Opening Statement:
"It's a very exciting week for us without question just because we are down to a one game season and that's the way we're looking at it. We're going to try and win every possession Saturday and take care of business. We've got a great setting at McLane Stadium and we need to take advantage of this great opportunity against a really good football team."

On what it would mean to the program to be repeat Big 12 Champions:
"We made history last year. Baylor never won a Big 12 Championship until last year so making history is good, but it's about winning football games now. We've already made history, so we're winning games and trying to create consistency in a program and trying to prove that we belong with the nation's elite in college football and we can win on a consistent basis and it's not easy to do. Our guys need to be commended for getting this far. We haven't done anything yet--we haven't won anything, championship-wise, but we've certainly set ourselves up to do that."

On how to draw on last year's experiences of the last game:
"I think there's a lot of parallels and a lot of differences. We're a different football team of course and Kansas State is different than Texas was, but the scenario is certainly the same. If we win, we have a chance to be a Big 12 Champion and if we don't we finish second and it was the very same scenario a year ago and we had an outstanding crowd that gave us a lot of energy and confidence and we'll have the same thing Saturday."

On an update on Bryce Petty:
"I do [expect to have him on Saturday]. He was here yesterday. He was feeling pretty good. He actually felt pretty good at the end of the game the other day. Of course he took a hard shot, a clean shot. I just saw him 10 minutes ago and he's fine--smile on his face and determination in his heart."

On the second AP top-10 matchup in 50 years:
"I think it says what our team last year did and what our team is doing this year. We've got to finish what we started and fortunately we're at that point. All of our hopes and aspirations are still alive."

On how defensive backs:
"Of course we always take it as a challenge. We take this game as a challenge just like we do every game, but this one has just a little more important value to it. As far as DBs playing in today's system--you've got to have great open field ball skills to be a great DB in today's game, because there's going to be a lot of play in a lot of space in these plays and you've got to be able to play in space. That's probably the number one characteristic we look for in a defensive back--one of the other No. 1 characteristics though is ball skills because you have to understand there's going be a lot of plays made in open space. But as far as being challenged, guys have pride but we're challenged not just on the back end but across the board on defense, offense and special teams this weekend as a coaching staff."

On Coach Snyder and Kansas State:
"They have done an outstanding job for decades and do it in a unique way. They believe in what they do and they have tremendous support from the Wildcat community that is almost unparalleled, if you have ever been up to Manhattan. I certainly think they are a program and he is a coach that if you are looking for a flaw or dent in the armor, you are not going to find one."

On the Kansas State game two years ago:
"First of all I think it surprised everybody and I think it was a good example of today's game. When you ride up there at a certain level for so long and every week there's people shooting at you as Kansas State was that year. It is hard to dodge for 12 weeks. I think they got caught in a situation where it is late in the season and winding down and hard to maintain that level that long and we had become a decently good football team at that time and had a little momentum."

On Orion Stewart:
"He has not really surprised us. Coach Gamble was a believer in him at Midway High School. We know Coach Gamble personally and we trust and believe him. We thought he had great natural skills and a lot of raw talent and was a great basketball player. Basketball was his first love then. We thought it correlated well with playing in the secondary and being a great ball skill guy on the back end, which I think he has become. He has great skill and great range, great instincts. I think he is borderline premier safety in the league. I really have a lot of belief in him."

On Kansas State's offense:
"(Tyler Lockett) is very good. He is a very dangerous player. Waters does a great job. Their scheme makes you cover the field interior and exterior. They do a great job of making you cover all of the eligible receivers with run-pass options. They have some guys they can go to and Waters to me has had a phenomenal year."

On College Gameday:
"I think it means a lot to the state of Texas. I am glad they are getting down here to see us. I think it is great for Waco, unquestionably. It is just phenomenal for marketing for Baylor University. It is nice to let other people see what a great college campus this is and what a great university this is."

On Seth Russell:
"We have a lot of confidence in Seth. He has not played a bunch in the last few weeks, but that is what happens when you get in conference play. He got some good experience early in the year. He got to start the second game of the year. The thing that I was proud of was that he got in the game in tense situations on Saturday and he did some good things for us down the stretch when we had to make first downs and control the clock. We would have liked to have had a touchdown late, but a field goal made it a game and that was really impressive for a guy that out of the last six games has played zero meaningful snaps. That to me says a lot about him. Seth is very capable and very good."

On how he is feeling :
"I feel great. I woke up this morning happy to be alive and be breathing. You can't ask for much more than that."

On being in a position to defend the Big 12 title:
"This is what you want. You want to be in this position. There is not a whole lot to say about this one. If you can't get fired up for this then you maybe need to find another spot or another sport or something."

On the excitement surrounding College Gameday:
"It is great for us. It is just something else to put on the map for Baylor and kind of where we have come from and where we are going. College Gameday is a big deal, and I would hope that we would have a bunch of students there and I know we will. I have already gotten a bunch of texts and things about it. I think everybody community wide and school wide are excited for it and they should be. It is a big deal."

