Here are five takeaways from head coach Matt Rhule's media availability on Monday.
1. Bowl eligibility is on the line
The Bears are one win away from meet Rhule's goal of becoming bowl eligible after posting a 1-11 record in his first season.
But he doesn't want his players to look too far ahead and forget the opponent in front of them on Saturday in Iowa State.
"If we ever start concentrating on external things, then we won't really be ready for what's in front of us," Rhule said. "Anytime you worry about anything else other than the task at hand, it is poisonous.