What is the Biggest 2008 X-Factor?

[kurecabinboy]

If you had to pick one X-Factor on the team that may mean the difference between bowling and staying in Ames in December, what would it be? In my mind, ISU has some strength at RB, WR, and CB, with signs of optimism on the OL and DB. The team has some other obvious holes that have been discussed here throughout the summer, but as we reach the beginning of the season, which of these holes must be filled to give us a warm destination in late December?

 

[Rogue52]

18 year old kickers...

 

[kurecabinboy]

IMO, we need to see the emergence of a stud at DT. The loss of Rubin is literally and figuratively a huge loss for the defense and leaves our interior defensive line without a player other teams must double-team to move the ball on the ground. If ISU has a DT capable of putting pressure on the QB in the passing game and stuffing the running game between the tackles, it will take pressure off of another team weakness at LB and allow the LBs to roam more freely. With our strength at CB and some very capable kids at DB, and Taylor at DE, the emergence of a stud DT could mean the difference between bowling and staying at home in December.

 

[MontyBurns]

I agree with finding a kicker. And staying injury-free at the thin positions.

 

[joefrog]

IMO, we need to see the emergence of a stud at DT. The loss of Rubin is literally and figuratively a huge loss for the defense and leaves our interior defensive line without a player other teams must double-team to move the ball on the ground. If ISU has a DT capable of putting pressure on the QB in the passing game and stuffing the running game between the tackles, it will take pressure off of another team weakness at LB and allow the LBs to roam more freely. With our strength at CB and some very capable kids at DB, and Taylor at DE, the emergence of a stud DT could mean the difference between bowling and staying at home in December.

I agree totally. My first thought was DT and being able to stop the run. Watching Rubin last year, towards the end the guy was playing at a near all conference level. His presence really made a big difference.

 

[kurecabinboy]

I agree totally. My first thought was DT and being able to stop the run. Watching Rubin last year, towards the end the guy was playing at a near all conference level. His presence really made a big difference.

No doubt! That guy was the only reason ISU was able to stuff K-State at the goal line last year on fourth down and it saved the game for us.

 

[cstrunk]

The X-Factor will be how well Arnaud/Bates perform in game situations and lead the team. If they are true leaders, they can bring in a few more W's for the team.

 

[Melvin]

X-Factor for ISU:

Coaching, that is the difference between 4 wins and 7 wins.

 

[CyCloned]

the X factor is how well the OL plays. If the OL can come out and create a running game, that will lessen the burden on the QB position and shorten the game so the defense does not have to play as many downs and can play more aggressively.

 

[hoosman]

Turnover margin. We were used as an example by Phil Steele. When our turnover margin improves, our record improves almost every time.

 

[candg4ever]

We need to run the ball effectively while keeping the other teams from running on us to control the clock.

 

[ajk4st8]

18 year old kickers...

and deepsnapper.

 

[clonedude]

Boy... that's a good question?

The first thing that came to my mind was DL. We need to be able to stop the run and rush the passer with our front four. If we can do that... I think we could be very good.

However, then I started thinking about the offense. For some reason we are always so optimistic about our offense every single year. All you hear about is how dangerous we are all summer long... and then the season starts and our offense struggles. Although we all saw some improvements last season on the OL, our offense was awful... worst in the Big 12 I believe?

All this makes me wonder if our QB... be it Arnaud or Bates... is the key factor? I loved Bret Meyer, and I think he gave it his all for ISU each and every play, but just look at his stats last year.... nearly dead last in the conference in every category. 9 TDs and 13 INTs won't cut it. Meyer also had 5.6 yds per pass attempt. In Arnaud's limited time last year, he had 7.2 yds per pass attempt. So I hope Arnaud/Bates can stretch the field better. It's difficult to run the ball effectively when you only throw short slants on every play. The opposing DBs didn't have to play back and worry about us going deep on them.

Then of course, you have the kickers. I don't necessarily believe you have to have a good FG kicker to have a succesful season because if you are REALLY good you will just score TDs instead of having to settle for FGs. However, as usual, it will be big for us. But I don't think this is an area we could be worse in? I think our young kickers will do just about the equivalent of Shaggy this year, but will steadily get better than that as time goes on.... let's hope!

 

[cycloneML]

Kickers? If our biggest x factors are kickers, we will be in good shape.

 

[Aclone]

Positive turnover margin.

 

[Benny34]

Positive turnover margin.

What he said. Heck I would settle for a non-negative turnover margin :wink:

 

[CyCloned]

I loved Bret Meyer, and I think he gave it his all for ISU each and every play, but just look at his stats last year.... nearly dead last in the conference in every category. 9 TDs and 13 INTs won't cut it. Meyer also had 5.6 yds per pass attempt.

One thing that I hated about Meyer was the pick-6s that he threw. Over his career at ISU he had to lead the nation in TOs returned for TD and TOs in the red zone. The defense ended up a respectable sixth in the big 12 and the team ended up dead last in giving up points. TOs are the main factor for the difference here. Just cleaning some of that up would make ISU a better team.

 

[jakemcilroy]

Sounds silly, but touchdowns in the red zone instead of turnovers. Normally you'd say TD's instead of FG's but with how last year went...

I really think our turnovers after quality drives inside the 30 yard line early last year were the biggest plays of the season.

 

[anticyclonic]

I am not sure about x-factor but yes a or two great DT's (starter and reserve) would be a key.

If our team can generate an average of at least 350 yds of balanced steady offense and 26-29 pts per game, and if the defense can keep opposing teams in the respective lower halves: 20s pts for scoring and 300s for total yards we should be in great shape.

Minus a couple of really good teams: Mizzou and KU and a suprise good team: Colo or A&M, this is a very favorable schedule and several wins should be in order if we things well.

 

[vmbplayer]

What he said. Heck I would settle for a non-negative turnover margin :wink:

Positive point margin :wink:, but seriously

I'll go with a solid O-Line. I think our backfield and wide outs are good enough to make plays when they have the time to execute them, but I don't see them having the Superstar aspects that they can overcome poor blocking up front. If we can get a good pass block and some okay run blocking we'll be able to move the ball, but without it our youth in the QBs will kill us under pressure IMO.