BOCA RATON, Fla. _ The hardest part for Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin wasn't getting his players prepared.
No, the toughest hurdle was keeping them from succumbing to the high expectations entering this season. Kiffin should have no problem achieving that the remainder of the season, especially after a 63-14 loss to Oklahoma in the opener.
It brought the Owls back to reality in a hurry and will keep fans and media from having unrealistic expectations.
"That is why when a week or two ago in an interview and someone asked, 'Did you start too low in the rankings to be able to make the playoffs?,' " Kiffin recalled. "What are you thinking about discussing FAU in the playoffs? That's ridiculous."
The Owls spent all offseason listening to how they were expected to be this year's media darling. Last year's success played a large part, but most of it was because of Kiffin's popularity. His presence still draws interest from fan bases at his previous stops that include Alabama, Tennessee and the NFL's Oakland Raiders.
While many are expecting an immediate turnaround, Kiffin said last Saturday's performance is a reminder of how far the Owls' program still has to go.
"So, I have tried to manage throughout the offseason and leading up to this game the reality of where this program was a year ago and that you don't just turn into a top-five program in the country in one year," Kiffin said.
