BOULDER — Conducting a weekly media luncheon for the first time, Colorado interim coach Brian Cabral gave a stern warning on Tuesday, ultimately directed at his players.
Cabral said his team’s performance last weekend in the 20-point victory against Iowa State probably would not be good enough Saturday in the home finale against Kansas State.
“You cannot underestimate coach (Bill) Snyder,” Cabral said of the veteran KSU coach.
Cabral said the Buffaloes sneaked up on Iowa State — in Cabral’s debut as interim coach — but there will be no surprising the Wildcats.
“I don’t think Iowa State knew what to expect and we took advantage of them,” Cabral said. “We’re not going to sneak up on Kansas State. We’re going to have Kansas State full-force. We’re going to have Kansas State and Bill Snyder full-force.
“I don’t know that there is any other Big 12 coach that has seen coach Snyder develop that program the way I have. I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it. I know full well that we’re going to have our hands full, and it’s going to be mostly full of Bill Snyder.”
Cabral joined the coaching staff of his alma mater in 1989 as a graduate assistant, the same year that Snyder took over a program deemed “the worst in America” by Sports Illustrated. Snyder’s first team went 1-11. By 1993, Kansas State had improved to a 9-2-1 season and began a string of 11 consecutive years with a bowl invitation.
Cabral pointed out Snyder’s teams are fundamentally sound and have the ability to exploit the weaknesses of their opponent and capitalize on their own strengths.
“I saw how Coach Snyder brought that program along, the changes he has made in that environment. I know all too well the handiwork of Bill Snyder. We’ve got a tall task ahead of us here,” Cabral said. “It’s going to take more than just our best effort. You cannot underestimate Coach Snyder and how well he prepares his team and how well he prepares his attack for his opponents. We weren’t prepared for that a year ago.
“Now, whether knowing what to expect makes a difference (on Saturday), we’ll find out. But I have an awful lot of respect for Kansas State and the master, in all reality, behind Kansas State.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
