Mike Leach addresses if Mississippi State is entering Memphis rematch with a chip on their shoulder

Among non-power-five programs, Memphis is as successful as any over the last several years. The Tigers typically produce great offenses and have enough talent to beat the occasional SEC team, like Mississippi State. Which they did last season. Memphis hosted the Bulldogs and outlasted them by two, 31-29, to secure a huge program win. The return game takes place in Starkville this week to kick of the season for both teams.

So, is Mike Leach preaching revenge to his players? Telling them that they better not overlook the AAC foe this time around? Apparently, he’s not a fan of those sort of motivations. He thinks the drive to win should be internal and present no matter the opponent. That may not have been the case a year ago.

But that’s why Leach preaches consistency. Practicing and playing every game at the highest level. Not just the important ones. So here was his philosophy on “bulletin board” material and motivation, which he shared at a recent press conference.

“Well I mean maybe. I mean I think we had some guys that, you know, owed Memphis more respect than they got. And we’ve got to make sure that, you know, that’s one thing. But then the other thing is is, you know, I mean, if you take pride in being a good football player, you should do it all the time. It shouldn’t be dictated by the opponent. It should be dictated by: you want to be the best person you can be.”

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“And then, of course I get a kick out of — somebody talks about being in the NFL and all that other stuff. And they practice one way and they talk about the NFL the other way. I mean, none of this is a do-over. They just cut you, you know. And then, you know, if you want to develop yourself into a special player, no matter where it is, — and it doesn’t really have anything to do with the NFL as far as i’m concerned.

“Because wherever you’re at, if you’re doing something, if you’re investing the time to do it you want to do it the best you can. And so, that should that be enough. If it’s not, they want to draw from some chip thing, go ahead. But it better be making them better. I’m not a big bulletin board guy.”

Wise words from Mike Leach.