Williams & Blum Pod: Red alert on bowl season, Liberty Bowl thoughts & hoops wrap-up

This bowl was hyped big time by CW, Blum, Pollard, and many others because it was going to be one of the only bowls where both teams were basically intact (hardly no opt outs, etc). And it could be a big springboard into next season, etc, etc.

And then we got our a**es handed to us... and all of the sudden the fans put WAY too much importance on this meaningless game.

Is there any podcast, or coverage out there that doesn't just pump sunshine into this program all the time because it's in their best interest to do so?

I do think CF, and Iowa Everywhere, do a great job at what they do, and I enjoy all the coverage and listening to it. I just wish the coverage was a lot more honest... but I get it... they HAVE to do that or they get no access, inside info, interviews, etc. I know they say they don't, but it's very obvious that is the case.
It's amazing how you see this kind of criticism and then you go to the KXNO thread and see nothing but constant ******** because they aren't pumping enough ISU sunshine.
 
I personally don’t understand the importance of winning or losing a mid tier bowl game. Minnesota beat Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. Is that significant? If they lost, does that mean the program is destined to be a failure next year as well?

I view non NY6 games as a way to celebrate a good season by playing one more game where players can spend a few days before the game having fun in the host city. NY6 games will be the only games that truly matter starting next season. The only reason these non NY6 games exist is because they generate money. If these games no longer become profitable, the non NY6 games will eventually fold. There have been quite a few bowl games that have ceased to exist over the years for this very reason.

For these reasons, I really don’t care about non NY6 games and the winning/losing team from those games. Just my opinion; I respect others who feel differently


What kind of post is this? You don't understand the importance and really don't care......................?

Well good thing your thinking is an outlier and a majority do.........or per your post these games will go away. And then a school like ISU will never have the option to "celebrate a good season by playing one more game".

Stop tripping over yourself down playing a s*** show by the ISU football team.
 
What kind of post is this? You don't understand the importance and really don't care......................?

Well good thing your thinking is an outlier and a majority do.........or per your post these games will go away. And then a school like ISU will never have the option to "celebrate a good season by playing one more game".

Stop tripping over yourself down playing a s*** show by the ISU football team.
Bowl games are fun, but they are meaningless in terms of being a good measuring stick for a football team. They are a total outlier and are in no way similar to a game during the course of a season. The fact that many players with professional opportunities don't play and piss poor fan attendance reflects that.
 
What kind of post is this? You don't understand the importance and really don't care......................?

Well good thing your thinking is an outlier and a majority do.........or per your post these games will go away. And then a school like ISU will never have the option to "celebrate a good season by playing one more game".

Stop tripping over yourself down playing a s*** show by the ISU football team.
It’s the truth. The only bowl games that will matter going forward are those tied to the playoffs. If corporate $$ no longer wants to support these other bowl games, these games will start to be eliminated. Remember, the NCAA doesn’t have anything to do with bowl games; the games are designed to attract $$ to towns and corporations
 
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Bowl games are fun, but they are meaningless in terms of being a good measuring stick for a football team. They are a total outlier and are in no way similar to a game during the course of a season. The fact that many players with professional opportunities don't play and piss poor fan attendance reflects that.
I still think for programs trying to build or get to the next level bowl games are not meaningless. I think for a program like ISU it's important to get as many wins as possible to get to that next level. Are they the most important game of the year? Probably not but they are far from meaningless. Just my opinion
 
The Campbell is underpaid argument would be compelling if we weren't getting out coached and out prepared by staffs that make less as a whole than he does. Also a lot of the **** he is below average at is stuff like high level high school coaches and d3 coaches are able to do.
 
The Campbell is underpaid argument would be compelling if we weren't getting out coached and out prepared by staffs that make less as a whole than he does. Also a lot of the **** he is below average at is stuff like high level high school coaches and d3 coaches are able to do.

I don't know about that.

I do know that when Campbell was in position to gouge ISU on money he didn't press for it and instead requested more money for staff. I see that as a high character thing to do at a place with more limited resources like ISU.
 
