One third through the season

[beentherebefore]

I think if this team keeps gaining confidence, winning more often "in the margins," and maybe experiencing a bit more luck, seven wins could happen. A good showing against OU may really start things moving. I still think 4 wins is the floor and 6 is not asking for too much.

 

[CyPack]

They should have legitimate shots to beat TCU and KU at home, that would get us to 4 wins. Then if they can find 2 more between Cincy, BYU and Baylor we're going bowling at least. They're not world beaters but those 3 are on the road so will be tough. Now stranger things have happened and with the youth on this team I do see them progressing and improving as the season goes along. IF Campbell will allow the offense to progress with what works and does best then maybe there's an upset somewhere along the line. Its happened in the past under Campbell so there's at least a precedent.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

They should have legitimate shots to beat TCU and KU at home, that would get us to 4 wins. Then if they can find 2 more between Cincy, BYU and Baylor we're going bowling at least. They're not world beaters but those 3 are on the road so will be tough. Now stranger things have happened and with the youth on this team I do see them progressing and improving as the season goes along. IF Campbell will allow the offense to progress with what works and does best then maybe there's an upset somewhere along the line. Its happened in the past under Campbell so there's at least a precedent.

If Iowa State improves each week there is even a chance, we might be able to get Texas at home. While Texas is much improved compared to previous years, the last time we played Texas in November we blew them out. I think if there is a chance that ISU is sitting at 5 wins I could see them pulling an upset in single digit weather on senior night.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

If Iowa State improves each week there is even a chance, we might be able to get Texas at home. While Texas is much improved compared to previous years, the last time we played Texas in November we blew them out. I think if there is a chance that ISU is sitting at 5 wins I could see them pulling an upset in single digit weather on senior night.

Texas will be Charmin soft in Trice if it's below 50 degrees out.

 

[bozclone]

This team is so young, I just want to see improvement week to week. If our defense can play really well this week, we can hang in the game with OU. It would be a success to have a chance to win late.

 

[Jeremy]

Texas will be Charmin soft in Trice if it's below 50 degrees out.

I'm not sure they're what would normally be a top 3 team, but this year CFB as a whole is down. I've said for a couple years now that I think Sark is changing the culture there one recruiting class at a time and instilling more fundamental football that raises their floor and ceiling.

They have either the strongest or second strongest defense we'll face all year. Their ceiling really comes down to how consistent Ewers can be. One game he can look like a Top 5 pick, others like an undrafted shoe salesman.

It's a running joke about "if Texas is back" so I think people discount to some degree the actual progress they've been making.

Now let me go throw up.

 

[Uncle Paul]

You guys should feel bad you drove the starting safety for OSU to get another DUI.

News Story and Bodycam footage

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

You guys should feel bad you drove the starting safety for OSU to get another DUI.

News Story and Bodycam footage

I don't.

 

[nrg4isu]

You guys should feel bad you drove the starting safety for OSU to get another DUI.

News Story and Bodycam footage

Yeah, not at all. From the sounds of if, he needs to learn to not drink and drive. Probably not drive at all, for a long time at least. He also needs to learn that playing football doesn't mean you're above the law.

 

[nrg4isu]

Wow, how much has changed since game 4. It's now game 8. Let's revisit. (See post #1 for where these came from)

Rocco is BP2 and/or Kohl is a decision-maker prodigy as a freshman
- Check! Rocco is that decision-maker BP2 type

Norton is a bulldozer we hoped for
- Well, not Norton, but the RB room has been ok to good

The Oline looks a lot better - Miller is a bookend, violence is seen in the run game
- Wow, what a turnaround. First 4 games did not look good to my eyes. Second 4 games, MUCH improved. I'm not ready yet to say they're good/great, but they're a huge step up from what they were in the first 4 games.

WR's share the load keeping defenses on their toes - Gains, Bitter, Essex make big steps forward.
- None of the young guys have stepped up, but Noel, Jackson and Higgins have stepped up. This needs to continue.

