CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: GEORGIA VS TCU

January 7, 2023

Dee Winters

SoFi Stadium

TCU Horned Frogs

Press Conference

Q. The way that you guys came out and opened that game, watching you guys fly around against Michigan. Where did you get the energy to start that game?

DEE WINTERS: I think it was something that all the guys kind of had built up throughout the week. You had a month to prepare. I think everybody was just excited to play and then play against Michigan.

Q. How do you find that same energy against this squad here and keep that same mentality that you had against Michigan going into this game here against Georgia?

DEE WINTERS: I think that's something that Coach Kaz has done a great job of, just keeping the same goals every week and going out there and doing our job and playing fast and physical.

Q. How does the challenge change? What is the biggest challenge this week against Georgia compared to what you guys saw last week against Michigan?

DEE WINTERS: I think just they can do it all. I think we just have to execute on defense and offense as well.

Q. When you look at the different ways, obviously the challenge you had at Michigan, we talk about so much of it -- the physicalness, the offensive line, the running game and all of it. When you look at the fact that you've got three different running backs at Georgia, quarterback can run a little bit too, how does that change things for you?

DEE WINTERS: Stetson Bennett is a great quarterback. He can extend plays for them. But I think our biggest thing is just containing him in the pocket and stopping the run and making him one-dimensional.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think this team has done a tremendous job of not letting the outside noise get to us and not worrying about what social media is saying and stuff like that. I think everyone has the same goal in mine, and that's to go 1-0 every week, and we've been proving that.

Q. A little bit about the contrast from when Sonny Dykes came in?

DEE WINTERS: I think just attention to detail, their intensity of doing your job. Both coaches do a great job of doing that. They just play what they're capable of.

Q. You went from being wide receiver to linebacker. What are some similarities? What are some challenges?

DEE WINTERS: I would say translating from receiver to linebacker, I think it's just the ability to change directions so quickly. I think running routes and then kind of just moving laterally just kind of came together, just my style of play as a linebacker.

Q. What in this Georgia team, what stands out to you in their offense?

DEE WINTERS: The first thing that stood out to me, they were big, but they like to use their tight ends. Brock Bowers is a great tight end they try to use a lot as a Swiss Army knife, and that's something we're going to have to contain.

Then they've got the three running backs that are really good that they rotate with. I think just stopping the run and kind of making them one-dimensional, I think that will be a good game for us.

Q. Thursday I stayed in Burton. They're shutting down the town for you on Monday. I was wondering, looking back at small town Texas, what's that like being here but also knowing where you're from?

DEE WINTERS: It means a lot, especially coming from Burton. Not a huge population of people, but I'm just excited to be representing Burton, and I can't wait to showcase what I've been through, through this journey, and make Burton proud.

Q. Coach Hodde was saying that you actually volunteered to clean the hog pen? You wanted to do that. Take me through what possessed somebody to want to do that?

DEE WINTERS: When I transferred to Burton my freshman year, I knew he was like a pig guy. And I'd always give him a rough time saying how much I wanted to just be around him and kind of help him out a little bit.

So I just wanted to throw a little message in there before we got going this week.

Q. You got a favorite at the Shortstop? What's your go to?

DEE WINTERS: I would get a bacon cheeseburger, no lettuce, no tomatoes, and then I'd get some tater tots on the side. Pretty good.

Q. You made one of the game changing plays last week, the pick six. Walk me through that play and just kind of what you saw.

DEE WINTERS: So before the possession started, I knew any time they put the tight end out at number one, he was always going to run like a short route, a dig, a slant, something kind of intermediate.

So I was just playing run first and then just dropping back in my zone, reading his eyes. He threw it, and I just happened to make a pick and then run it all the way back.

Q. You mentioned Georgia's tight ends earlier, obviously Bowers, and we'll see about Washington, his status. What makes them different and maybe more challenging to guard compared to a team that's got more speed and big time weapons on the outside? You have to watch those tight ends. What's the challenge there?

DEE WINTERS: I think the biggest challenge is they can do it all as well. Their receivers are taller, 6'5", 240, whatever the case may be. Any time you have a tight end like that, it's kind of hard to defend, but I think we're up for the challenge, and we're excited.

