Iowa: Game Thoughts

[BCClone]

I like Rocco. I don't think he's the problem, not at all.

But I would start JJ for one simple reason... and not because he might leave...

he's the first QB since, IDK, a long time, who probably has the arm to consistently push the ball down field. That opens up a play book, opens up the running game and he's not a stiff so he can also move. He'll make young player mistakes but he brings something we don't have and haven't had.

Throwing deep isn't just about having receivers who can run. Obviously that's part of it. But just as important is having a QB who can consistently get the ball down field with pace. And its not like Rocco's a super experienced veteran. Whoever is at QB is going to make young mistakes.

So for me, I'd roll the dice on the higher ceiling kid. Who I think is JJ.

Rocco isn't the problem, not at all. He's not playing badly. I also don't know if he's the solution. I don't know that JJ is either but IMO his physical traits give him a slight edge



I'd also give Gaines time at receiver, just to see what we have. I'd throw to Bitter more because he seems reliable and reminds me a little of Akers. And I'd roll with Sama, Norton and maybe even Hansen at RB / KOR etc.

Basically I'd dub this the year of the freshie on offense at skill position

You start JJ now and you could also create issues next year. Start him and Rocco leaves. Which means you have a sophomore and basically a true freshman behind him. Where we are now. Redshirt JJ and if he wins the competition, start him next year. You then have JJ with an experienced back up (we almost never go the whole season with one QB or hold down the QB runs to avoid injury) and a freshman to learn before being thrown in

 

[NoCreativity]

Negative: I love Cartevious Norton as the hammer back and the short yardage back. But he has no business running out routes, he doesn't have the speed or bend to do this. IF we are going to complement a RB in the pass game, make that Abu Sama please.

This is what really got to me yesterday. If you are going to line someone up in the slot to run an out route, why not run it with an actual slot receiver and not our bruiser running back? We have about 10 receivers on the bench who I assume have been taught that route back in pee-wee football.

Or at the very least let Sama run it if you insist on having that personnel in. This offensive coaching staff is completely lost.

 

[Stormin]

IMO this game was all about defense. And the officials allowing lots of contact by Iowa defensive players on the Cyclone receivers. Lots of PI not called. Cooper Dejean is a great player. Allow him to play without real fear of a flag and he is even better. Rocco made a bad mistake. Missed FG. Dropped passes. Like it or not, ISU’s style of play is going to be like K-State and Iowa. We actually could have won that game yesterday if a play had been made. We are young. And OL Coach is trying to get things straightened out. We miss Remsburg.

 

[stewart092284]

You start JJ now and you could also create issues next year. Start him and Rocco leaves. Which means you have a sophomore and basically a true freshman behind him. Where we are now. Redshirt JJ and if he wins the competition, start him next year. You then have JJ with an experienced back up (we almost never go the whole season with one QB or hold down the QB runs to avoid injury) and a freshman to learn before being thrown in

I think you have that problem regardless.

You start Rocco, JJ leaves - I just don't see a kid who had those offers being happy sitting behind a player he's at most one year behind in playing time.

So while I don't disagree with you, I don't think there's a scenario they are both here next year. One of them is likely leaving in the current state of transfers and the portal.

And I've seen this movie before. Last year. And how hard and painful it is to a bowl game when its dink and dunk and dink and dunk and dink and dunk. Everything else has to be perfect. Which isn't going to happen with 18-22 year olds. Its just not.

So that's why I go JJ... because they're both freshman. They're both inexperienced. And he might be more prone to making mistakes, but being honest, I also think he's more capable of making big plays. And that's what has stood out to me offensively from the first two weeks. And even last year.


Everything we do is so freaking hard. Even when we drive and score, its 5, 6, 4, 8, 10, 2,3,5,4,7,8,4,6 , TD. That is incredibly hard to duplicate over the course of a game let alone a season.

 

[stewart092284]

IMO this game was all about defense. And the officials allowing lots of contact by Iowa defensive players on the Cyclone receivers. Lots of PI not called. Cooper Dejean is a great player. Allow him to play without real fear of a flag and he is even better. Rocco made a bad mistake. Missed FG. Dropped passes. Like it or not, ISU’s style of play is going to be like K-State and Iowa. We actually could have won that game yesterday if a play had been made. We are young. And OL Coach is trying to get things straightened out. We miss Remsburg.

We ain't K- State. We're Iowa. Don't bring K-State into this. K-State wants to be physical and control the ball but they are way more creative on offense then we are or Iowa is. How they used Deuce Vaughn? When was the last time Iowa State had a guy line up all over the place and use him like that?

So I would very happily play like Kansas State.


We play like Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin under Bielma.


