The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) places the Kansas State University football team second in this week's rankings. The top two teams at the end of the season play for the National Championship. Alabama is the current top ranked team.
Numerous articles and conversations express amazement at Kansas State's undefeated season to date against tough competition, considering the experts rank their recent recruiting classes low—lacking the talent of the other top programs.
This imbalance of talent, with K-State on the bottom end compared to their opponents perplexes media, fans, and probably coaches and players across America—the other coaches and players probably are hesitant for a public confession.
A number of factors exist in explaining how a team with little talent defeats and annihilates teams possessing superior talent. A few of these factors include.
- Better Coaching
- Inaccurate Recruiting Rankings
- Better Game Day Focus
- Greater Physical Preparation
- Greater Mental Preparation
- Injuries vs. Staying Healthy
- Enhanced Team Chemistry
- Selfishness vs Teamness (it's a word now J)
Bill "Congo" Congleton, became a Hall of Fame Coach and Coaching legend at Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas during the 1970s through the early 1990s. He shared wisdom with me while I served as one of his assistant coaches while I attended Kansas State during the late 1980s. Congo proclaimed his teams with average talent with above average intelligence will consistently defeat teams possessing above average talent with average intelligence. Congo's achievements validate his belief.
How does one measure intelligence? Grades or test scores fall short in measuring intelligence. Dr. Burns at Dallas Theological Seminary succinctly states, imperfect professors attempt to measure imperfect students with grades. Additionally, does equivalency exist between an "A" at two separate University's organic chemistry class? A future Rhodes Scholar recipient ruined the curve in my organic chemistry class at Kansas State. Does equivalency exist between an "A" with two different professors or graders?
I have visited with three different students of a renowned graduated school who turned in their papers and received a high or low score and then were asked to resubmit because the grader lost their scores. The students resubmitted the same paper, printing of a fresh copy. The exact same paper received nearly polar opposite scores with the second grading. In other words, how accurately do grades reflect intelligence?
One best define Congo's use of intelligence as Wisdom. Wisdom includes properly acting after collecting, and understanding information. Greater wisdom increases the volume of information and rate of response. Wisdom enables good decisions and constant monitoring with quick, proper adjustments.
If one possesses greater physical ability, yet acts with foolishness, or complacency—ignoring wisdom—they will consistently fall to those with less physical ability and greater wisdom. The well-known Bible story of David—a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22)—versus Goliath—the uncircumcised Philistine, illustrates wisdom versus talent (1 Samuel 16:1—17:58).
Where does one attain wisdom? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Begin with reverence, prayer and study of God's word.
Achieving greatness depends more upon wisdom than talent. Choose wisdom in honing, expanding and applying your talent. With prayer, joy, fellowship, and studying God's word, you too will be among the best in the nation and world in the endeavor God's calls you to engage. The great seldom receive fame, the famous often lack Godly wisdom.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
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