Q. Have you ever seen the tight end jet sweep like the one they use with Brock Bowers? Not personally.

DEE WINTERS: They're the only team I've seen do it. Like I said, he's a good player, and we're excited for the challenge to play against him.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, on the practice field?

Q. The real field.

DEE WINTERS: Oh, the real field?

Q. Do you remember that? Did you experience that?

DEE WINTERS: There's been a lot of touchdowns scored on that field. I'm sure I've ended up that in that corner a few times, but I can't really remember any right off the top of my head.

Q. Your grandmother and family are in Burton?

DEE WINTERS: I have two younger sisters that still attend Burton. They're juniors.

Q. What has this ride been like for you guys? You were faced with doubters every step of the way to the Championship.

DEE WINTERS: I think it's been a great experience for us. Like I said, all year we've been doubted. I think Kaz and Coach Dykes have done a great job of not letting the outside noise get in and kind of conversating that with our players.

I think the guys have done a tremendous job of locking in and trying to go 1-0 every week.

Q. So Georgia as an offense, what have you guys seen on tape? What are you expecting from this offense?

DEE WINTERS: I think just utilizing their tight ends a lot. Michigan did it a few times to us using Loveland and stuff like that. So I expect them to just come in and try to target Brock Bowers a lot, and that's really it.

Q. When you look at the opportunity here, you're playing a Georgia team that's also trying to prove something by winning back-to-back championships. How exciting is that for you guys too? To have a chance to go play one of the teams at the top of this sport and beat them?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's a great opportunity to come in and win. It's hard. It's a very hard challenge to go in and beat the defending national champs, but we're up for the challenge.

We've been doubted all year, so it's nothing new to us. We kind of just use it as motivation to go out there and play even harder.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think it was just details. This coaching staff has done a tremendous job of just locking in with details and kind of making us do everything right, starting off little and taking care of those things.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Big 12, I feel like it's a very physical conference. When you go play 11 games straight, it kind of wears on the body. Like you said, it's a great experience, and I think that's what's helped us get this far.

Q. Two questions. First one, who on the team gives the best pregame speeches? Two, what kind of (indiscernible) at TCU are you worried about?

DEE WINTERS: I'll answer the first question. Josh Newton is definitely the guy to give the best pregame speeches. He gets everyone hyped.

Two, I don't know how to answer that one.

Q. You're not worried about (indiscernible)?

DEE WINTERS: No, I'm just focused on the game.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, I think the hypno-toad kind of gives everybody a lot of energy and kind of motivates everybody to go out there and play their hardest.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Receiver but -- no, you're good.

Q. I know it's not typical. What was it like being in that position? Hey, they see you as something else.

DEE WINTERS: It was kind of frustrating freshman year. You come in, you expect to play a certain position. You have, like I said, a certain position in mind, and coaches think otherwise.

So, yeah, it was definitely frustrating, but you have to think about it in the long run. What will your position look like in the future, two years, three years away from your freshman year.

I think it just means you're an athlete. At the end of the day, you can do it all. So I just kind of took it as a blessing, and I was excited to translate, and it's gotten me this far.

Q. Going from receiver to linebacker, what's it like to learn?

DEE WINTERS: It was definitely a new lingo, a new language for me. Definitely knowing your play before you do it is way easier than anticipating the offense's play.

But I think just going out there and playing football at the end of the day is something that you just have to realize at the end of the day.

Q. When did you feel this is what I can do?

DEE WINTERS: I think beginning of my sophomore year I kind of got the hang of the defense, and I started to feel a little bit comfortable and knew kind of formations and stuff like that. So I would say about the beginning of my sophomore year.

Q. The biggest challenge heading into this matchup?

DEE WINTERS: I think just focusing and locking in before the big game day. I think everything else will take care of itself.

Q. If you could describe this team in one word, what would you use?

DEE WINTERS: Fearless.

Q. Why is that?

DEE WINTERS: I think, like I said earlier, these guys have done a tremendous job of not letting outside noise in. We've been trying to go 1-0 each week no matter what anyone says.

Q. You guys are at SoFi here in L.A. What is the one place that would be at the top of your list to go see?

DEE WINTERS: I want to go to the Hollywood Sign. I want to see what that's about.

Q. There was so much bulletin board material before the Michigan game. How did that motivate you last weekend and where do you get the driving motivation from?

