Article about Chizik/Pollard on ESPN.com

**Go_State** · 03-02-2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by mjones34

Crap, I'll just be happy with 6-6 next year OR 1-11 with that win being over IOWA:)

I would be happy if that one win was over Texas

**darts180** · 03-02-2007, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

Thank you, o'voice of reason.

Just trying to temper expectations, Lord knows we have seen enough of that being done over the past 12 years. I am going to have to think up some meaningless statistics to defend why we shouldn't win

.

**ISUFan22** · 03-02-2007, 01:36 PM

I'll take whatever we get this fall. I hope to see some improvement. This isn't only measured in wins, as G-Mac has stated time and time again. I look at them as somewhat similar situations.

However, Chizik does have a lot more talent than G-Mac had coming in. So we'll see.

I think we could be anywhere from 2-7 wins this season. IMO, it all depends on the offensive/defensive lines.

**mike4cy** · 03-02-2007, 01:39 PM

The biggest change that I want to see...being ready to play from the first snap. Maybe acting fired up for a HUGE home game. Way too often we came out flat (Nebraska) and by the time we decided to play the game was over.

**iccyfan** · 03-02-2007, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I think we could be anywhere from 2-7 wins this season.

Way to go out on a limb, and with a "qualifier" no less!!!

**mwitt** · 03-02-2007, 01:45 PM

We're really going to have to take care of business in the non-conference. Iowa will be tough but doable, in my opinion, and we'll need to get the W at Toledo. The first part of our conference schedule is brutal.

At Nebraska, at Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, at Missouri (I wonder if they'll want revenge?)

If we sneak into a bowl game, Chizik should get Big 12 Coach of the Year consideration.

**Bobber** · 03-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Has our talent level really increased that much since DMac? I think we are rated in the Mid 60's for the country on talent coming in? Granted he did a great job with the short time he had, but I don't see all the blue chippers you guys do.

Hopefully we'll have a more healthy team this year and perhaps some better game day coaching will win us a few more games.

I agree with Dart 180 however that while we all want the team to go to the Big 12 championship this year, we need to be a little patient.

**clones_jer** · 03-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

We're really going to have to take care of business in the non-conference. Iowa will be tough but doable, in my opinion, and we'll need to get the W at Toledo. The first part of our conference schedule is brutal.

At Nebraska, at Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, at Missouri (I wonder if they'll want revenge?)

If we sneak into a bowl game, Chizik should get Big 12 Coach of the Year consideration.

I hope to everything holy I'm wrong - but I don't see a win anywhere in that stretch.

**HOTDON** · 03-02-2007, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

...tough but doable, in my opinion...

I had a girlfriend like that once

**jkoo** · 03-02-2007, 01:59 PM

You guys forget we have a senior QB and a great receiving corps coming back. Yea they didn't play to their potential last year, but I expect them to this year with a total new mindset. I expect MORE than 3 or 4 wins but not 7 because of the strength of schedule. I am looking forward to the year after next because Chizik will have had his foot in the door in recruiting circles and our schedule will become easier.

**mwitt** · 03-02-2007, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

I hope to everything holy I'm wrong - but I don't see a win anywhere in that stretch.

All the more reason we need to take care of business in the non-conference.

Why do we always play those tough teams always at the beginning? I know with the south schools, they don't like to travel north when it's cold, but why Nebraska always to open it up?

**Erik4Cy** · 03-02-2007, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

Realistically!?!?, how is this realistically, we are coming off a 4 win season (all four of which we barely got away with) we play a much tougher schedule with all our home games against programs that were better than us last year, and you know how great we play in road games, AND we had one of the lowest ranked recruiting classes in the big 12 ...

Realistically is 3 wins will be solid, we go from there for year 2.

we were 11 out of 12 in the big 12 recruiting mostly because of JUCOS...very rarely are you gonna have a highly ranked recruiting class with a lot of JUCOS. Also recruiting rankings after the top 15-20 programs don't mean jack****. GC brought JUCOS in because he thought he could have relative success right away...we don't have a totally bare cupboard, we got some guys on this team with big 12 play and bowl game experience.

And what does it matter that we play a tougher home schedule against programs that were better than us LAST YEAR? That's why they call it LAST YEAR...Texas and OU are TOUGH teams and I don't see us beating them for awhile...but no matter, I would much rather have them at home at JTS rather than on the ROAD...OU and Texas are seriously tough teams to beat at THEIR places. Better to take them out of their element...u never know what can happen when a team becomes lackadasical (spelled wrong prolly) when visiting at a smaller venue than they are used to (EX: TEXAS AND K STATE LAST YEAR!!!!)

I say we are in the 4-5 win range and unless a lot changes from now until Aug 30. I will still guess that. a 6 win season and bowl game year would be an AMAZING achievement for GC, but not probable nor impossible.

if you are saying we are in the 2-3 win range...Let's say 3...then I am guessing you are predicting wins against Kent State, Toledo, and UNI. Assuming that, we go 0-8 in conf. play as well as lose to iowa. I am sorry but I don't see us taking a step back this year. I don't see us going TONS forward in GC's first year, but I don't back-stepping.

with those 3 wins assumed. you still think we can't beat an iowa team that won't be that good AT our place? (they might have an okay record, but that will be because of no OSU or Mich.) ISU/iowa will be a swing game either way every year due to fact its a rivalry game. OU and Texas are prolly not gonna be winable games, but I will be there cheering for the W nonetheless. Nebraska is another one I don't think we will win, but you never know what year we'll pull off an upset against them. And you think we will lose ALL the ones against Mizzou, Kansas, K State, and Colorado? We could only go 1-3 against that lineup, but 2-2 or 3-1 isn't a pipe dream either...I just don't see an 0-4 against those north opponents. Mizzou is another swing rivalry game and colorado was not a good team last year and hawkins is gonna have his work cut out for him for awhile. I don't see us getting SPANKED by kansas again either. we may not win, but it will be closer.

IDK how you think 4-5 is SOOO unrealistic. I really think we will throw teams off...we don't have ALL the talent we want, but we are not a bunch of scrubs. you also gotta remember this is a totally new staff and new tampa 2 defense and new offensive philosphy as well. opponents are not gonna have much tape or scouting to go off of on us. If GC is smart, he doesn't show too much early in the season and just plays the early games solid and straight up against Kent State, UNI and Toledo.

**cyQlone** · 03-02-2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by isumellie

Well there is only 43 more days to the spring game! That is something to look forward to.

I'm in Houston though, so I probably won't be making the spring game. But it is a nice thought that it is getting closer!

**clones_jer** · 03-02-2007, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by isucyclone4

IDK how you think 4-5 is SOOO unrealistic. I really think we will throw teams off...we don't have ALL the talent we want, but we are not a bunch of scrubs. you also gotta remember this is a totally new staff and new tampa 2 defense and new offensive philosphy as well. opponents are not gonna have much tape or scouting to go off of on us. If GC is smart, he doesn't show too much early in the season and just plays the early games solid and straight up against Kent State, UNI and Toledo.

I quoted your expected 5-6 wins as being unrealistic, lets not backstep here.

Lets go with Vegas, how many games do you thing we'll be favored in? Hell, I bet Toledo is a straight up game, as it probably should be given last season.

our "talent" took a huge step backwards last year - and you're expecting an a lot out of the jucos.

If Meyer/Blythe becomes what they're supposed to be, and Chizek transforms the defense into something resembling the Texas second team - then ok fine 4 wins again.

Just put the pipe down about the bowl, maybe in 08, expect it for 09.