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Did Babers say, ""I have to be confident. I have faith in these young men there is no doubt. But, we still have to go out and show it. I would love to win the game, but that's not my major concern," said Babers. "My major concern is that we go out and play with the type of enthusiasm and effort the game deserves. It's a special game and you need to respect the game. If we go out and give the effort and play with the enthusiasm that the game demands, then I'll be OK with the outcome no matter what happens."?

I really hope I am taking that quote out of context because I didn't HEAR the interview, but by reading that quote, I REALLY don't like that. How do you go into a Championship game and say that winning the game is not your major concern?

That certainly was an eye opener for me. If I am off base here on maybe what coach meant, please set me straight.

In any case, ROLL ALONG and BEAT NIU!!

I'd normally be troubled by the same thing. A coach that says winning is not important? And a championship game at that? I think he's taking a big-picture view of things and looking at the long term. His vision is not to have a program that is ravaged by injuries, is inconsistent throughout the year and limps into a title game with little confidence. The goal is to have a loaded, confident team that rolls into the game clicking on all cylinders expecting to win. That is simply not the case this year. What is controllable tonight is playing hard and the level of effort so that's what he's focused on.

Babers went 7-5 his first year at EIU before winning 12 the second. I'd love to win this game tonight but if 7 wins, a divisional title and a bowl game is the floor for this team given everything that's transpired this year, what's the ceiling? That's what I'm waiting to see and we shouldn't have to wait too long to see it.

Yeah, it sounds like he's trying to downplay the game a little, maybe to relax the team? I just want a competitive game with a 60-minute effort and it seems Babers expects the same.

Didn't hear the interview but I would guess he's trying to say something to the effect of: "We need to show up with intensity, fire, and execute. If we show up and play the way we're capable of the winning takes care of itself."

Dunno, it's an odd quote seeing it in print like that.

mscarn wrote:I'd normally be troubled by the same thing. A coach that says winning is not important? And a championship game at that? I think he's taking a big-picture view of things and looking at the long term. His vision is not to have a program that is ravaged by injuries, is inconsistent throughout the year and limps into a title game with little confidence. The goal is to have a loaded, confident team that rolls into the game clicking on all cylinders expecting to win. That is simply not the case this year. What is controllable tonight is playing hard and the level of effort so that's what he's focused on.

Babers went 7-5 his first year at EIU before winning 12 the second. I'd love to win this game tonight but if 7 wins, a divisional title and a bowl game is the floor for this team given everything that's transpired this year, what's the ceiling? That's what I'm waiting to see and we shouldn't have to wait too long to see it.

Good post. Northern Illinois is the favorite tonight. We all know that. We also know that the Falcons can win this. Or, the Falcons could play hard and lose this.

As long as they are playing their hearts out -- which everyone seems to believe was not the case last week -- as a head coach, what more can you ask for at this point?

I understand what he's saying...I've taken a similar approach myself in sales jobs I've had. I don't worry about numbers month to mionth because you get a kind of tunnel vision (unless you're in a really high pressure sales gig like cars or windows..then you have to focus on one thing...closing the schmuck in front of you) . I would focus on my preparation and approach...do I know my stuff, am I organized and executing a plan for my territory.

I agree with everyone's points and sort of relaxes my concern on this quote a little bit, but still... It is a championship game. Essentially the last game of the season. What you have worked all year towards. It is the big prize. If this was a OOC game in September @ Florida, I would be in total agreement with Coach. I just can't get by the fact that he said winning a game when a championship is on the line isn't the most important thing about the game itself. Just rubs me the wrong way...

I get what coach is trying to say after a few weeks of questionable efforts.

Of course winning the game is most important.... isn't that right Herm?

I was in the room when he said it and it was a direct quote. I think he was very disappointed in the team's effort against Ball State. He'll have to except a loss as long as you are putting the maximum effort out. So I think this was his way of sending a message to the team that win or lose, you got to bring your best effort to the game. I kind of got what he was trying to say here. He might have been able to communicate the point better with different words.

I've accepted the fact that our coach isn't very good at expressing himself. That's okay. He's not being paid lots of money to be an expert at press conferences -- he's being paid to win games, including championship games.

Maybe this was aimed solely at the team because of how disappointed he was in their effort the past couple games. I sure have been disappointed in how this team is "finishing" to this point.

While my heart really wants to win the title again tonight, my head says the only reason this team is here is because they play in a really, really bad division. Otherwise, they'd be sitting home watching along with the rest of the league. I honestly don't expect to win; and I'll be a bit surprised if it's close.

Given the injury to Johnson and others this year, and a new system and coaching staff, I'm willing to give Babers & Co. a mulligan on this season.

However, the clock really starts ticking next fall on the field. It's already ticking off of it (recruiting, etc.)