DEE WINTERS: I think it was a lot of stuff being said. We feel like the Big 12 is a physical team. I think everyone was excited, plus the month wait before the big game.

So I think just all the guys were excited to play and we went out there and showcased that.

Q. I think that after that first play, that first big run, (indiscernible). How did you bring that shape together after that first big run?

DEE WINTERS: I think it was just jitters. Everyone, you're on a big stage. We've never been there before. I think just calming them down, telling them next play mentality. Guys just kind of took it into consideration and calmed down a little bit and just went out there and played our game.

Q. That "next play" when you're on the sideline, you heard that mantra repeated over and over and over again. How has that been instilled in you guys from back to spring ball?

DEE WINTERS: Kaz has done a great job always telling us next play. No matter if it's good or bad, just go to the next play and go from there.

Q. You can't talk to a TCU player without Kaz being brought up at some point. What does he do for you?

DEE WINTERS: He's a great mentor, father figure, someone you look up to being and want to be the older you get. I think he's just done a tremendous job with us and kind of leading us psychologically and getting us better each and every day.

Q. You mentioned psychologically. What is that mental thing he does?

DEE WINTERS: He does a bunch of stuff with us psychologically. Just educating us on how to control your composure, how to have emotional flexibility, stuff like that. It's just kind of changed everyone's mentality.

Q. You talked about the jitters in the semifinals, walking out on the big stage and have everyone's eyes on you. As a leader on this team, how do you prevent guys from getting too high or too low?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's just pretty much just coming down to the realization at the end of the day it's still football. You've just got to play your game and not let the crowd get the best of you.

Q. Your preparation (indiscernible).

DEE WINTERS: I had a tremendous amount of time to just kind of prepare for Michigan. We knew they flew around the ball. That's all we heard.

I just took the time out of my day to just kind of recognize formations, starting with the O-line and working to the quarterback.

Q. The most prepared you've been for a game with a month to prepare?

DEE WINTERS: Yes, definitely.

Q. Now it's compressed. How did you approach the preparation for Georgia?

DEE WINTERS: Just immediately getting over the last game and preparing for it.

Q. Right after?

DEE WINTERS: Yes.

Q. Did you watch their game right after you won?

DEE WINTERS: Right to it, yes, sir.

Q. What did you see?

DEE WINTERS: First thing that stuck out to me was their use of tight ends. I think Brock Bowers is just a great tight end and they utilize him a lot.

Q. I've done this a long time. Not everybody wins the first semifinal and then immediately watches the second game with wheels turning in preparation. Were you doing that on your own?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, me and Shadrach Banks, we were roommates in Arizona. So we just wanted to see who would win that game and kind of was just picking a few points here and there that they like to do and stuff like that. So I think that was just something that me and Shad wanted to do.

Q. What's it been like since that night? Is there time every day you carve out on your own to get ready?

DEE WINTERS: Pretty much any time I get time away from the facility without my coaches, I kind of start picking at a lot of film and kind of picking out their tendencies.

Q. So you guys have been taking this in and enjoying it, this stage of being here?

DEE WINTERS: I think everyone's definitely pretty excited to be here. I think we'll definitely enjoy it if we win, but I think the guys are just excited to play right now.

Q. Is there a looseness about kind of playing with house money?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, I think everyone's just kind of playing loose right now. Just playing our game, not letting the big stage get to us right now.

Q. What's the mindset?

DEE WINTERS: I think the mindset is just to go 1-0 every week. Play fast and physical, like Coach Gillespie preaches, and just come out and play our hearts out.

Q. Talk about the play (indiscernible).

DEE WINTERS: I think it's just coming down and doing your job, discipline, details, stuff like that. Coach Kaz always preaches those things to us, and we just want to execute.

Q. Coach said the focus here is defense. How have you adopted that?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's something that Kaz kind of instilled in me at first. I was always a lead by example kind of guy, not too vocal. But he told me the best linebackers, they talk. They communicate to their players and stuff. I think that's something that he just instilled in me.

Q. Georgia has been here obviously. Why is this moment not too big for you?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's a big moment for us. But I think it's just guys aren't as worried about it as much as the media expects us to. Guys just want to go out there and prove we deserve to be here and just be ready to play.

Q. What have you learned the most in the semifinal game? Anything about being in that atmosphere that helped prepare you guys for this game?

