Bowl Preview Press Conference: Mike Elko

Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko discusses the upcoming trip to the Las Vegas Bowl at a press conference inside the Kyle Field Media Center. (December 17, 2024)


0:00 opening statement
1:01 Are there any solutions to some of the current problems bowls have, opt outs and so forth?
2:29 Do you expect there to be more opt-outs or can you say who may have already?
3:28 It’s not uncommon in college for significant numbers to opt out, why do you think your team for the most part has decided to play?
4:36 Talk about the mentality of the guys getting one more chance to play in a game or getting a chance to get some paying time.
5:58 Are there any transfer guys that you can talk about?
6:12 Generally speaking how do you feel the transfer portal window has gone?
6:46 USC is a program that A&M hasn’t played in 50 years, are you excited to get two brands together that haven’t met in a long while on the field?
7:23 During the portal window what’s been your main pitch as to why they should choose A&M?
8:03 You mentioned the three defensive linemen not playing, how do you see the line shaping up for the bowl game?
8:55 How difficult is to game plan a team you’re playing in a bowl game when you don’t even know who they’ll have on their roster?
9:53 How do you navigate so much unpredictability in the roster space at this time of year?
11:00 Have you voiced concerns to Greg Sankey and if so what’s been the feedback?
11:55 Who does USC remind you of offensively and defensively after watching film?
13:05 What do you think the future of bowl games are, the ones that aren’t involved in the loop for playoffs, and any confidence that they’ll survive?
13:36 What was Coach Henson like when he was here and what will it be like going up against him?
14:19 With Marcel Reed establishing himself as a leader but also being so young how important is a game like this for him?