And yeah, we're young but we're going to be young. We were young last year. We're going to be young up front next year. So its a valid excuse but then what, we have to 2025-2026 to have a good defense? I don't accept that. Other teams are young. Other teams have inexperienced QB's and OL's. They don't look like this.

I'm not talking the Georgia's or Alabama's or Texas's of the world either.

 

[BCClone]

I think you have that problem regardless.

You start Rocco, JJ leaves - I just don't see a kid who had those offers being happy sitting behind a player he's at most one year behind in playing time.

So while I don't disagree with you, I don't think there's a scenario they are both here next year. One of them is likely leaving in the current state of transfers and the portal.

And I've seen this movie before. Last year. And how hard and painful it is to a bowl game when its dink and dunk and dink and dunk and dink and dunk. Everything else has to be perfect. Which isn't going to happen with 18-22 year olds. Its just not.

So that's why I go JJ... because they're both freshman. They're both inexperienced. And he might be more prone to making mistakes, but being honest, I also think he's more capable of making big plays. And that's what has stood out to me offensively from the first two weeks. And even last year.


Everything we do is so freaking hard. Even when we drive and score, its 5, 6, 4, 8, 10, 2,3,5,4,7,8,4,6 , TD. That is incredibly hard to duplicate over the course of a game let alone a season.

I think JJ is here if he is told there is comp for the spot and he just redshirted this year.

 

[stewart092284]

I think JJ is here if he is told there is comp for the spot and he just redshirted this year.

I don't. Because what changes?

That makes zero sense. You tell kid, well, you're not ready so redshirt, but you're not ready compared to a kid whose never started a game, but until that other kid has started 12 games, while you start zero and play zero meaningful football for an entire year, and then you'll beat out an experienced, proven quarterback whose developed a relationship with the team - if this was JJ coming in when Brock was a junior or even Dekkers was still playing - then I think that holds water. But not when you're the same class playing time wise and he's almost as inexperienced as you are.

when you didn't beat him out when you basically starting at the same point as him? Now you tell him he has a better chance of beating him out when Rocco has a full year starting and JJ's running the scout team?


That logic makes zero sense. I'm sure that is what the staff will tell him. I don't doubt that. But if I'm the kid, I'm calling BS because there is ZERO logic in believing that.. If I didn't get an opportunity when I started running the race even, why would I believe you that I have a chance after the other guy has a 12 game head start?

That makes zero sense from the kid's POV. From the program's POV, it makes all the sense in the world. but from a player's ? It makes zero. Because allegedly there was competition this year... and you went other guy who was also inexperienced and never started a game.

And I think Rocco will better next year from having played a season against a real defense. Where JJ still won't have. So I don't think that argument is going to make sense to kids in todays world. I just don't. And I understand why.

 

[BCClone]

I don't. Because what changes?

That makes zero sense. You tell kid, well, you're not ready so redshirt, but you're not ready compared to a kid whose never started a game, but until that other kid has started 12 games, while you start zero and play zero meaningful football for an entire year, and then you'll beat out an experienced, proven quarterback whose developed a relationship with the team - if this was JJ coming in when Brock was a junior or even Dekkers was still playing - then I think that holds water. But not when you're the same class playing time wise and he's almost as inexperienced as you are.

when you didn't beat him out when you basically starting at the same point as him? Now you tell him he has a better chance of beating him out when Rocco has a full year starting and JJ's running the scout team?


That logic makes zero sense. I'm sure that is what the staff will tell him. I don't doubt that. But if I'm the kid, I'm calling BS because there is ZERO logic in believing that.. If I didn't get an opportunity when I started running the race even, why would I believe you that I have a chance after the other guy has a 12 game head start?

That makes zero sense from the kid's POV. From the program's POV, it makes all the sense in the world. but from a player's ? It makes zero. Because allegedly there was competition this year... and you went other guy who was also inexperienced and never started a game.

And I think Rocco will better next year from having played a season against a real defense. Where JJ still won't have. So I don't think that argument is going to make sense to kids in todays world. I just don't. And I understand why.

You think JJ signed believing he was the starter this year? Nope. You tell him you are keeping the redshirt and you can earn the starting role next year.

 

[stewart092284]

You think JJ signed believing he was the starter this year? Nope. You tell him you are keeping the redshirt and you can earn the starting role next year.

I 100% think JJ signed thinking he had a chance to start. Did he sign thinking he was guaranteed? No.

But i also don't think a kid with many power conference offers and the only reason we have a top 45 class is going to be happy sitting next to another freshman, who you're probably physically more talented then, watching the offense probably struggle all year long.

If you are a high level competitor, that is not going to sit well with you.

I don't think we go to a bowl game with Rocco. I don't know that we do with JJ. BUT - he gives us something Rocco doesn't in terms of an opportunity to throw the ball down field.