DEE WINTERS: I would definitely say just playing our game. Not worry about what the other team is going to do, just play our game, and that's fast and physical on the defensive standpoint.

Q. You talked about you played a little bit in scrimmage against the tight ends. Can you talk about what it's been like for you?

DEE WINTERS: Coach Gillespie does a great job with his game plans and his preparation. He just wants me to be able to kind of slow them down for the safeties to kind of get a better read of what that is. If the tight end or whoever it is blocks down, I'm just a free player, so I can just go play ball at the end of the day.

Q. How tough is it playing against the different formations with the same personnel?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's very tough. Any time you get a team that can pretty much have the same personnel in different formations, I think it's pretty tough to guard them. But I think that's for Coach Gillespie to worry about. We just go out there and do what he tells us.

Q. Going up against the Georgia offense, Stetson Bennett, what do you expect?

DEE WINTERS: He's a great quarterback. I think the reason why they're so successful is because he can extend plays. And I think the biggest thing for us is just keeping him in the pocket and making him throw the ball downfield inside the pocket.

Q. Tell me a little bit about Mark Perry. His first year at TCU, but how has he kind of moved along with you guys?

DEE WINTERS: Mark's been pretty successful in his defense. As soon as he came in, he was bought in right away. I think all the guys just appreciate his hard work and his dedication to the team.

Q. Is he a leader? Is he vocal? What kind of qualities does he bring?

DEE WINTERS: He brings a bunch of qualities. I think vocal and a very hard worker is something that he always comes to do. He's always showing up to work.

Q. Talk about the ability of this team in all these close games to play your best. What do you think has allowed guys to play at such a mature level in those big moments?

DEE WINTERS: I think just realizing, at the end of the day, it's just football, not letting the moment get too big for us. I think coming out and just playing football at the end of the day.

Q. Max Duggan talked about it's kind of a mentality. How would you describe that mentality?

DEE WINTERS: It's definitely fearless, I would say. No matter if our back's against the wall, everyone is going to sit there and fight until the clock says 00. At the end of the day, I'm proud of these guys, and we're excited to play on Monday.

Q. How much does Coach Kaz, how much does that factor into you guys being on top?

DEE WINTERS: When we're not on the field, we're pretty much with him, I would say. He's done a great job, just psychologically preparing us, educating us. I think the guys' mentality, just everyone's mentality has changed, and I think that's something that's been so successful for us.

Q. Was there a buy in moment? Did it take a little time for it to work? What made you buy in?

DEE WINTERS: I think just he was definitely a tone setter. The first day we met him, he just came in and kind of just set the record straight, told us what we're going to do. I kind of just bought in from there, and it's led us this far.

Q. What would this mean for you guys to win this?

DEE WINTERS: I think that's something everyone has in mind. I think it would definitely mean a lot for the city of Ft. Worth. I think it's just something that you can't even really speak on until it happens. So I can't wait to see what happens on Monday, and we're excited to play.

Q. Does it motivate you to know that a lot of people consider you to be in the underdog role?

DEE WINTERS: I think it kind of helps motivate us a little bit, but we're not too worried about what's going on on the outside. We just kind of stay with what's inside the locker room and inside the locker room only.

I think it's just going out and playing our game at the end of the day and coming out with a victory hopefully.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Coach Gillespie, we desperately needed a stop for our offense to go out and get a game-winning drive going. I think the biggest thing was coming down and doing our job, and it all came down to details.

Q. We're talking about walking into SoFi. What's that been like?

DEE WINTERS: I think just walking -- pretty much walking into SoFi, seeing the stadium, kind of getting a new experience. I think everybody has pretty much been in Dallas Cowboys Stadium at TCU.

But seeing something different and kind of visualizing yourself playing on a big stage like that.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's definitely a great experience out here. But I think everyone is locked in, not letting it get too big. I think Kaz has done a great job telling us to keep our composure. At the end of the day, it's just football.

Q. What was it about? What was your mindset? How did that help you win?

DEE WINTERS: I think just the mindset to go out there and play our hearts out, no matter for what reason -- our teammates, our brothers. I think that was the biggest thing for us is to just go out and play for each other and come out with the victory.

Q. How will that feel to be part of TCU history?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, it's something that you can't really explain. I think, once it happens, I think a few words might pop up. Other than that, it's something that's surreal and you can't really explain.

