» Arkansas’ Bret Bielema on Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: “Have you had a face-to-face conversation about player safety?”
Bielema’s answer:
“I can’t say we’re breaking bread together and going to dinner when we can, but I’m not throwing bread at him and rocks and everything else. It’s just what it is. Greatly respected.”
» Bielema on the Missouri rivalry: “Do you feel like it’s being forced a little bit?”
Bielema’s answer:
“You know what, whatever it is, it is what it is. I think the part I really belive in is no matter what the situation is, you wrap your arms around it, kiss it, hug it, make it great. We’ve been told we’re playing Missouri as our permanent crossover, and it will be played on Friday after Thanksgiving. I don’t think you could ask for anything better.”
» On Bielema’s first year in the SEC: “What was the biggest culture shock for you switching from coaching in the Big Ten to the SEC?”
Bielema’s answer:
“Winning versus losing. It’s quite simple. I didn’t come here to lose.”
» Missouri coach Gary Pinkel on renovations at his stadium: “I was wondering where that stands at the present time.”
Pinkel’s answer:
“We have renovation going on right now. It's really just awesome. That's the league. The SEC has had a huge influence on that. We talked about those things prior to getting in the SEC. We have some other things going on with the new indoor facility coming up. I always tell our alumni, I tell them, If you drive by and you don't see cranes up, then something is wrong. In this league you better be building, making yourself better all the time. Our administration gets that. In expressing my opinion of getting in this league several years ago, if you're not committed to investing, don't get in the league because it will swallow you up. You know what an honor it is to coach in the SEC.”
» LSU coach Les Miles when asked about players being drafted early: “Is it kind of a Catch-22 that you can point to all those guys getting drafted but you still have the holes to fill each year?”
Miles’ answer:
“Yeah we’d like to have those guys back. I keep approaching the NFL on an opportunity for us to draft back some of our players that they take. Patrick Peterson, he’d have come back.”
» Miles after earlier mentioning not enjoying vacation in Austin, Texas: “I’d be remiss in asking why you hated your time in Austin so much.”
Miles’ answer:
“Oh, no, no, no. It was just not vacation. I loved it. My daughter’s doing wonderfully there. I enjoy the experience she’s having, OK? But it was not a beach. There was no hotel that I walked out and jumped into the surf.”
