Fans? What the hell is wrong with people?

[Wesley]

Realistically with our scheduile we might beat UNI and possibly Iowa. That is it. It could be the big zero also. If that happens, Austin Austad and Phil Bates will get some practice. We will have to plan for the easier schedule next year at that point.

The only sure win for a makeover team in my book was Kent State. i was wrong. They took us to the cleaners in one area - their qb could run to pick up first downs, our qb could not. I think Shaggy better get out there and practice a heck of a lot more. His first miss was very demoralizing and had us behind at halftime. Scoring 14 on a MAC team in our stadium on opening Gene night in a full stadium with perfect weather is totally unacceptable. How you can portay it as a learning experience is beyond me. The road gets much tougher very soon. If you want those Iowa boy recruits, you better beat Iowa. This was worse than Colorado losing at home to Colorado State. Wee wore down physically in defense and offensively mentally as game went on. Shudder to think what Oklahoma will do with us. We kept our position on field okay buit we then could not gang tackle much. We better hope our tackling abiltiy stays with us against better backs than Jarvis.

 

[Land Grant]

then give up on the team and don't come to any more games. that'll show 'em for trying to get us excited for the first time ever. fans like this are the reason that the media says it can't be done in ames iowa. i am starting to understand why. we really don't have a very good fan base.

Fine, let's let complacency rule the roost. I don't think its a bad thing for a very well paid staff to feel its feet to fire. Or an underacheiving team, for that matter.

Being a good fan does not mean that you look a poor performance in the eye and say "good nuff, boys."

I think the best things we fans can do is raise some hell. And I'll continue to do so. Since I'm still here, and have been for one helluva long time, I don't think that's band wagoneering.

 

[JonDMiller]

I think the biggest thing that our fans are having to come to grips with right now is the fact that there was so much buzz, excitement, and hype for this game which caused people to lose sight of reality when it comes to this football team.

That is simply so well put. I think you are exactly right.

It's a football SEASON. There will be ups and downs. Unfortunately for ISU, it started with a down right out of the chute, a gutshot due to all of the excitement surrounding the first game.

Most Cyclone fan predictions I saw were in the 3 to 5 win range, with exceptions of some real optimists.

This team will improve, because I refuse to believe the offense and defense will be that bland all season long.

 

[Cardinal2001]

It certainly sounded like the execution was the culprit. They had the gameplan to win, but we had too many miscues. Bass had the first 100 yard game by a rookie in his first game since Blaise Bryant. Plus they were all over Blythe, so they knew what a threat he was, and tried to deny him the ball. It sure sounds to me like Chizik had the right game plan.

KSU wore us down from our mistakes. We lost because we made too many mistakes, not because the coach sucked. Do I expect the fair weather fans to stray away from the real fans? Yep, they want instant satisfaction. Do I expect the real fans to give Chizik a few games to prove himself? Yep, they are in it for the long haul.

Sad thing is, this WILL affect the ticket sales. Just a fact of life. I just hope it doesn't hurt it too badly.

 

[Jeremy]

I agree, it's a double-edged sword. You have to pump up the fans to sell tickets but run the risk of being "disappointing" at the same time. I think a lot of fans have realized from day one that it was a marketing gimmick and not real hype for expectations. The problem is, not everybody has planned for a losing record this year when that's realistically the only outcome that should have been expected.

I just ask that people take a deep breath and look at the big picture. We're a below average team that for once seems to be learning how to get better. I'll put it this way... A year ago we would have looked at this game and said it's the same as what we'll see for the next game and the next year, etc. This year we look at it and see a silver lining with players and coaches that won't accept the same outcome again and again and again and again...

It's a different mentality in the locker room and I wish the fans could all realize that things aren't like they've been in the past. Chizik and staff don't play allegiances, they play the best player on every given day. Where Meyer could have banked on playing every snap this year with the old staff, he knows that if he doesn't improve this next week, he could very well be on the bench most of the UNI game. It's now about who's playing the best each day instead of playing who's been there the longest or who seems like a good guy.

We're now in this to win and not just to compete, it just takes time to get everything in line behind the staff.

 

[JonDMiller]

Sad thing is, this WILL affect the ticket sales. Just a fact of life. I just hope it doesn't hurt it too badly.

On the way home last night, I thought that whatever the tix sales number was at kickoff, might be the number for the rest of the year.

there will be more sales through the Iowa game, but that might be it. Still, a great total this year.

 

[akclone]

I don't think there is anything wrong with or a person is a bad fan if you expect to beat a Kent State and are pissed when we don't. I think we can all agree that it is not acceptable for the long term success of the program.

I am looking forward to the UNI game on sat., a chance for the team to redeem itself.

BTW wasn't it fun to actually watch a RB really run the football. JJ's performance was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal performance from the offense.

I thought the D played well given the situations the offense put them in. The lack of a real pass rush outside of blitz calls is disappointing.

I am 100% behind this team and so is everyone else that posts here and buys tickets even if they left early last night. We will improve.

 

[isugcs]

Jeremy, I appreciate the tough talk tempering.

