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TCU's Gary Patterson and BYU's Bronco Mendenhall previewed Saturday's meeting between their teams when the coaches made their weekly appearances on the MWC Teleconference earlier today.
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You can hear their entire sessions by clicking on the audio links in the "Cougar Cuts" box below, but here are a few highlights:
Patterson--
On the Cougars: "You watch on film, you know that BYU's a lot better than a 2-4 football team. They've had some different issues, but the bottom line to it is, they have our full attention. We understand that we've got a fight on our hands, and we better get ready to play."
On respect for BYU: "It's one of those games that I hate to prepare for, because they give you many different elements and they're so good at what they do, and this year is not any different."
On BYU QB Jake Heaps: "You can tell he's going to be a great one; a great arm, great presence. To be in the situation he's been in, and to do as well as he's done, as a true freshman...every week he keeps getting better."
On losing BYU and Utah as league rivals: "For me it's selfish, because it's been a great rivalry; it's great football. Even though you lose a lot of sleep during the week you play Utah or BYU, you know its unbelievable competition and you love being on the field for the thre hours that you're a part of it."
On BYU going independent: "I just know how the landscape in this profession is, and I just worry for their sake. I hope it all works out for them; it's a hard deal."
On BYU coming in as a huge underdog: "I'm trying to win by one point. The last time BYU came to town with the chip I think they have on their shoulder right now, and the kind of intensity, was back in 2006, when they beat us here. I believe we're going to their best game... it makes them a very dangerous football team."
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Mendenhall--
On if TCU is the best team he has faced as head coach: "Hard to say until we've played TCU. I think we have played some good football teams the past six years, but I've never predicted how good anyone is. After we play, then I'll have a better idea, so I'd rather keep it at that."
On his new schedule as defensive coordinator: "I would say it was 95% different than what it was prior to last week. I spent every minute but a half hour per day in the defensive room, coaching the defense, and a half hour a day in the head coach's office--which is the exact opposite percentage as at had been prior to that."
"(Last week was) probably the most fun I've had in six years; very invigorating, and I just loved being with the players again. Sometimes as head coach you get removed, and it was by choice, and I have no one to blame but myself, but I just love being with the players and having more impact on their lives and how they performed on Saturday than what I had prior."
On whether he plans to stay on as DC: "I'm going to think very hard about it. I'm not ready to commit to that answer, but I'm going to think very hard about the role I'm currently playing. I'm enjoying it; it certainly is a lot of work and longevity could be an issue that way, but it's more fulfilling currently."
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