If you guys actually listened to the podcast, we were complimenting Iowa State's fan base for still caring about games like these. I understand it's a sign of the era in which we live but some of the crap that many of you make up just to be outraged is just exhausting.

we just love this stupid ass team and cyclone fanatic too much. You all give us a lot of entertainment over the year. thanks
 
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The Campbell is underpaid argument would be compelling if we weren't getting out coached and out prepared by staffs that make less as a whole than he does. Also a lot of the **** he is below average at is stuff like high level high school coaches and d3 coaches are able to do.

We can argue about the amount of money coaches make, but Campbell is underpaid based on the market.
 
I personally don’t understand the importance of winning or losing a mid tier bowl game. Minnesota beat Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. Is that significant? If they lost, does that mean the program is destined to be a failure next year as well?

I view non NY6 games as a way to celebrate a good season by playing one more game where players can spend a few days before the game having fun in the host city. NY6 games will be the only games that truly matter starting next season. The only reason these non NY6 games exist is because they generate money. If these games no longer become profitable, the non NY6 games will eventually fold. There have been quite a few bowl games that have ceased to exist over the years for this very reason.

For these reasons, I really don’t care about non NY6 games and the winning/losing team from those games. Just my opinion; I respect others who feel differently
In the end, winning or losing is not that big of a deal. But that is a bad proposition for ESPN that is in the business of hyping the bowls and promoting certain conferences.

But I feel a team playing well in a bowl game goes a long way in keeping a fan base optimistic going into the off-season. As far as the Clones go, Memphis coaches reinforced what Matt Campbell & staff need to focus on in off-season:
  1. O-line
  2. Better play from front 6 on defense (stop run & pressure QB)
 
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I still think for programs trying to build or get to the next level bowl games are not meaningless. I think for a program like ISU it's important to get as many wins as possible to get to that next level. Are they the most important game of the year? Probably not but they are far from meaningless. Just my opinion

I'll retract from saying they're all-out meaningless. There's money involved and the team benefits from practices, etc.

I think they're overvalued as a predictor or 'springboard' for the program into the next season. There's just so much that goes into a different season 8 months later.
 
He’s not underpaid. This program would rank under his tenure around 45-50 nationally. If he’s payed 47th, that’s right in line with results.
I would think Campbell's record over last 8 years is higher than 45-50 nationally among P5 programs.

How about looking at Matt Campbell's Big12 winning percentage vs. McCarney, Chizek or Rhoads.

McCarney: 27-68 (.284)
Chizek: 2-14 (.125)
Rhoads: 16-45 (.262)
Campbell: 38-34 (.528)

Sure ISU fans should want the Clones to take the next step. But to minimize what Campbell has done at Iowa State is not knowing or ignoring our football history. Here's a stat for you. After 72 Big12 games, if Campbell had McCarney's .284 win percentage, Campbell would only have 21 Big12 wins!! I'd say Campbell has set the standard, by far, for ISU Coaches.

BTW, Johnny Majors was 9-25-1 and Earl Bruce was 18-24 in Big8 play.
 
If you guys actually listened to the podcast, we were complimenting Iowa State's fan base for still caring about games like these. I understand it's a sign of the era in which we live but some of the crap that many of you make up just to be outraged is just exhausting.
Agree completely here and thanks for the compelling discussion during the podcast. There is not much you can do about dealing with the lunatic fringe here on CF or on X.

A couple of points re' the podcast. One is your discussion re' the DL. Everyone can agree that the DL lacks a Will McD to generate a consistent pass rush from a 3 man front but the DL did their job for the most part this season which is stuff the run and enable the LBs to make plays out of the 3-3-5. That said, I look for Snyder, Ezeogo and Same to help improve the DE pass rush next season but Heacock/Viedt have got to improve the scheme and technique of the LBs as well in pass rush situations. IMO, that was a bigger problem than the DL personnel. And I that get outside of Vaughn, the LBs that got most of the snaps were all FR and Sophs so all of those returning guys (Bacon, Ebel, McLaughlin, Willich, Sadowsky) who got significant snaps this season will get better.

Regarding bowls, one no brainer fix to make at least 7 of them more compelling is to have a separate 8 team G5 playoff. It is absolutely pathetic that G5 programs currently don't have a legitimate path to compete for a national championship (even in an expanded CFP) and I strongly believe that an 8 team playoff strategically staged at 7 different regional bowl venues would be a hit both on the field and on TV.
 

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