But Rocco is limited arm strength wise. We saw it on the throw to Higgins where he threw it low, threw it inside and gave the DB a chance. We saw it on the pick six because that's a long throw, and unless you have a strong arm, that's a very dangerous throw. Even with a strong arm thats a risky throw. When you don't have a strong arm, the dangerous increases exponentially.


Brock didn't have the strongest arm. But we had Montgomery, and we had Breece Hall. We had Kolar, Allen, X, etc. We had dudes that made plays for Brock.

So its nots Rocco's fault. But when you are a QB with average to adequate arm strength, and your team lacks dudes to help you, the offense is going to be incredibly limited. And we are.


And I don't think its fair to tell the defense , if you give up 17 points, we may not win. Or to tell the kicker, you miss 1-2 FG's, we may not win.


Rocco has a much higher floor than JJ. JJ has the higher ceiling. And when you have a low ceiling potential on offense...where's the improvement coming from? You increase the chance of drops, penalties, turnovers, when you have to have an 6-10 play drive every single time. That's why we're good on defense. That's why Iowa's good on defense. That's literally what every defense in the history of football wants. Give up the underneath stuff, rally to the ball and wait for a mistake.

What have we seen vs Iowa and even UNI? Allow the underneath stuff, rally, tackle, and make you do it 8 more times.




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and again, if I'm a kid, not just JJ. But if I'm a young kid - outside of linemen - if I am a young, skill position on offense, watching this offense look as painful as a wisdom tooth removal without pain medicine... and I never get a chance -

why should I believe I will next year? If the kid ahead of is back. Because if I do, that kid probably leaves and that's fair. And if I don't, I leave. Its college athletics today. If we were good on offense, then its easy to sell a redshirt.

But when we're not... and everyone can see that - I t hink its A LOT harder selling a redshirt when you can look out and believe, I'm better that guy.

 

[joefrog]

Come home Coach Chizek.

Amazing takes these are…

Are you honestly saying you want many more years of this?

At what point will you admit reality and that the Campbell moment has passed?

Do you enjoy watching CampbellBall? Or how stubborn he and his staff are?

 

[isutrevman]

Stop throwing it short to Noel. He has zero lateral movement. Only passes going his way should be vertical.

Norton is okay, but lacks vision. Sama should be starting. Best player on offense so far.

Higgins and Brahmer should be the focus of the passing game.

Was not encouraged by what I saw from Becht today. If we are going to throw the season away as a “learning year” as Campbell seems to be planning, mind as well throw Kohl into the fire and see if you have anything there.

They clearly don't trust Becht with anything other than simple "safe" throws. The seem to trust Kohl even less than that. I don't get the notion of "let's throw Kohl into the fire". What do you think they're doing with Becht? They're both young. Fans only have Kohl tabbed as "the future" because he had a higher recruiting ranking. Once they're on campus, that is irrelevant. There's nothing to suggest Kohl is "the future" any more than Becht is.

 

[isutrevman]

I 100% think JJ signed thinking he had a chance to start. Did he sign thinking he was guaranteed? No.

But i also don't think a kid with many power conference offers and the only reason we have a top 45 class is going to be happy sitting next to another freshman, who you're probably physically more talented then, watching the offense probably struggle all year long.

If you are a high level competitor, that is not going to sit well with you.

I don't think we go to a bowl game with Rocco. I don't know that we do with JJ. BUT - he gives us something Rocco doesn't in terms of an opportunity to throw the ball down field.

But Rocco is limited arm strength wise. We saw it on the throw to Higgins where he threw it low, threw it inside and gave the DB a chance. We saw it on the pick six because that's a long throw, and unless you have a strong arm, that's a very dangerous throw. Even with a strong arm thats a risky throw. When you don't have a strong arm, the dangerous increases exponentially.


Brock didn't have the strongest arm. But we had Montgomery, and we had Breece Hall. We had Kolar, Allen, X, etc. We had dudes that made plays for Brock.

So its nots Rocco's fault. But when you are a QB with average to adequate arm strength, and your team lacks dudes to help you, the offense is going to be incredibly limited. And we are.


And I don't think its fair to tell the defense , if you give up 17 points, we may not win. Or to tell the kicker, you miss 1-2 FG's, we may not win.


Rocco has a much higher floor than JJ. JJ has the higher ceiling. And when you have a low ceiling potential on offense...where's the improvement coming from? You increase the chance of drops, penalties, turnovers, when you have to have an 6-10 play drive every single time. That's why we're good on defense. That's why Iowa's good on defense. That's literally what every defense in the history of football wants. Give up the underneath stuff, rally to the ball and wait for a mistake.

