Just finished reading USA TODAY's weekend edition with all the hype for the new season well underway. USA TODAY has its poll out and Alabama is at the top. Not really a surprise and maybe not a surprise that Boise State is getting so much attention.
The Broncos have had a string of good years, a legacy of good coaches and a taste of the BCS. Wins over the Oklahomas of the world make people take notice. It also brings kids to school and media members in droves to pre-season practices to build the hype machine. Boise State is ranked number 5... though a handful of coaches voted them as high as number 2. Number two is a big lift... Number 5 to start is a huge, tall order to deliver upon.
And there's plenty of danger that comes with the wonderful compliment. You know the comments are flying full-spead on Twitter, Facebook and Rivals "Chat Rooms."
And how about questions like this being tossed at Bronco players:
1. Did you expect to be that high?
2. Is anything less than a BCS title game a disappointment?
3. Should you guys actually be hÃgher???
Whoa..... Slow down. But they are coming. And that's a tough job for Broncos coaches, Media relations staff members and the Sports Information Dept. So what to do?
At HTK MEDIA, we preach the idea of a "game plan." Its really no different that the chalkboard talk before the game. "Anticipate" is our key word. Heck, they do it on the field... So do it BEFORE the microphones show up.
Counseling the players to focus on the right message is key. Its way to early in the season to be talking about the end result. There's no need to brag.. No need to talk about what's been done in the past. "Humble pride" is a lot more beneficial to the program than the potential for "humble pie"
Expect big wins for the Broncos. Big heads don't do anything. I'm sure everyone's on board.
HTK Media Training is available to all teams ... visit www.htknow.com
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