Steelers' Mike Tomlin on facing Jaguars: 'We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent'

The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to a perfect 9-0 on the year with a dominant 36-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday ahead of the upcoming showdown with the 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars, a club that started sixth-round pick and rookie Jake Luton at quarterback the past two weeks. 

Despite what appears to be a massive mismatch on paper, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin had nothing but praise for his team's next adversary. 

"We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent this week," Tomlin explained when speaking with reporters on Tuesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "Every time we step into a stadium, we're playing professionals, players, and coaches. We've got a ridiculous level of respect for that. Write your story, follow your storylines about trap games and things of that nature. We understand what we're going into in Jacksonville, that that's a group that's trying to kick our butt. A professional group, capable group, and we're preparing with that understanding."

Tomlin likely was sending a message to his players about the importance of concentrating only on what's directly ahead. Pittsburgh has a short week following the trip to Jacksonville and will immediately begin preparations for a Thanksgiving night showdown with the rival Baltimore Ravens. 

The Steelers defeated the Ravens 28-24 back on Nov. 1, and the rematch was made more interesting after Baltimore lost to the New England Patriots on Sunday night to fall to 6-3 on the season and a tie with the Cleveland Browns in the division standings. 

Baltimore toppled Cleveland in the season opener. Those teams meet again on Dec. 14.

As for this weekend, the Ravens will welcome the Tennessee Titans to Baltimore on Sunday, while the Browns will host the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium.