This is face-saving.
How can he lose with this line of drivel. Hey, I recruited great guys, I love KSU, they did the right thing. If KSU wins he can take credit and establish even more for his legacy and future recruiting. If KSU loses, he doesn't have to say anything. The implication being, they obviously needed me to coach all those studs again salvaging his legacy and reputation.
Expect to continue to see this rhetoric if we win. Expect to see silent rhetoric if we don't.