On how he is going to practice this week:
"Everything that I have been told has been based off of having a symptom free head or body. I woke up with a little headache this morning, but it is already going down. It is kind of off and on. It is starting to get shorter on and longer off. When it is hurting a little bit it is a lot lighter than it used to be. I will be fine. I think it is more exercise induced things I have to go through to make sure everything is okay, but as far as practice schedule I should be good to go."

On if it helps that Baylor was in nearly the same situation last year going into the final game:
"Any time that you have a "been there done that" kind of deal it helps. I am not saying that to say that this isn't as important as last year or anything like that. When you kind of know the process and what to expect and how it is going to happen that always helps. Our guys have been through it, and we know what is going on. For us it is all about execution. Offense, defense and special teams all have to execute. Really the rest will take care of itself. You don't have to really be motivated for this game. We know that it's out there and it is ours for the taking. All we can do is put ourselves in a position to have the best chance to be successful and we have done that up into this point. Everything we have worked for all off-season, this summer and all season is for right now."

On what the doctors are doing to make sure he is okay:
"There really haven't been any tests. I guess as far as studies go they are not supposed to do any tests until you are symptom-free. It is kind of pointless I guess from what they are telling me. I haven't done anything like that. It has just been staying away from lights and noise and that kind of thing. It has just been kind of letting it work itself out. It has been great. I have had a lot of prayers and support from everyone and I will be alright."

On if they have outlined the steps that he will have to go through to be ready to play:
"Not yet. We don't really know anything until I am symptom-free. The symptoms are definitely decreasing and I should be all good to go tomorrow with things. We have the best training staff in the country. Mike Sims has done a great job with him and his staff. I am in good hands and they will make sure everything is 100%. I know for a fact that I will be ready to go."

On if they belong in the College Football Playoff if they win on Saturday:
"Who knows. I am not on the committee. You are not on it, unfortunately. I wish you were. All we have to do is win. Winning puts us in the best place to make our case. It is all about building a resume from what I guess I have understood with this committee. We can't build that resume if we don't take care of business on Saturday. Right now all we are worried about is Saturday and the days leading up to Saturday with preparation, focus and determination. We are hungry, so there shouldn't be any added motivation for that. Then once we take care of business, if we come out on top, then we will have a chance to make our case and then hopefully they will see it."

On the most motivating force for them on Saturday:
"I think goal-wise coming in, it was always a Big 12 Championship. That is a huge motivation in itself. I think it has kind of always been said that if you win the Big 12 then you are pretty much in. This is a tough conference to play in week in and week out, so coming back-to-back and being in a spot to win again is a great accomplishment in and of itself. Now we just have to capitalize on it and make the best of it."

On what K-State does well defensively:
"Each game is a different game. You can't ever look to game and say you are going to face the same team because it never is. For them defensively, they are about as sound of a defense as you could ever find. They don't make mistakes or very rarely do. Offensive, defense and special teams, Coach Snyder does a great job with that ball club. For us it is all about execution. We have to make sure all our T's are crossed and our I's are dotted. Preparation is a huge key this week. We can't take them lightly at all and I know they are not taking us lightly. It will be a great match up. It is one that we are looking forward to, and we will be ready to go."

On having two top-10 match ups in one season and what that says about the program:
"We are not where we are going to be, but we are getting there. That is a true testament to Coach Briles and his vision. Every time he sets a kid down in his office and tells them where we are going to be you have to believe him. It starts from the top down. He has had that belief and determination ever since he has been here. He has had the same vision the whole time. It is really remarkable how he keeps on keeping on, and he has us in the right direction."

On how he has improved during his time at Baylor:
"I have come a long way since 2010 when I got here. Really just as far as mentality and growing in the position, with Coach Briles and Coach Montgomery in the film room you learn a lot. You learn something each and every day. The cool part about quarterback for me personally is it doesn't matter if you are Pop Warner or Payton Manning who have been doing it for years and years; you always have something to learn. I always have something to get better at, and I can take that to heart and to the practice field each and every day. It is fun getting in there and learning. I love it. That is why I like to play."

On having Spencer Drango on the left side over the past two years:
"Drango is the best. He makes my job easy. A comfort level for a quarterback is huge. When you can sit back there and know that what you can't see is protected it is always a great thing. He does a great job week in and week out in preparation and being a leader. He is anchoring that line. I can rest easy and mom can rest easy knowing that he is there. He does a great job."

Opening Statement:
"We are very honored and excited to be hosting College GameDay and ESPN for a top-10 showdown of Baylor and Kansas State on Saturday night. It is a very exciting time for our program and university. We will be able to showcase our beautiful campus and our outstanding football team, along with what we believe is the best college football stadium in America. It will be a wonderful opportunity for us to advance the cause of Baylor and have ESPN here in Waco and Central Texas. It is also a great platform for us as we finish up the regular season and make a case for the College Football Playoff."

