Toledo..at 0-3 look very beatable

[ahaselhu]

Stats are fairly meaningless. ISU had some really bad stats going into the Iowa game but still came out with a win.

Well said. I think this game will say alot about whether we really are coming together as a team. It's much harder to perform on the road.

[Baffan]

I would say that this is going to be another difficult game to predict the outcome for. Toledo's defense isn't the greatest and I think as long as the Clones can cut down on the turnovers like we did against Iowa we will see a few touchdowns. A thing to keep in mind is that Iowa's defense is supposed to be a good defense. I know they have yet to play a good team to prove that the defense is great but going into the Iowa State game their defense had a lot of hype.

I have been saying this entire year that I don't think our defense is at all bad. It is definitely not the best or even all that great but I don't think it is as bad as some people are thinking.

The reason I think our defense is not statistically looking that great is because the amount of time they spent on the field in the first two games. If our offense can hang onto the ball long enough to give the defense a break I think we will hold Toledo's offense pretty well. Our defense this year in my eyes already stands out more than last years. We have already been making some big sacks and plays just have to keep improving.


My prediction: ISU 34 | Toledo 10

[bawbie]

To those saying "if we can keep the intensity from the Iowa game..."

Have you paid any attention to ISU football for the last 10 years? Not once have we come out the next week with the same intensity we showed in the Iowa game, especially when playing on the road.

[CloneAggie]

To those saying "if we can keep the intensity from the Iowa game..."

Have you paid any attention to ISU football for the last 10 years? Not once have we come out the next week with the same intensity we showed in the Iowa game, especially when playing on the road.

But maybe something is different this year than the past 10 (or 12) years? Just maybe.

[HuxleyClone]

I can think of a new coach that may have some halftime schemes as opposed to our old one who used to take a nap after halftime.

[Cyclonepride]

I think one of the keys will be jumping on top early. Good for ISU's confidence, bad for Toledo's. However, I think coming back to snag the victory from the jaws of defeat is a really big deal, and I think Chizik will have them ready. I'm pretty sure after the first two weeks, the players are still going to be hungry to prove themselves. Plus, they are even more apt to listen to and follow their coaches after seeing dividends on the field.

[ScottyP]

Keep in mind its a road game. The Cyclones usually struggle in those games. On the other hand, we have a new coach who might do better in road games. I think if our defense plays good, we will have a chance in most of our games. Some touchdowns will help the cause.

[Flag Guy]

I am a bit worried for the weekend in that we usually do seem to come together better for Iowa than we do other games... so I'm not convienced that we've come together as a team yet. However I do have some hope that beating Iowa will have the team better unified than it was after Kent State and UNI

Getting a head early like CyclonePride said is probally going to be rather important

[pcyclonatrist]

ketelmeister said:

Toledo has played 35 freshmen and sophomores in their first three games, and is obviously very young and inexperienced.

I'm guessing that all of the Toledo players, except the true freshman, have more experience with their offensive and defensive schemes than any of our players have with our offensive and defensive schemes. I don't think we're going to have much of an "experience" advantage. I think this will be a tough but winnable game.