What have we seen vs Iowa and even UNI? Allow the underneath stuff, rally, tackle, and make you do it 8 more times.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------

and again, if I'm a kid, not just JJ. But if I'm a young kid - outside of linemen - if I am a young, skill position on offense, watching this offense look as painful as a wisdom tooth removal without pain medicine... and I never get a chance -

why should I believe I will next year? If the kid ahead of is back. Because if I do, that kid probably leaves and that's fair. And if I don't, I leave. Its college athletics today. If we were good on offense, then its easy to sell a redshirt.

But when we're not... and everyone can see that - I t hink its A LOT harder selling a redshirt when you can look out and believe, I'm better that guy.

Kohl signed when Dekkers was still here, with another 2 years left. There's no reason he would have thought he'd be the starter right away.

 

[Kinch]

If I was an Iowa fan I would ask how much was McNamara paid to come to Iowa? First play, he totally misses a wide open receiver who got went unguarded down the middle of the field. Okay, quarterbacks sometimes miss wide open receivers. But late in the game, he overshot another wide open receiver on a drive that would have put the game away and kept Iowa State in it. Rocco, making his first power 5 start, I felt, got a better as the game wore on. McNamara is a step up from a bad quarterback, but at one time he was 2-11 on third down plays. The only thing that will save him is their weak schedule.

 

[stewart092284]

They clearly don't trust Becht with anything other than simple "safe" throws. The seem to trust Kohl even less than that. I don't get the notion of "let's throw Kohl into the fire". What do you think they're doing with Becht? They're both young. Fans only have Kohl tabbed as "the future" because he had a higher recruiting ranking. Once they're on campus, that is irrelevant. There's nothing to suggest Kohl is "the future" any more than Becht is.

Agree and disagree. I don't think its not that they don't trust Rocco. I don't think Rocco has the arm strength to do much more. On the longer throws he's made so far, they've been late or off target.

JJ's shown to be a more willing runner - that could help move the changes. Did he come off his read too fast? yes. But I'd rather gain 5 than 0. That might move the chains.

And he has the arm talent to throw it deeper, which makes the safeties drop out of the box and makes it easier to run the ball.

 

[stewart092284]

Kohl signed when Dekkers was still here, with another 2 years left. There's no reason he would have thought he'd be the starter right away.

Ummm... did you watch Dekkers play last year? If you believe in yourself, and I'm sure JJ does... what exactly did you see from Dekkers to make you think he was a rock solid starter this year?

 

[Kinch]

Another comment from an Iowa prospective. Here’s something that would give me pause about their “vaunted defense”. For the second year in a row, a quarterback making his first start against a power 5 team executes a late game drive and scores a touchdown. One to win it, the other puts it in a position to win.

 

[isutrevman]

Agree and disagree. I don't think its not that they don't trust Rocco. I don't think Rocco has the arm strength to do much more. On the longer throws he's made so far, they've been late or off target.

JJ's shown to be a more willing runner - that could help move the changes. Did he come off his read too fast? yes. But I'd rather gain 5 than 0. That might move the chains.

And he has the arm talent to throw it deeper, which makes the safeties drop out of the box and makes it easier to run the ball.

Rocco's arm strength is fine. We've thrown down field 4 times this year. One was a completion to Brahmer for the TD against UNI. Perfect throw. Then he overthrew Noel twice against UNI and overthrew Brahmer once against Iowa on a go route. Arm strength appears to at least match what Purdy had.

 

[stewart092284]

Another comment from an Iowa prospective. Here’s something that would give me pause about their “vaunted defense”. For the second year in a row, a quarterback making his first start against a power 5 team executes a late game drive and scores a touchdown. One to win it, the other puts it in a position to win.

Can't compare the two.

Last year's drive - yes.
Yesterday's , yes, good to see, but it was against the - zero big play, vanilla almost prevent not prevent defense.

When we had to have a drive to tie the game - not so much. Iowa started playing - we've won, just don't give up the big play - at 20-3.

 

[isutrevman]

Ummm... did you watch Dekkers play last year? If you believe in yourself, and I'm sure JJ does... what exactly did you see from Dekkers to make you think he was a rock solid starter this year?

Kohl can't beat out Becht, who couldn't beat out Dekkers, so...... Dekkers last year was better than what either Becht or Kohl have shown so far.

 

[stewart092284]

Rocco's arm strength is fine. We've thrown down field 4 times this year. One was a completion to Brahmer for the TD against UNI. Perfect throw. Then he overthrew Noel twice against UNI and overthrew Brahmer once against Iowa on a go route. Arm strength appears to at least match what Purdy had.

So, you just proved my point.

He's 1 for 4 on deep passes. that's not just fine. Arm strength and talent isn't just being able to throw it deep. its about throwing it deep on time, in rythm and accurate.

And I literally mentioned how we were good with Brock. We had dudes on that team that helped. Breece was a walking home run threat.