Defense or Offense First?

[cykick]

If you had to choose between sending the Defense on the field first or the Offense on the field first which would you choose and why?

I would put our Defense in first, Defense thrives on energy.. the hype of this game, the electricity generated from the NOW 60,500+, and the chance to establish that ISU can handle Iowa's Running game.

 

[awd4cy]

Defense. Give our offense good field position when they take the field hopefully as I believe our defense is going to have a decent day on Iowa.

 

[2020cy]

Good points. I was thinking offense and trying to strike first, but they were pretty slow out of the gate last week.

 

[NATEizKING]

Good points. I was thinking offense and trying to strike first, but they were pretty slow out of the gate every week.

for the past few years

 

[dualthreat]

Well I think ferentz has chosen to receive every time he wins the toss. Most everything other team, including iowa state and Paul Rhoads elect to kickoff.

I think it's safe to say our defense will start the game!

 

[Stormin]

If we win the toss, then defer. Pretty simple.

 

[jburke]

Defense, big stop right away can create a huge momentum shift...... Last year, our defense was soo bad I would have said the opposite....

 

[Wesley]

Double reverse with toss downfield.....no, going with the defense and a three and out....

 

[CYCLNST8]

Hayden Fry established a tradition of emphasizing taking the ball first and scoring on the first drive to set the tone. Danny Mac established the opposite philosophy. 100% iowa will have the ball first.

 

[LivntheCyLife]

In my opinion, you should always defer. I think there's a psychological advantage in the locker room at halftime when you know you're getting the ball to start the 2nd half. Plus, there's the chance you could have scored to end the 1st half and get two straight possessions.

And there's always the chance the opposing captains will screw up and give you the ball twice. Maybe not often in college but you won't believe how often it works in junior high football.

 

[Clonehomer]

This week I like the idea to take the ball. Iowa is very used to putting their offense out there first and they are remarkedly successful on that first drive. Mix things up for them and take the ball first.

 

[mkcrawford]

Agree with homer, take the ball - this week only. Trying to keep Iowa out of a rhythm will be a big factor, IMO. I think both Defenses will be hyped up on that first series and the Offenses should look to exploit that. If we have the ball and get catch them over-pursuing - we'll get some big plays. Punching it in on the first drive will set the tone for the players...and the crowd will be even more jacked!

 

[Omaha Cy]

I would always be a defense 1st guy. I want that extra possession in the 2nd half. ISU tends to struggle early on O anyways, so get the D and fired up crowd involved.

I also want the D to get maximum rest from halftime....adding on those extra minutes to start the 3rd qtr provides that.

 

[ajk4st8]

Instead of deferring or electing to kick off.

I would elect to defend the north endzone.

 

[Judoka]

Offense. Especially with how our return units played last week. A big return off the kickoff to grab the momentum and set up a short field would be a great way to start the game.

 

[RustShack]

Defense first, ball at half. Shouldn't even be a question.

 

[CycloneWarning]

In my opinion, you should always defer. I think there's a psychological advantage in the locker room at halftime when you know you're getting the ball to start the 2nd half. Plus, there's the chance you could have scored to end the 1st half and get two straight possessions.

And there's always the chance the opposing captains will screw up and give you the ball twice. Maybe not often in college but you won't believe how often it works in junior high football.

Yes, KF must be about the only coach in the country that does not follow the conventional wisdom of deferring, so Iowa always has the ball first, and it is virtually guaranteed to happen Saturday. Cannot imagine any scenario that CPR wants to put our slow starting offense on the field first.

 

[Goothrey]

Offense. Especially with how our return units played last week. A big return off the kickoff to grab the momentum and set up a short field would be a great way to start the game.

That's assuming the Iowa kicker allows for a returnable kickoff.

 

[ICHawk24]

Iowa's Marshall Koehn 8th in the country in touchback percentage last year.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/player/split01/category29/sort04.html

 

[CyFan61]

Instead of deferring or electing to kick off.

I would elect to defend the north endzone.

I know what you mean in practice - if you win the toss, you'd defer and basically force Iowa to choose to receive, and then defend the north end zone. But if you won the toss and chose which end to defend, your opponent would receive to start both halves.