I know I will get rheemed by everyone for this but does it seem like Chizik is intentionally using the underclassmen more as the season goes on??? I thought two of our best players on defense coming into this year were Singleton and Bell, yet neither has gotten much playing time. The two freshman are playing ahead of them. Also, I know Bibbs was/is hurt and now Bell is getting the start over him. On offense Brandon Johnson is getting no reps at center even though he started every game last year. Ruempolhammer is seeing quality minutes ahead of Weir and Tate. Carter Bykowski even got the start against aTm when i hadn't even seen him play before that. I understand that he will want to get those guys more reps as the season goes on, but they are getting a good chunk of the playing time. I think it is a good thing, so long as you don't lose the leaders that are seniors. And maybe the younger guys are just better, I don't know---What does everyone else think???
Playing the underclassmen
- Thread starter arganbright2
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I think you answered your own question. He's said multiple times he wants the best 11 on the field he can put out there.
It's also getting to the point in the season where you have to start thinking about next year and developing players. Not that he's not trying to win everygame but as a head coach you have to think about the future too.
I think in general he is playing the best guys, but there are a couple very noticeable head scratchers.
Think it's definitely a combination of getting the future players game experience, and at the same time they happen to just be better than the current players.
I wouldn't care if he played all freshmen and sophomores now, as long as we don't pull any redshirts. We have to get these guys some experience now that there's not much hope for this year.
I wondered the same thing a few times... How can a 6'4" corner who played every game last year hardly see the field this year? They're not THAT much better... (evidence is us getting burned often this year) I also wondered about the Brandon Johnson deal... weird... I do think he is playing some because they are better, but I think you're on to something in a few instances.
I don't like putting things all on one guy but that pass defense that lost us the game at UNLV was terrible. Just awful.
I always feel Chizik has winning in mind with the best 11 he can field. However at this point if an upperclassmen is only marginally better than a freshman/soph, then give the kids some reps.
Id love to see the clones get another win or 2 this year, but this season is pretty much lost at this point, so lets at least look a little into moving forward
Id love to see the clones get another win or 2 this year, but this season is pretty much lost at this point, so lets at least look a little into moving forward
I think that GC is on the rite track...play the freshmen as much as possible and get ready for next year and the future years & forget this season as of: 11/23/08!!!!!:yes:
Boys the future is not here yet ... But it soon will be here!!!:yes:
"the future looks bright for Iowa State"...quote Gene Chizik
I believe ya Gene...Go Cyclones ..Take out the Cowboys come saturday1
Boys the future is not here yet ... But it soon will be here!!!:yes:
"the future looks bright for Iowa State"...quote Gene Chizik
I believe ya Gene...Go Cyclones ..Take out the Cowboys come saturday1
I guess I don't mind having freshman and sophomores on the field its just that I would be upset if I were an outgoing senior who wasn't playing because the younger guys need to get some reps. If they are better, that is one thing, but I think you burn alot of bridges if you bench the guys who have been in the program 4-5 years because of the potential for next year.
my two major objections are alan bell and hamilton. both would be helping the team.
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You are correct and it is not by accident...Gene is looking to the future and reps is the name of the game with the young kids that have the upside. This is not a big surprise inside the locker room. It's business.:sad:
Go state!
Z
I would also imagine that as the younger guys are getting more expereince they are getting better and better. No suprise a high upside Freshman would be taking more snaps from a junior or senior that may have plateud.
The two shocking things to me are the lack of playing time Bell and McDowell have received at corner and the amount Singleton has been getting.
Singleton has just been bad, bad, bad. I get that McDowell still has two years left and Bell another year, but you'd think they would be playing more regardless.
Singleton has just been bad, bad, bad. I get that McDowell still has two years left and Bell another year, but you'd think they would be playing more regardless.