two sacks in the Longhorns' upset of Oklahoma. Coach, can you talk about Jefferson?
"He's unbelievably talented. I think he's going to be one of the best players in the league. Great size, great athleticism, very instinctual. Can rush off the edge, can play the run, can drop into coverage. An excellent player." -- Big 12 offensive coach
TCU Horned Frogs
Kenny Hill replaced Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and threw for 511 yards and three TDs against South Carolina in his first start. But he struggled against Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama -- throwing six touchdowns and six interceptions -- and lost his starting job, sparking questions about his performance against top teams. Coach, can you talk about Hill taking over?
"I like Hill and what he did at Texas A&M, but he has a ways to go to fill Trevone Boykin's shoes. They may need to make up [the difference in production] in other ways." -- Big 12 offensive coach
TCU has had the Big 12's top defense since joining the conference in 2012, allowing a league best in points per drive (1.66) and yards per play (5.25) in conference games over that time. Coach, can you talk about how you game-plan for TCU's defense?
"Gary [Patterson] does a good job stopping the run, using run fits, clogging up the middle. They're just not going to let you run it. You have to be able to throw the ball against them if you want to have success." -- Big 12 head coach
Last season against Texas, KaVontae Turpin had 138 receiving yards and hauled in four touchdowns, the most in a game by a freshman in Big 12 history. Though he's just 5-foot-9 and 152 pounds, Turpin will again be counted on as an all-purpose threat. Coach, can you talk about whether Turpin is up to the task?
"He's shifty, a playmaker. He has the skills that fit in our league. And he has that chip on his shoulder." -- Big 12 head coach
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting QB in November 2014, he has tossed 50 touchdowns. No returning quarterback in college football has thrown for more over that span. Coach, can you talk about Mahomes?
"He's the best quarterback in the Big 12, from seeing the field and distributing the ball to being able to run. He's big and tough to bring down. I really like his skill set. Now that he has given up baseball [he played outfield and pitched for the Red Raiders], I think he's going to be even better." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Last year, David Gibbs became Texas Tech's seventh defensive coordinator in as many seasons. The team showed little improvement, finishing next to last in the country in stopping the run.Coach, can you talk about Texas Tech's defense?
"It's been so many years in a row where they've had a new DC. That's going to hurt you. But Gibbs will do a hell of a job. He's a really good coach. It's not going to happen overnight. But I think he'll get that thing going." -- Big 12 offensive coach
After finishing second in the nation in passing last season, Texas Tech brings back all but one key target, but that guy happens to be Jakeem Grant, the school's all-time leading receiver. Coach, can you talk about Tech's passing game?
"Kliff [Kingsbury] did a great job of game-planning ways of getting Jakeem the ball in space. But there's not a guy there now that can make nine guys miss and go 90 yards. They're going to have a different mindset. Kliff might have to be a little more patient." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Kansas State Wildcats
Joe Hubener, who had never started a game at QB, even in high school, became the starter by default. He lost the job late in the year to receiver-turned-QB Kody Cook. Coach, can you talk about the Kansas State QBs?
"Bill Snyder offenses have always excelled with second-year QBs. This year could be different, because the one that started last year due to injuries [Hubener] may not be the best QB to run what he wants to run. They may be faced with the dilemma of a year's worth of experience at that position versus going through the growing pains of another first-year guy." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Kansas State topped the conference in time of possession. As a result, the Wildcats were able to keep explosive Big 12 offenses sidelined. Coach, can you talk about K-State's style?
"When you get the football, it puts that much more pressure on you to get points. And they do such a great job, they're going to find a way to run the football. They're just really tough to play, especially on the road up there." -- Big 12 offensive coach
Kickers Matthew McCrane and Nick Walsh and returner Dominique Heath are back on another vintage K-State special-teams unit. Coach, can you talk about their special teams?
"The thing I worry about when getting ready for Kansas State is their special-teams coach [Sean Snyder]. I'd hate to win on offense and win on defense, then have a big play or a big return win the game for them. That's what happened to West Virginia at the end of the year." -- Big 12 head coach
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones have not escaped the bottom three in the Big 12 in scoring since 2005. Last year, Toledo averaged 35 points per game, 10 more than Iowa State averaged. Coach, can you talk about the new staff?
"With [incoming Iowa State coach Matt Campbell's] background and what he did at Toledo, that will help. In this day and age in the Big 12, you've got to be able to score and you've got to be able to keep up. That's the path they're taking. I think that will help them." -- Big 12 head coach
After taking over for Sam B. Richardson at quarterback in late October, Joel Lanning ranked fifth in the Big 12 in QBR for the remainder of the regular season. Coach, can you talk about Lanning?
"He's big, athletic and played his tail off. I couldn't have been more impressed watching him those last couple of games. As the year went on, it looked like he threw the ball better and they trusted him. If his development continues with the wideouts they have coming back, that's a good-looking offense." -- Big 12 head coach
Mike Warren, Iowa State's first Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the year, torched rivals with five 100-yard games in conference play. Despite gaining 2,512 yards as a senior at Oklahoma's Lawton High, he got no other Big 12 offers. Coach, can you talk about Warren?
"Warren had one of the most impressive seasons among Big 12 backs. After the changes and injuries that Iowa State faced last year, he consistently performed. A number of Big 12 schools screwed up in letting him sign that far north." -- Big 12 defensive coach
Kansas Jayhawks
Coach David Beaty's winless debut wasn't a surprise, but it also couldn't have gone much worse, beginning with dropping a 41-38 heartbreaker to FCS South Dakota State in the season opener.Coach, can you talk about the state of the Kansas program?
"He took over a disaster, but I think he did a good job. They'll get some guys, but it's going to take a long time. They have to give him some time. He's going to need about eight years to get that program right. And it's not easy up there." -- Big 12 head coach
The Jayhawks can be an unexpected test in Lawrence, despite a 2-20 Big 12 home record over the past five years. Baylor, TCU, Texas and Oklahoma State have all barely escaped with single-digit wins. Coach, can you talk about facing the Jayhawks on the road?
"They're spooky. Unless you're Texas, Oklahoma or Baylor and you can go up there and overwhelm them athletically, you kind of have to watch it with them. You can go up there, they'll have like 20,000 in the stands and they can get you." -- Big 12 head coach
Kansas nearly pulled off the upset of the year, falling at TCU 23-17 in mid-November. The Jayhawks' tightest conference loss was a sign Beaty has his young players buying into his energetic approach. Coach, can you talk about how it's even possible to turn this thing around?
"First, you find guys who want to be there. Then you recruit, recruit, recruit, with an eye on competing in Year 3 or 4. You have to teach them to compete. Teach them how to win." -- Big 12 offensive coach