Q. What were some of the conversations from the veterans who have been here when you first got a chance to meet Coach Dykes?

DEE WINTERS: It was definitely different for us, being under Coach P for three years and then letting Coach Dykes come in. I think it was just coming to a conclusion that we just wanted to be there for everyone. Everyone loved TCU. Everyone loved Ft. Worth. So there was no reason to leave.

I think everyone was excited when he came in. He's had a winning tradition, and we were all ready to go to work.

Q. What's it been like for players and team having responsibility for what's happening on and off the field?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's just, like you said, this is a player led team. Coach Dykes, the first day he came in, he said it. This is going to be our team. He's going to lead us. I think the guys were just excited about him saying that.

I think it's played a big role in our football, our style of play, and I think that's the reason why you see us so loose during the game.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think it's going to be very surreal. Nobody's been this far. I think all the guys are going to appreciate this, and I think everyone's excited.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I would say Cam Newton is someone I pretty much watched growing up at Blinn. I was ten minutes away, went to all the college football games there. He's someone I aspire to be every day.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Doing your job, I think that's one of his favorite phrases. Doing your job every day. Just coming hard to work and work hard. Just in and -- yeah, that's really it.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think pretty much everyone thinks they can win a National Championship. That's everyone's goal. The moment I realized that this team was special was when we found a way to win 5 out of 6 games within three points or something like that. I kind of knew this team was special, and that's how I kind of knew we were going to be something.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Roll Toad, and I miss and love you, Mom.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: For TCU's fan base? I think they've done a tremendous job just kind of coming out and supporting us. I think all the guys have appreciated them so much and are excited to play.

Q. Rolling up to the stadium straight from the airport, what that's like?

DEE WINTERS: It just kind of gives us a little glimpse of what we're getting ourselves into. I think all the guys are excited to play, like I said. When we got into SoFi, it was like, yeah, this thing is about to happen, and it's going to be a good one.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, we've been the underdog all year for a majority of the time. I think it's just something that kind of just fuels us as a team. We see it all the time. I think it's something that the guys just take to the chin and go out there and prove ourselves each week.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think we had a couple transfers that came in like that. Johnny Hodges and Josh Newton, Mark Perry, just being three of them on our starting D. They just kind of showed us how grateful we were. I think they just brought a different type of energy that everyone wanted to play with and kind of give identity to this defense.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, it's hit me a couple times, but I'm just excited to represent a small town like Burton and kind of just put them on the map.

Q. Whenever you're done playing, will you go back to Burton?

DEE WINTERS: I haven't thought that far ahead, but hopefully I'll end up back in Burton, yeah.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, that was just a great experience. I kind of just fell in love with TCU immediately. I felt like it was a small college. It's something that I was kind of used to being in Burton. I just like to have that kind of relationship with my professors. So I think that was just a great transition for me personally.

Q. Along those lines, the big talk in your town by now is they're unhappy that, when they announce you, they say you're from Brenham. They say you're theirs.

DEE WINTERS: So pretty much my house is literally on the midpoint of Brenham and Burton. I think my zip code and my address says Brenham. That's the reason why they say I'm from Brenham, but yeah, I'm pretty much from Burton.

Q. Coach Gonzalez said the first time he visited the town he missed the driveway. Do you remember him coming into town and recruiting you?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, he did a tremendous job just telling me how great TCU was. I mean, I already knew. I remember meeting him my sophomore year or junior year of high school.

Q. How many were in your graduating class?

DEE WINTERS: 27, yeah.

Q. How many students total?

DEE WINTERS: I think it was 300 from K through 12. Maybe, if that.

Q. You played football, baseball, basketball.

DEE WINTERS: And track.

Q. Did you ever think about, they said you could play baseball. Did you ever think that football would be it, or did you have an option?

DEE WINTERS: I considered baseball, but I think at the end of the day, I stayed in love with football, and I wanted to do something else physical and kind of let a little anger out if I had the opportunity to.

Q. What kind of adjustments do you need to make to play against Georgia?

DEE WINTERS: I don't necessarily think we need to change anything. I think we just need to go out there and play our style of football, and that's fast and physical as it is. And just kind of doing our job.

Q. (No microphone). What is it about this staff, Coach Dykes?

DEE WINTERS: I think just kind of just letting us be us at the end of the day. I think just letting them -- emphasizing on doing our job, and I think everyone kind of bought in pretty soon. I think that's what made us so successful.

