Comparing ISU to Utah

[CyInDFW]

I disagree with this. Iowa, Wisconsin, Mizzou, Nebraska, even (sigh) Minnesota have been able to develop strong line play using kids from the midwest.

There is no reason ISU can't follow this same mold. There is certainly an uphill recruiting battle when Wisconsin and Iowa are so well known for putting linemen in the NFL, but if ISU wants to establish their identity (and I think they should) as a team focused on being physical at the point of attack and filling in the gaps from there, they can with the kids around here.

I should have worded my comment better I think. The big beef eaters that ISU is getting...not overall...the ones that ISU gets. Unfortunately we can't compete in getting the big boys from the midwest against teams like Wisconsin, Nebraska and even unfortunately Eastern Iowa University. That is why I think we need to start hitting the JCs hard for big, mean, mauling O linemen. Start a tradition of 1000 yard rushers, put some O linemen in the pros, and then we may be able to start stealing some of those guys from the more prominent schools.

 

[BigJ4CY]

Utah has 33 players of Polynesian decent on their roster this year, BYU has 25. That's one thing that Utah has the ISU doesn't have a chance at. Whether you want to say it or not, our big beef eatin midwestern boys are still not as strong on the O and D lines as Samoan and Tongan players.

There are still many similarities between the two schools and their pros and cons. It would be nice to see some improvement at least. I still say we go to a more run based offense. Work the clock, short dink and dime passes, it won't be pretty, but it also won't be something that the other schools practice and play against every day either. Most teams in the Big12 are built to stop the spread, wide open passing offenses...throw in a power run team, keep our defense off the field as much as possible.

I know...dreaming, but it's my dream dangit

We used to be a power running team who ran first and passed second. IIRC we were relatively successful at it but weren't able to sustain and build upon that success. Then everyone started going to the air raid/spread when Tech started running it under Leach, and we got left behind.

 

[ericyates50]

Coming from a TCU fan, so this should be taken with a grain of salt...

I honestly think ISU needs to find a way to differentiate themselves from the rest of the conference. Currently ISU runs pretty much the same offense as 3/4 of the conference with fewer elite athletes and less speed. Every player on every team see the ISU basic offense on a week in / week out basis. I honestly think ISU should try to totally differentiate themselves. I think a great team to emulate is Georiga Tech. A true triple option offense requires only a couple elite playmakers and a smart/quick QB (who does not even have to be able to throw that great). It is a difficult offense to prepare for if you only see it once a season. It might not be the flashiest or the most fun offense to watch, but it gives teams a chance to win.

Or maybe do what Arkansas does; get huge lineman and run the ball every single play.

But one thing these teams have in common is they are run based ball control teams (which you don't really see in the Big 12 aside from KSU).

This. Absolutely. ISU runs just a worse version with Less potency of the offenses the rest do. Throwing in an option run style would make them especially unique to prepare for, you always hear the phrase you can prepare for the option run all you want and probably still can't stop it always. Look at the success GTAir Force and Navy have with it, even with AF and Navy dealing with probably the hardest recruiting barrier there is of being a service academy. Little known story, the Big 12 invited Air Force a few years back and AF turned down the offer but many coaches in the big 12 publically voiced they were happy with that because they didn't want a pesky option offense like that to make their lives miserable and risk upsetting the big dogs. I may be biased as someone who grew up in Colorado Springs with season tickets to AF, but their style of play just works, if you get the right talent. Go get a Calhoun from AF or Navy's Niumatalolo or a good option coach and run that you can give a game to any team just based on unique style and certainly puts Isu more on the map

 

[dualthreat]

Hoping that the next staff realizes this and builds the team around mauling line play.

Ftr, this is exactly what mangino is trying to do. First thing he did was go and get Wendell Taise. He's beefing up our guys up front as fast as he can.

 

[dualthreat]

Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech has made a bowl game every year he's been at GT (7), made 2 Orange bowls, and routinely has one of the top offenses in the country. Last year they were top 10 in total offense and scoring offense.

 

[runbikeswim]

I was actually thinking about this watching their last game on TV. Small state, just recently moved up from mid major status, not a lot of P5 tradition. BYU casts a long shadow in state. And they ate killing it. Of course they did hire Urban Meyer a while back, so I guess we have another example of the impotence of the right coaching hire.

Are you guys deluding yourselves???? Utah has won like 25 conference championships....have been in BCS Championship series bowl games, where do you think Urban Meyer came from????

 

[heitclone]

Meyer and Whittingham made Utah different than ISU. In other words, the right hire can turn a program around.

 

[Cydkar]

I'm guessing that's not the word you meant.

It perfectly describes our recent football hires.

 

[TensasCy]

Hoping that the next staff realizes this and builds the team around mauling line play.

Big burly corn-fed guys that eat hogs raw and only bathe once a week. We can get those type guys.

 

[aeroclone]

Are you guys deluding yourselves???? Utah has won like 25 conference championships....have been in BCS Championship series bowl games, where do you think Urban Meyer came from????

Are you familiar with what P5 means? They have only been in the Pac 12 for a couple years. All of that past success was in a mid major conference. Better than nothing, but it is hard to gain much nationally winning at that level. To the casual fan, mid majors today are Boise and then who the hell cares.

And Urban's success there is just another example of how the right coach can win anywhere. Utah was the original BCS buster under him.

 

[CyFan61]

Are you guys deluding yourselves???? Utah has won like 25 conference championships....have been in BCS Championship series bowl games, where do you think Urban Meyer came from????

This is Utah's 5th season as a major conference program. Paul Rhoads has been a head coach for longer than Utah has been at the BCS/Power Five level. Some of their older players were being recruited to play for a Mountain West program. I think it's safe to remark on their lack of major tradition