While the postseason is something that is suppose to be a sort of reward for college football program which reach the .500-mark and become bowl eligible, Syracuse Orange head coach Scott Shafer is treating the Texas Bowl against the Minnesota Golden Gophers with his usual hard-nosed attitude.
"We're not in the business to try and get everyone in the game, we're trying to win the game," Shafer said during Tuesday pre-game press conference in Syracuse. "To me, it is business trip with benefits."
(Well, then. Hope you're not leading the Texas Bowl on, coach.)
Shafer ran through a bunch of topics with the local media, including giving injury updates on safety Julian Whigham, who is listed as doubtful but could play, and senior cornerback Keon Lyn, who is officially ruled out for the game.
However, the sound bite that stood out the most was the first-year head coach's admission about SU's six-win mark, which can be deemed as a success, but, eight wins were achievable.
"I am also a bit disappointed we couldn't come up with eight victories this year," Shafer said. "We were a touchdown short against Penn State and Pitt. I think the two Pennsylvania teams we should have got."
Shafer did point out this season was a good start to building a new, better foundation with a group of fresh players. He also is looking forward to hanging out with all the players before they head to the airport.
"We're going to go tubing with the team. Get to see some of our 300-pounders go down that thing, hopefully, they don't end up across the road."
Jokes aside, coach Shafer admitted he was proud of his team, which never gave up and basically clawed its way to some victories when, its play, as he described it at times, was ugly.
"For our kids to finished behind (Florida State and Clemson) on our side of the division, I thought it was a positive as we move into the second year of the ACC," Shafer said. "The bar is high, but we know what it takes to get there."