Q. Anything similar to the previous one?

DEE WINTERS: I would say it's definitely a lot different. There's a few things that's similar, but the majority is a little different. It's a fast defense that's designed for your linebackers to shoot gaps.

Q. Patterson seemed to scream more. Basically Coach Dykes seems laid back. How do you guys -- what makes him great?

DEE WINTERS: Like you said, he allows his players to make mistakes, and you don't have to worry about getting chewed out. But I think he's a great coach because he's just there for everyone and he's a great mentor for us.

Q. Can you talk about all of Georgia's weapons in the passing game?

DEE WINTERS: I think they utilize pretty much everybody. Running back's good. Quarterback's good, tight ends. I think that's something we're going to have to come and be ready for.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think Max, Kendre, all those guys, Derius Davis, Taye have done a tremendous job just proving how explosive they are and how explosive the TCU offense is. I think looking at that is something we're kind of used to at this point.

Q. (Question about Damar Hamlin's injury).

DEE WINTERS: I wasn't physically watching the game, but as soon as I woke up and saw it on media, it was something that definitely took the breath from me and kind of just came back to reality. It was definitely a devastating moment for us. It definitely changed my mindset on a few things.

I think just playing football is just a sport that it's bound to happen.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think any time you get teammates like that, those are the guys that motivate you and just kind of give you that push forward to where you know you'll do anything for your brothers. I think that's something that he showed.

Q. I hate to ask you about Burton because whoever is typing this is probably wondering why I'm asking. Did any of your teammates go back with you during the summer?

DEE WINTERS: I think maybe Darwin Barlow transferred to USC, but I took him back one time.

Q. Anybody on the current team?

DEE WINTERS: Nobody on the current team.

Q. I met one of your sisters. What are their names?

DEE WINTERS: Ciara and Tiara.

Q. And they're juniors?

DEE WINTERS: Yes.

Q. They're pretty good athletes?

DEE WINTERS: Basketball players, yes, sir.

Q. What did you play in basketball?

DEE WINTERS: Point guard.

Q. In baseball?

DEE WINTERS: Centerfield, shortstop.

Q. And relays strictly in track?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, I did all the relays.

Q. In the close games you've been in, is there one for you that stands out?

DEE WINTERS: I definitely would say Baylor too is one of the closer ones. When we found a way to win, I knew this team was going to be something special.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: No, but I think some of the younger guys from that generation have done a tremendous job telling us how proud they are of us and just to keep going.

Q. Like Andy Dalton?

DEE WINTERS: Andy Dalton, Jason Verrett, those guys, yeah.

Q. What about this team, first time for the national championship, and you go out there and it's Michigan.

DEE WINTERS: I think just keeping our composure. I think the coaches do a great job of just explaining to us to keep our composure. At the end of the day, just do our job. Be disciplined. Be detailed. Every time we've done that, we came out with a win.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, I'm not sure. I think, if you definitely dive into each team and you see what they're capable of, you'll have respect for them. I think that this game will be a great matchup.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I would definitely explain that we just come to do our job. We come to play fast, physical football, and we deserve to be here.

Q. Why is there a stack?

DEE WINTERS: It kind of puts linebackers in a mentality where you're designed to shoot a gap, and you have one gap and that's your gap. So any time you make a job that simple, I think it's easier for the linebackers to just come out there and do their job.

Q. And it's meant for linebackers to drop in the box and go back for coverage. How fun is that?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, any time you can just be free, I think that's something that just makes football all fun again. When you have that job, it's something that you enjoy.

Q. What kind of person is Coach Gillespie?

DEE WINTERS: He's a straightforward guy. Sometimes can be goofy. Definitely a father figure to all of us, and we're excited to have him.

Q. When you're facing a quarterback like Georgia's guy, an experienced quarterback, mature, older, is that different facing a guy like that?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, it's definitely different. The guy knows the ins and outs of his offense. He's been in this position before. I think just coming out and playing our game and kind of keep him in the pocket, it will help us tremendously.

Q. 1938 is a long time ago.

DEE WINTERS: Oh, yeah.

Q. I read today you could do something that hasn't been done in 80-some-odd years.

DEE WINTERS: I think it's something that this team has in mind. I think it will resonate if we win even more. If we come out with the win, I think it will make everyone else.