TE's are the second coming of Kohler, Soehner and Allen. Dean looks like the most talented TE ever.
- I'm not going to say they're exactly Kohler, Soehner and Allen, but Brahmer, Dean, Moore and Klotz are doing a pretty good job.

Coach Nate Scheelhaase is the real deal and makes the offense run like a well oiled machine
- Check! This is the most refreshing part of the team this year. CNS looks like a star in the making

Defense is just as good as last year
- Not quite as good as last year, but still good

Ezeogu, Onydeim and transfer all make a step forward
- Check! All 3 have stepped up, I'd like to see continued growth

A surprise improvement from the young LB's
- Check! Bacon and Mclaughlin are those guys.

DB's are everything they're hyped to be
- Check! Tampa was a stud last game, Purchase has been good.

Special Teams coach turns a weakness into mediocrity
- Check! maybe even down right good

Kickoffs can actually reach the endzone regularly
- Check!

PK turns redzone trips into points
- Check!

We get positive yards on punt returns
- Check!

 

[SolterraCyclone]

That Ohio loss really hurt for bowl eligibility. I think we could steal 3 more wins. 4 is a stretch.

We’ll have to sweep @Cincy, @Baylor, and @BYU (which will be really hard) and then swipe one of TCU or KU at home. I don’t give us anymore than a miracle’s chance against OU, Texas, or @KSU.

I should have been more confident in my outlook!

 

[nrg4isu]

Preseason hopes (not bold)
Postseason analysis (bolded)

Rocco is BP2 and/or Kohl is a decision-maker prodigy as a freshman
- Rocco stepped up in a big way. He deserves a ton of credit

Norton is a bulldozer we hoped for
- Norton wasn't that guy, but between the 4 RBs that saw significant time, they got the job done. Obviously Sama and Hanson will be the guys going forward and that's not a bad thing. I do worry about Samas ability to stay healthy.

The Oline looks a lot better - Miller is a bookend, violence is seen in the run game
- This took a while, but the season-long trend is very positive. The blocking schemes have changed for the better. We held up against everyone in the second half of the season except Texas.

WR's share the load keeping defenses on their toes - Gains, Bitter, Essex make big steps forward.
- Higgens, Noel and Brahmer became a consistently good set of targets. I'd still wish for that 3rd WR to show up. Jackson and Stanley both had some good spots, but nothing consistent there.


TE's are the second coming of Kohler, Soehner and Allen. Dean looks like the most talented TE ever.
- Brahmer showed up big time. Dean and Klotz played well. Wasn't quite up to the Kohler, Soehner and Allen group, but that's a high bar.

Coach Nate Scheelhaase is the real deal and makes the offense run like a well oiled machine
- What a success Nate has been. I really feel like the training wheels came off after the Ohio game. I think overall he and CMC want to play a slower grind-type game, but Nate has shown that he has the ability to be creative and produce big plays.

Defense is just as good as last year
- I'd say we fell a little short of being a great defense overall. Injury and youth definitely played a big part in that.

Ezeogu, Onydeim and transfer all make a step forward
- They did. I'm excited for these two guy's future

A surprise improvement from the young LB's
- Bacon was that guy. Overall the LBs lack some speed. They're young and good enough though.

DB's are everything they're hyped to be
- For the most part this was true. Tampa is a stud and will be missed. Purchase had a rough first half of the season, but really picked it up in the second half. Porter was solid, Williams will be good but had some rough spots.

Special Teams coach turns a weakness into mediocrity
- holy hell, yes. Our worst special teams games were about as good as our best games over the past few seasons. Some games it was a big advantage.

Kickoffs can actually reach the endzone regularly
- that happened until the last few games which was weird.