I think for most fans, what they saw last night too closely resembled what was seen in the past. I think fans where at least hoping for something unexpected and at most something successful. However, you nailed it. Chizik has a system, but none of the resources (time, players, underlying culture, etc) needed to implement that system.

The good: After the loss, the hype will die down and Chizik will be able to work with less criticism to improve the team. This might turn out to be the best loss we've ever had (hard to believe that, I know).

 

[Becker]

Losing to Kent State is unacceptable. We are in the Big 12. No Big 12 team should ever lose to Kent State, even if they are picked to have a great year and win their conference. Will it happen? Yes, but that doesn't mean its acceptable. To get big things you have to expect big things. That was ISU's fault under Dan M. We accepted average years for way to long. You have to strive to get better.

I live in the heart of OU Sooner country. They don't accept anything less than an undefeated National Championship year. Why should we? We aren't OU or even close, but that doesn't mean we should accept defeat from anyone. I know it takes time to build a program, but the first step is setting goals. We must have high expectations to achieve our goals.

To say that I'm not a true cyclone because I think losing to Kent State is pathetic is BS. I just expect bigger and better things out of GC. I truly believe he is going to take this program to the next level and I think he does deserve time to build his own program. But you have to expect to win every game from day 1 and never accept defeat in order to become a solid program year in and year out.

In the mean time I'll continue to go to hole in the wall bars in Oklahoma, drink $1 bottles, and watch the games on my laptop through Clone Zone. Realistically we won't win every game, but I'll be cheering through every win and every lose.

 

[darts180]

Jeremy, I appreciate the tough talk tempering.

I think for most fans, what they saw last night too closely resembled what was seen in the past. I think fans where at least hoping for something unexpected and at most something successful. However, you nailed it. Chizik has a system, but none of the resources (time, players, underlying culture, etc) needed to implement that system.

The good: After the loss, the hype will die down and Chizik will be able to work with less criticism to improve the team. This might turn out to be the best loss we've ever had (hard to believe that, I know).

I resisted the urge to post last night because it would have been done emotionally.

I was listening to the call in show after the game, I don't know either of the guys names, but one of them said it exactly right.

He used kNU as an example, they are probably 4-5 best team in the conference (at this time, don't get mad Garn). And how many of our STARTERS would be in THEIR TWO DEEPS??? Maybe three on each side of the ball. I know that the Iowa State fans had a lot of smoke blown up our collective arses over the years about recruits, but the simple fact is that we are probably the least talented team in the Big 12 (maybe KU).

I said all along that I wanted to see good teaching done by this staff. Well, with all of the penalties, and the struggles offensively, I cannot say that I saw that. But I did see glimpses of what's to come, and I think that we have the right guys coaching. We just have to let them get their players.

Last night was a step back in momentum for the program. The sad part is if the fans allow it to take away from their momentum, and stop supporting this group.

 

[isugcs]

I listened to that as well. It was like a cold water dunk...

By the way, the radio guys were Bret Blum and some other guy that I should probably know, Reed I think was the last name. They both were good.

 

[cyclonenum1]

Losing to Kent State is unacceptable. We are in the Big 12. No Big 12 team should ever lose to Kent State, even if they are picked to have a great year and win their conference. Will it happen? Yes, but that doesn't mean its acceptable. To get big things you have to expect big things. That was ISU's fault under Dan M. We accepted average years for way to long. You have to strive to get better.

I live in the heart of OU Sooner country. They don't accept anything less than an undefeated National Championship year. Why should we? We aren't OU or even close, but that doesn't mean we should accept defeat from anyone. I know it takes time to build a program, but the first step is setting goals. We must have high expectations to achieve our goals.

To say that I'm not a true cyclone because I think losing to Kent State is pathetic is BS. I just expect bigger and better things out of GC. I truly believe he is going to take this program to the next level and I think he does deserve time to build his own program. But you have to expect to win every game from day 1 and never accept defeat in order to become a solid program year in and year out.

In the mean time I'll continue to go to hole in the wall bars in Oklahoma, drink $1 bottles, and watch the games on my laptop through Clone Zone. Realistically we won't win every game, but I'll be cheering through every win and every lose.

Ditto this!

I live in Baton Rouge and if LSU doesn't run the table and win the BCS National Championship this year the Head Coach is going to feel the heat...and they had four guys drafted into the NFL in the 1st from last year's team. By the way, they blew out Miss. St. last night and today everyone is talking about how poorly the offense played last night.

There are several issues that have been brought up in this thread regarding our coach and team...namely gameplanning, execution, and talent.

Gameplanning - I am comfortable that Chizik and his staff are quite capable in this area.

Execution - This is a coaching point and again I am confident that Chizik will find the guys that can be relied upon to carry out their assignments.

Talent - This is the area that cannot be "fixed" quickly. The reality is that McCarney left something less than a Big 12 caliber roster for Chizik. Chizik did a nice job of getting a class together last minute last February but, make no mistake, it was not the type of class he wants to get. Watch for Chizik to improve our overall team speed with future recruiting classes...SPEED IS THE KEY TO HAVING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE FB...THE TEAMS THAT HAVE THE BEST TEAM SPEED POSITION BY POSITION ARE THE TEAMS THAT PLAY IN THE BCS BOWLS.