Q. Where the team was last year with 5-7, earning a new coach. Are you shocked? How surprised are you?

DEE WINTERS: I would say I'm a little shocked. Every year in fall camp everyone thinks they're National Championship contenders, but I think just actually being here is so much different. I think all the guys are excited.

Q. How much has the new coach coming in made it different this year? How much do you attribute to him?

DEE WINTERS: I think Coach Dykes and Kaz and all the coaching staff has done a tremendous job with us, just kind of leading us this way and giving us the ins and outs of this program, and I think the guys just bought in immediately.

Q. How is this team -- narrowed to one thing, what makes this team different than any other team?

DEE WINTERS: In one word?

Q. One thing that makes this team different, separating from previous teams?

DEE WINTERS: I think just doing our job. I think everyone trust their teammates, their brothers right beside them, they do their job, and it allows everybody to play fast.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Max Duggan.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: Dreams and nightmares.

Q. What's the weirdest thing you eat on game day?

DEE WINTERS: Dry noodles. That's pretty weird.

Q. Who's the last person on the bus?

DEE WINTERS: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.

Q. Describe hypno-toad.

DEE WINTERS: Hypno-toad is just something that gives everybody energy at a moment that we need it desperately, and I think everyone feeds off of it.

Q. Bad haircut or bad outfit?

DEE WINTERS: I'd rather have a bad haircut.

Q. Ribs or brisket?

DEE WINTERS: Ribs easily. It just tastes better. Ribs are just way better than brisket, and brisket contains like too much fat sometimes.

Q. Who on the team do you think best embodies TCU?

DEE WINTERS: Gunnar Henderson. Someone who's fearless a little bit. He has a little fearless in him, and he comes to work every day. I think we're excited to have him.

Q. Do you think he can shoot blood out of his eyes?

DEE WINTERS: If you make him mad enough and he gets his game going, he's capable of shooting blood out of his eyes.

Q. Who has the best facial hair?

DEE WINTERS: Facial hair? I don't look at the guys like that. But D.J. Rogers. We'll go with D.J. Rogers. He has a nice shaved beard, kind of smooth. He's over there just laughing. You can probably see him right now.

Q. Are you traveling up?

DEE WINTERS: Up.

Q. You look at Georgia's offense, especially Stetson Bennett, how he extends the plays. How does it work as a linebacker?

DEE WINTERS: I think that's something that's very critical. I think just keeping him in the pocket will kind of digress a lot of the plays that they make. Like you said, he's a great quarterback. Keep him in the pocket, extend plays. If we stop him, keep him in the pocket, I think it will be a great game for us.

Q. In terms of the offense, what have you seen from this running back group?

DEE WINTERS: They rotate three great running backs, 2, 6, and 30. I think any time you see great running backs, I think it's just a great opportunity for linebackers to just go out there and showcase what you have. I think everyone's ready to go Monday.

Q. Last thing. Someone over in Georgia who worked in Texas for a few years. What does it mean for you and your program as a whole that you are the first team from Texas to go to the National Championship and also got (indiscernible)?

DEE WINTERS: I think it means a lot, especially from Texas. I think that just shows what Texas recruits and Texas staff are capable of.

Q. On the pick six against Michigan, how did it feel when you crossed the end zone?

DEE WINTERS: My time of day lining the tight end up to number one, I knew he was running some sort of short route, whether it be slant, dig, those type of intermediate routes. So I kind of just dropped back in zone, just kind of reading his eyes. Luckily he threw it, and it ended up in my hands.

Once I caught it, it was kind of surreal. It felt like it wasn't even me, if I had to explain it. It was definitely a cool moment.

Q. But being in the zone, not being able to see the receiver go behind you, that must be like the most ideal play that could possibly happen. How does it feel to execute it?

DEE WINTERS: I think Coach Gillespie has done a great job just preparing us for those things. He talked to us about it all weekend. To finally execute in the game and definitely in the big moment that we needed it, it just meant the world to us, and we were excited.

Q. Coach Gillespie, what type of impact has he made on the play style and also mentality?

DEE WINTERS: His mentality is just go play fast, physical football. I think he's just been a great father figure to everyone and a great mentor. I think all the guys just kind of bought in, and we're excited to have a coach like that, who pretty much just allows us to be ourselves and isn't afraid to make a mistake during the game.