PK turns redzone trips into points
- Hell yes, this was huge in B12 play

We get positive yards on punt returns
- much much better than previous years

 

[iastatefan1]

Preseason hopes (not bold)
Postseason analysis (bolded)

Rocco is BP2 and/or Kohl is a decision-maker prodigy as a freshman
- Rocco stepped up in a big way. He deserves a ton of credit

Norton is a bulldozer we hoped for
- Norton wasn't that guy, but between the 4 RBs that saw significant time, they got the job done. Obviously Sama and Hanson will be the guys going forward and that's not a bad thing. I do worry about Samas ability to stay healthy.

The Oline looks a lot better - Miller is a bookend, violence is seen in the run game
- This took a while, but the season-long trend is very positive. The blocking schemes have changed for the better. We held up against everyone in the second half of the season except Texas.

WR's share the load keeping defenses on their toes - Gains, Bitter, Essex make big steps forward.
- Higgens, Noel and Brahmer became a consistently good set of targets. I'd still wish for that 3rd WR to show up. Jackson and Stanley both had some good spots, but nothing consistent there.


TE's are the second coming of Kohler, Soehner and Allen. Dean looks like the most talented TE ever.
- Brahmer showed up big time. Dean and Klotz played well. Wasn't quite up to the Kohler, Soehner and Allen group, but that's a high bar.

Coach Nate Scheelhaase is the real deal and makes the offense run like a well oiled machine
- What a success Nate has been. I really feel like the training wheels came off after the Ohio game. I think overall he and CMC want to play a slower grind-type game, but Nate has shown that he has the ability to be creative and produce big plays.

Defense is just as good as last year
- I'd say we fell a little short of being a great defense overall. Injury and youth definitely played a big part in that.

Ezeogu, Onydeim and transfer all make a step forward
- They did. I'm excited for these two guy's future

A surprise improvement from the young LB's
- Bacon was that guy. Overall the LBs lack some speed. They're young and good enough though.

DB's are everything they're hyped to be
- For the most part this was true. Tampa is a stud and will be missed. Purchase had a rough first half of the season, but really picked it up in the second half. Porter was solid, Williams will be good but had some rough spots.

Special Teams coach turns a weakness into mediocrity
- holy hell, yes. Our worst special teams games were about as good as our best games over the past few seasons. Some games it was a big advantage.

Kickoffs can actually reach the endzone regularly
- that happened until the last few games which was weird.

PK turns redzone trips into points
- Hell yes, this was huge in B12 play

We get positive yards on punt returns
- much much better than previous years

I think the line made big steps sans Texas who were just studs inside. LBs were poor, but showed improvement. One concern from this year was dB depth. When one of Verdon or Cooper went down we dropped off Freyler played a ton so glad we didnt deal with too many injuries. Nickel and surges are good walk on, but had some limitations that showed. Wrs Noel and Higgins can do some good things, hope they take another step. Really like brahmer and klutz. The improvement over the year was good to see. It just seems like every fall we start so slow , it would be nice to maintain some of the gains. Great year, go cyclones.

 

[BCClone]

I think the line made big steps sans Texas who were just studs inside. LBs were poor, but showed improvement. One concern from this year was dB depth. When one of Verdon or Cooper went down we dropped off Freyler played a ton so glad we didnt deal with too many injuries. Nickel and surges are good walk on, but had some limitations that showed. Wrs Noel and Higgins can do some good things, hope they take another step. Really like brahmer and klutz. The improvement over the year was good to see. It just seems like every fall we start so slow , it would be nice to maintain some of the gains. Great year, go cyclones.

Many of the fill in DBacks were true freshmen I believe. You could tell they didn't know the defense very well (I know nikkel is not a freshman, but that is probably why he didnt' have a scholly before this year) and missed their assignments and reads. The bowl and spring will be huge for these guys. I think the physical tools are there, just not the knowledge yet.

Now LB? Most don't have the same excuse, we need outside backers bad. We are trying to play rush end backers as outside backers and it opened us up on the outside. We moved a couple of the quicker ones inside and basically just tried to get them to fly up inside, which was better but still not a desired situation.