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Texas coach Tom Herman had plenty to say on Monday about this week’s matchup with LSU.
The game in Austin, which is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on ABC, is a marquee matchup and one of the few this season that pits Associated Press top 10 teams. But Herman tried to tamp down the hype.
“I don’t want to downplay the significance of the matchup,” he said. “… But I also know that Bob Bowlsby’s not going to be handing out the Big 12 trophy after this game, either.”
Herman initially didn’t want to discuss his near-hire at LSU shortly before he took the Texas job. Herman reportedly was in talks with LSU AD Joe Alleva, who then turned to interim head coach Ed Orgeron for the full-time job.
About that supposed flirtation, Herman didn’t want to “waste anybody’s time,” with something that’s water under the bridge, according to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman.
Asked on the Big 12 call again about LSU, Texas coach Tom Herman says, “I’m talking about Texas this week.” Calls the LSU flirtation water under the bridge and doesn’t want to “waste anybody’s time” with LSU on deck.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 2, 2019
Speaking of Orgeron, Herman was asked about speaking the LSU coach’s language.
“It is unique, his language. Certainly,” he said.
Herman said the LSU defense is full of future NFL players, and will he as talented a defense as “we’ve seen in our time here.”
Herman is familiar with LSU QB Joe Burrow, someone who he compared with Sam Ehlinger.
Asked about LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Texas coach Tom Herman said, “I love Joe. I recruited him. I got to know his family…. He reminds me a lot of our guy.”
Herman said Texas will have to vary its defensive looks.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 2, 2019
Tom Herman was asked if he can speak Ed Orgeron’s language.
“It is unique, his language. Certainly,” Herman said, smiling. #LSU
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 2, 2019
Tom Herman on the LSU defense: “This will be as talented a defense as we’ve seen in our time here. … They’ve got NFL players at pretty much every position.”
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 2, 2019
Herman on LSU: “I don’t want to downplay the significance of the matchup. … But I also know that Bob Bowlsby’s not going to be handing out the Big 12 trophy after this game, either.”
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 2, 2019
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.