On if he thinks Baylor should make the playoff with a win:
"We do. With a win over Kansas State we would be 11-1. We will be the Big 12 Conference champion based on the tiebreaker and winning the head-to-head against TCU. We would be the only school among the top six that will have a win against another top-six team and we would have three top-15 caliber wins at that point. I think we would make an incredible case and be very hard to keep out in that circumstance."

On two Texas private schools being at the top:
"First, it is a great year in the Big 12. We have three top-nine teams with Kansas State [Baylor and TCU]. It is an incredibly competitive year for the Big 12. I think it speaks to the fact that you do not have to have the largest enrollment, you do not need to have the biggest budget to be successful in college football and both Baylor and TCU have proven that."

On Big 12 allowing full-cost scholarships:
"We have been very supportive of all three initiatives. Going to full cost of attendance for our student athletes beginning next year is something we think is the right thing to do and has great universal support. Also, multi-year scholarships is advantageous and that was approved. The third piece is allowing student athletes who did not complete their degree to come back and graduate. All three of those things make a lot of sense and Baylor was supportive of all three."

On having "One True Champion":
"If we have co-champions the first tiebreaker is head-to-head and I think that makes obvious sense. If you have two teams go 8-1 and you have to determine what is the tiebreaker it is - which team defeated the other team. That is what we have in the Big 12. I think if you look at a national standpoint that is why we have gone to a playoff. People were irritated with the BCS because computers and polls tried to determine who the two championship teams were and the reason we changed is we wanted to determine on the field in a playoff, the same way you would want your conference determined."

On Gameday coming to Baylor:
"When the Big 12 gave us this schedule I do not think we could have dreamed we could have all these things - a top 10 matchup, a de-facto Big 12 Championship, College GameDay with a national broadcast on ESPN concluding the first season at McLane Stadium. I hope nobody pinches me and wakes me up."

On seeing players being able to express their faith:
"It is amazing. We have an incredible group of young men on this team. Bryce (Petty) is a great leader and example. Having someone like that who is your leader to represent your program the right way is extraordinary. We have been blessed with Robert Griffin, Nick Florence, and now Bryce Petty. You could not ask for three better leaders and quarterbacks than those three individuals."

On future out-of-conference scheduling:
"There is always conversations going on but of course there is a lot going into scheduling an arrangement together - dates need to work out and teams need to work out, but we do have a couple conversations we are working on."

On having a chance to win back-to-back conference titles:
"First, great credit goes to Coach Briles. We feel like he has led one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history. To be in a position where Baylor is playing for back-to-back Big 12 championships, it speaks to the incredible job he has done and the quality of our football program. Baylor will be a force to be reckoned within the Big 12 and nationally for years to come."

On the excitement leading up to Saturday:
"(The scenario) couldn't be any better. This is the best feeling right now. We are grateful that College GameDay is coming here. We're playing a really good team in Kansas State. Our main thing this week is staying focused, which is hard to do with all these, I call them, "distractions." Staying focused is key."

On getting the deep ball back in the game:
"Our running game has been going well, so we have to be able to hit some short routes as well. Once we hit those, the defense won't play 30 yards back like they have been playing. After we hit those short routes and they come up, we can get them long."

On the motivation this week carries with it:
"Everything is motivating at this point. Our team put itself in a position to win another Big 12 Championship. That is big in itself. Then you add in the situation with the playoffs, and it makes this week pretty big. I was sitting on the couch yesterday, and I looked on Twitter to see that College GameDay is coming. It's not every week that that happens. There's a lot on the line, and it's up to us not to let that be bigger than the game itself. We have to go out there and act like it is another Saturday. It's a great day to play football and play against a great opponent. Hopefully we will come out with another Big 12 Championship."

On having a different mindset versus last year:
"I would say it's a little bit (different). Last year we hadn't been there, but this year we knew that we were going to be the hunted. It is a little bit of a different mindset, but at the same time we're hungry and extremely motivated. The Big 12 Championship is still a big deal to us. Going into Saturday's game the mindset won't be different, because we are playing for something that means a lot to this team, school and community. We're excited for the opportunity to go play."

On giving it everything against Kansas State:
"You know how difficult the game is going to be because the game is for the Big 12 Championship. Both teams are going to give it their all. It's the last game of the regular season, so there is no need to hold anything back. I know that neither team will."

On this game having more meaning because he missed the Texas game last year:
"It definitely does (have more meaning). The last one I unfortunately didn't get to play in, so getting the opportunity to play in a Big 12 Championship game has been a goal that I have had since last year."

On everything that is wrapped up into this Saturday:
"It is awesome to think that really everything in the four or five years that I have been here all adds up this Saturday, is really amazing. It is kind of hard to explain really."