Is it weird that my opinion about either team hasn't changed one bit?

[ahaselhu]

So, I didn't bother reading all of the post game threads--but didn't we have some dropped balls that could have given us first downs(and maybe more) on our first 2 drives. In the end, it probably wouldn't have made much difference, but the defense might have been able to get some rest.

Looking back on the game, I think that this fact combined with our inability on defense to get a stop in the first two series is what killed us. If the offense could have gotten one or two first downs, we may have given the defense enough of a rest to avoid the long balls that happened on the third and fourth drives for Iowa.

Our defense certainly needs improvement (which I think they will improve dramatically as the season goes on), but our dropped balls and inability to run on our first two drives got us in a hole we couldn't recover from.

I think there are fixable things that would dramatically change the outcome of this game if we were to play later in the year, and as such I think there is still legitimate hope for the season.

However, we really have to at least play a competitive game against KSU next week (actually we probably need to win that game) to have a reasonable chance at a bowl game.

[thegetaway]

I agree. I will say that I was harboring hopes of a Big XII north title (at heart I am a super-optimist), and that hope is pretty much gone, but I still believe we can make a bowl game.

I think our biggest problem tonight was getting a stop. In Iowa's first two drives we forced a few third and longs as I recall, but we just couldn't get off the field. That wore down our defense and took our offense out of the game.

If our defense can learn to get some stops, I still think we can be decent. But we likely won't be a conference title contender until we get a more effected defensive line.

It's just weird to me, that no one comes out and says, that first offensive series is what set the tone for this game. Iowa takes about 8 minutes to drive down the field and finally score a TD. We get the ball and the first play is a hand off to Arob. No fake, no misdirection, nothing.... then 3rd and 6 Austen throws way too hard to an open receiver who drops it and it's 3 and out...
When you're on the road and out manned you have to create opportunities and I don't think the first series play calling gave us that. We had to sustain at least a minimal drive and keep the defense off the field for a while....
I thought the defense played with a lot of heart. They were out there forever....this bad, bad loss is all on that first series of play calls. Did Herman really think that we could line up with that hyped up defense and go at em toe to toe?

We had to do something different to keep them off guard. And we didn't. I don't care if Iowa stays home and we lose 10 yards on a reverse, at least they have to respect that we might do something different.

Iowa looked great today because we gave them every opportunity to do so.

Reminds me of the first offensive series we had with Seneca against Kstate in 2002.

Pathetic.

[CyPride]

It's just weird to me, that no one comes out and says, that first offensive series is what set the tone for this game. Iowa takes about 8 minutes to drive down the field and finally score a TD. We get the ball and the first play is a hand off to Arob. No fake, no misdirection, nothing.... then 3rd and 6 Austen throws way too hard to an open receiver who drops it and it's 3 and out...
When you're on the road and out manned you have to create opportunities and I don't think the first series play calling gave us that. We had to sustain at least a minimal drive and keep the defense off the field for a while....
I thought the defense played with a lot of heart. They were out there forever....this bad, bad loss is all on that first series of play calls. Did Herman really think that we could line up with that hyped up defense and go at em toe to toe?

We had to do something different to keep them off guard. And we didn't. I don't care if Iowa stays home and we lose 10 yards on a reverse, at least they have to respect that we might do something different.

Iowa looked great today because we gave them every opportunity to do so.

Reminds me of the first offensive series we had with Seneca against Kstate in 2002.

Pathetic.

Seneca.

[SPOONER]

This game matters more to Iowa's guys and Ferentz than it does to us, in terms of the fire and intensity they bring to the matchup.

You don't can't possibly believe this, can you?

And you may want to change your sig. Our linebackers are smallish and sssssssslllllloooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

[SPOONER]

Regardless of how good Iowa is (and I don't think they're anywhere near a top 5 team),

How can you actually say that with a straight face?

They return a ton of starters off an 11 win team that won a BCS bowl game. There is NFL talent up and down that lineup. And they just beat us like a redheaded step child--we are not a bad team.

How does that translate to not "anywhere near" a top 5 team?

[EYE4CY]

Anybody who says this game matters more to Iowa than it does to ISU is just lost. I have seen it from both sides(gone to both schools) and ISU as a school is way more into it than Iowa. As a team, ISU generally has more Iowa people than Iowa does, and people from outside of Iowa don't care nearly as much as instate people. The only reason it would matter more to Iowa is that it is just another game in the way of the perfect season and NC shot.

[Clonefan94]

Quit underrating Iowa out of hatred and this puts us where most of us expected this year. A struggle to make a bowl game. I still love this team, but with an undersized/under class D, with and offense that has some holes, it could be a long year. I still hope my feelings are wrong.

[RING4CY]

Sorry, but I don't see us winning another game the rest of the season

There is just something oxymoronic about your CF login name and this post of yours.

[SPOONER]

Anybody who says this game matters more to Iowa than it does to ISU is just lost. I have seen it from both sides(gone to both schools) and ISU as a school is way more into it than Iowa. As a team, ISU generally has more Iowa people than Iowa does, and people from outside of Iowa don't care nearly as much as instate people. The only reason it would matter more to Iowa is that it is just another game in the way of the perfect season and NC shot.

This man speaks the truth!

[CycloneWarning]

Preseason I predicted it to be a loss for us. Granted, I wanted it to be closer and us to look better, but I knew this would be a tough game. I STILL think we'll go 6-6. Talent-wise, OU and Texas are the only teams we play that will be better than Iowa, and I didn't have us winning those games either.

I predicted Iowa would go 10-2. I still think they lose to OSU and one team they shouldn't lose to.

Did this game hurt? Absolutely. It killed my pride, but my opinions still have not changed.

Seriously? That was embarrassing. Definitely changed my opinion of both teams.

[RING4CY]

Quitting rules!!!

For my money, no way I'm giving up. Still pumped about going to Arrowhead next week and beating Kansas State.

Anybody off the top of their heads remember who Iowa State played and how they performed a year ago the week after Iowa steamrolled ISU 35-3?


The went on the road to Kent State and won 34-14. Now I know ISU plays Kansas State next week, who is better than Kent State. However, my point is, I really believe the Cyclones bounced back a year ago from the Iowa loss with a convincing win over Kent State, which set an early tone for the rest of the season would end up playing out. They beat Kent State convincingly, came home and beat Army. Went on the road for two weeks and suffered losses in what was could have been/should have been wins against Kansas State and Kansas. Came home and beat Baylor during homecoming and traveled to Nebraska the next week with a lot of confidence in their 4-3 record (that should have been 5-1.)

I believe we will learn next week against Kansas State just exactly where this program is at right now, what kind of tone the Cyclones want to set for themselves early in the season, and which direction this young season is going to head.

Since nobody's done this yet: Did we give up after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

If you're looking for a history tutor, drop me a PM.