 

[zmanzbo]

Whats wrong with complaining about the game it sucked. No matter how "great" kent state is supposed to be. Remember last year Toledo was supposed to be "great." No matter how you coat it, it sucks losing to a mid major.

 

[ISUFan22]

This is a good post. Far too many fans can't handle a loss, expected or ones that are unexpected.

If we lose, we lose. I don't expect anyone to take it with a smile, I sure wasn't happy last night. But posting angry isn't the way to go - unless you want to help in making CF an unhappy place and perhaps end up on the outside looking in, if your posts are too far out of line.

Just take a deep breath and relax.

Plus, keep in mind - if we feel this bad after a loss - imagine what the staff and players were thinking last night and today.

 

[cyclonenum1]

It's a different mentality in the locker room and I wish the fans could all realize that things aren't like they've been in the past. Chizik and staff don't play allegiances, they play the best player on every given day. Where Meyer could have banked on playing every snap this year with the old staff, he knows that if he doesn't improve this next week, he could very well be on the bench most of the UNI game. It's now about who's playing the best each day instead of playing who's been there the longest or who seems like a good guy.

We're now in this to win and not just to compete, it just takes time to get everything in line behind the staff.

I hope that I am not the only one that is completely sickened by the assertions above.

The old coaching staff played the "longest tenured players" and "good guys" over the players that performed the best?

The old coaching staff was happy with "competing" and did not really care about "winning"?

No wonder we never did anything special under McCarney. I cannot believe that we kept him for 12 years if people knew this is what was going on.

I have great confidence that Chizik will play the players that give us the best chance of winning...it's like Tiger Woods says (paraphrasing here)..."What do you think, I'm out here to get a farmer's tan? I'm out here to win!".

 

[Flag Guy]

Yes we all know it sucked. Thats what this game is for - better that it sucked now before we hit the Big XII schedule. Yes, we're gonna get the **** stomped out of us by the toughest big XII teams, and all right in a row, and it wont' be pretty, but if we played them last night it'd have been worse

The real thing we need to watch for though is how we play next week - see what changes are made. As others have pointed out, last year there wouldn't have been changes, I know. I went to 10 of the 12 games, and watched one of the others on TV. I saw maybe 2 or 3 different games last year...
Now if I see the same game played against UNI as I saw against Kent State, then I'll start to wonder a bit... but first loss, while not easy to swallow, isn't unrealistic either.

Us: New system, coach, lots of new players - aka we're trying to get our **** in a group Projected to finish at the bottom of the Big XII
Them: A team projected to win the MAC. Certainly they have something their **** in a group over there

 

[Jeremy]

I hope that I am not the only one that is completely sickened by the assertions above.

The old coaching staff played the "longest tenured players" and "good guys" over the players that performed the best?

The old coaching staff was happy with "competing" and did not really care about "winning"?

No wonder we never did anything special under McCarney. I cannot believe that we kept him for 12 years if people knew this is what was going on.

I have great confidence that Chizik will play the players that give us the best chance of winning...it's like Tiger Woods says (paraphrasing here)..."What do you think, I'm out here to get a farmer's tan? I'm out here to win!".

I'm not trying to make any insinuations (sp?) but I think it was clear at certain points that we didn't always play the best player for each position for each game. Maybe that's just my personal opinion.

I personally don't care if somebody's started for three years and a freshman starts over them the following year if the freshman is better. To me it was clear that wasn't how things were done previously. I think we all know that Mac would have Meyer starting every game this year regardless of Arnaud or Bates. Chizik doesn't play it that way and I think that's going to increase the competition on the team and make us much better in the long-run.

Just my opinion.

 

[bos]

Morale is a big thing to team. A loss hurt these guys, but its worse to have fans turn their backs on you. For the jerks who yelled horrid things to Chizik as he passed, shame on you. For those who booed the team, shame on you. Things didnt quite click, but dammit support your team or go support some other team. There are plenty of other folks out there willing to give these guys the support they deserve.

 

[ISU_Alum_2000]

The coaches have been saying it all along:

"We won't know what we have until we see them in actual game competition."

Now that the staff has learned a little more about their players, my guess is that we will see adjustments leading to improvement next week.

I know nobody wants to talk about EIU, but Ferentz was 4-19 in his first 2 seasons. It's a near-by example that we all know.

Give Chizik and the rest of the staff time.....

 

[ISU_Alum_2000]

Morale is a big thing to team. A loss hurt these guys, but its worse to have fans turn their backs on you. For the jerks who yelled horrid things to Chizik as he passed, shame on you. For those who booed the team, shame on you. Things didnt quite click, but dammit support your team or go support some other team. There are plenty of other folks out there willing to give these guys the support they deserve.

Did this actually happen?! :no:

I wasn't at the game last night (I will be at the next 2)... was there a significant amount of this behavior from ISU "fans" directed at Chizik and the team after the game?

These guys are going to experience some growing pains for a while. To behave like that would be extremely low-class, and potentially damaging to the players willingness to buy in to Chizik's staff's philosophies.