Q. I heard Gillespie will lift weights with the players. Is that true?

DEE WINTERS: I haven't seen him lift weights, but I have seen him hitting a few stretches in and a few overs on the football field.

Q. Lastly, how does it feel knowing that you are representing the Big 12?

DEE WINTERS: I think it means a lot. It shows you how tough our conference is and how physical -- you know, the development in that whole conference is pretty much physical. I think we're just excited to play Monday.

Q. People say competition matters. Has that been something you've heard people say?

DEE WINTERS: We kind of laugh about it. We feel like the Big 12 is a great conference. It's a dogfight every week. No matter who it is, you have the possibility of losing.

So I think just coming out and playing our type of football, like I said, just fast and physical.

Q. You've won the battles in close games. Has that encouraged you?

DEE WINTERS: Yeah, I definitely would say it helped us tremendously, just knowing that we've been in that position before multiple times. Just kind of staying calm and just doing our job.

Q. Johnny Hodges says you remind him all the time that you played wide receiver.

DEE WINTERS: All the time. I just tell him how great of an athlete I was in high school and just kind of sharing memories.

Q. How do you take that performance you had in the Fiesta Bowl to the National Championship?

DEE WINTERS: Just doing my job and kind of playing downhill from the get go. Just kind of setting the tone and letting them know that we're here and that we're ready to play.

Q. A lot of talk about Michigan and you were underdogs. What's the mindset for you guys?

DEE WINTERS: We kind of take it to the chin and let it motivate us to show we're here for a reason and we're coming to play ball just like they are. And we're excited to see what Monday holds for us.

Q. Have you thought about the possibility of a Hollywood ending, you guys winning the National Championship?

DEE WINTERS: No, not yet. Just kind of waiting to see what happens on Monday. But I think everyone has done a great job just focusing on going 1-0 each week and coming out with the victory on game day.

Q. They say it's a Cinderella story.

DEE WINTERS: I definitely agree. I think that Cinderella story ended a long time ago. I think everybody comes here to play, and we come out to win.

Q. TNT, Ernie Johnson, says Bulldogs by 28 points. Shaquille O'Neal said to him, I'll eat a horned frog if that happens. You were mentioned on TNT basketball, so TCU's name is out there.

DEE WINTERS: That's something we definitely appreciate. Just putting us on this type of stage is definitely different for us, but I think it's something that people are going to start getting used to. The coaches, Dykes and Kaz, it's going to be tremendous for everybody.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: I think just being able to go 1-0 each week and being with the same guys. That's something that people don't really cherish, but I would say everybody pretty much cherishes on this team, and they're excited to see what Monday holds for us.

Q. Kind of fitting that you're playing the No. 1 team and defending National Champions against the best of the best. What would happen if you win?

DEE WINTERS: If that was to happen, I think everybody would kind of just give us a little bit more respect. I feel like all year we haven't been really respected. I think just going out and playing our game, and if we did come out with a victory, I think that's something that would definitely be on display.

Q. Give me one player that we all need to look for Monday night.

DEE WINTERS: I would say Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge, those two guys you want to look at.

Q. What was the thing you said you most wanted to see in L.A.?

DEE WINTERS: The Hollywood Sign. I've never seen it. I saw it in movies.

Q. You didn't get to see it?

DEE WINTERS: I saw it out my window, but I want to actually go to it.

Q. How many people at your high school?

DEE WINTERS: My graduating class was 27 people.

Q. You were a receiver?

DEE WINTERS: Yes. I feel like I'm an athlete at the end of the day. I can do it all.

Q. Blue Bell, underrated or overrated?

DEE WINTERS: Underrated. I think a lot of people like it, but it's still definitely underrated. People still eat Ben and Jerry's.

Q. Best freshman receiver?

DEE WINTERS: Jordan Hudson.

Q. (No microphone)?

DEE WINTERS: When I was in Burton, I just pretty much trained, lifted weights. I was mainly on the football field. Rode horses a few times, and just kind of hung out with friends. I hung out with Caleb, Cash Callahan, guys like that.

Q. Caleb said he was going crazy.

DEE WINTERS: In the semifinals? I had an opportunity to bring him out there and give him an opportunity to come out there and support, and he loved it.