Keeping Them Honest: My Shot

Panjandrum started this feature a couple weeks ago when Ron Prince called Louisiana-Lafayette's quarterback possibly the best dual-threat quarterback he'd ever seen.  This week, Prince described the 95th-ranked Texas A&M offense as "extraordinary."  It led me to wonder what Ron Prince's thoughts would be on other subjects, organized in the same manner as Prince's press conference responses on the K-State athletic department Web site.

On Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee...

"He has just a cannon for an arm.  The way he throws that five-yard out pattern is a thing of beauty.  He really has led that program to a lot of success the last few years, and it's easy to see why."

On the trip to Colorado in two weeks...

"There isn't a classier bunch of fans in the Big 12 conference than the ones in Boulder.  They show up in droves, no matter the opponent, and they conduct themselves with class in all situations.  Overall, a confirmed group of fans, and a group all other schools could learn from."

On the next home date, with No. 1 Oklahoma...

"I see nothing to fear but fear itself.  Listen, we're going to coach smart, not scared.  You know, bold and daring, and all those kinds of things.  There's no reason we can't come out of this contest with a win."

On the Nov. 1 trip to Lawrence to play that other school...

"One thing I've always admired about fans of the University of Kansas is that they are so down to earth.  Every one of them went to that school, obtained a degree, and is now an upstanding, contributing member of society.  It really is a pleasure to go play in that beautiful stadium, in front of those people who have known KU fielded a football team for at least a year now."

On KU running back Jocques Crawford...

"I don't see any reason why he won't be considered for all-Big 12 honors this season.  He said before the season he was going to pick up 2,000 yards this season, and so far he's done nothing but fulfill that promise.  That young man only needs to average 170 yards per game his last seven games of the season, which would only be 55 yards more, per game, than he has gained on the season."

On former Nebraska radio personality Jim Rose...

"It's a real shame for the Big 12 conference that this man is not still calling games on Saturdays.  He was probably the most insightful, knowledgeable, observant radio personality I've ever known."

On first-year Nebraska coach Bo Pelini...

"It's obvious Bo knows what he's doing, and that's one of his most admirable traits.  He gets things done.  He never makes excuses.  He keeps a very even keel on the sideline.  I have no doubt he is the exact, highly intelligent person that program needs to lead it back to prominence."

On Iowa State quarterback (we think) Austin Arnaud...

"He is, without a doubt, among the very best quarterbacks in the Big 12 conference.  You all know very well how many great quarterbacks there are in this conference, and he stands out to me as the one that stands out.  Every post-season accolade he receives, up to and including the Heisman Trophy, is richly deserved."

On his former team, the University of Virginia...

"They are a confirmed ballclub this season.  Every time they've stepped on the field, they have shown that they belong among the elite teams in the country."

On getting K-State back to postseason play...

"While I realize we are 0-1 in conference play, there is no doubt in my mind that we are going to compete for the Big 12 North championship, and a chance to play in Kansas City in December.  That's why I came here, to mold a team that can play for championships.  And that's what I think we have here, a team that's prepared to take on the very best, mano-a-mano, tete-a-tete, and stare them down.

As far as bowl games go, there's really no doubt that the BCS representatives are taking a long, hard look at this team.  It's likely we will wrap up the automatic conference berth by winning a championship, but in the unlikely event that Oklahoma or, God forbid, that Texas team that I've simply owned the last two years, upsets us, there is little doubt the Fiesta Bowl officials have us very high on the radar."