Hey Cyclone fans, Raider here (sorry for the long post)

**VeloClone** · 09-17-2012, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by State43

I honestly have a hard time reading your posts due to the amazing avatar...

This is the only circumstance where you will hear me repeating the TTU catch phrase, "Guns up!"

**TTUchris** · 09-17-2012, 04:11 PM

Yet another Tech fan here. As has been mentioned already, we are pleasantly surprised with the team's performance and attitude so far this season. BUT, I think my fellow Red Raider fans are in for a rude awakening soon. Yes, we look different this year, but I am still struggling to get last year's taste out of my mouth. We were BAD. Yes, we ran off a terrible DC, but still...we were horrendous in the second half of the season. I have no doubt we will be more competitive with you guys than we were last year, but I still cannot figure out how some are chalking this game up as a W. We haven't sniffed the slightest bit of adversity yet, so we have no idea how we'll react if ISU puts up a couple touchdowns early. The only thing I'm 100% sure of at this point is that I am so glad football season is back

Good luck to the Cyclones, hoping for a good clean game!

**clonestar12** · 09-17-2012, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by ttuadvisor

Cobb and Hubert didn't even start until the injuries piled up last year. There is no chance they would have started this year. Our biggest improvement has come on the defensive line which was decimated by injuries last year. Tech has the most returning OL starts in the conference according to Phil Steele, so we feel good about our cohesiveness and communication up front and fortunately don't have to play any linemen with torn ACL's last year.

Tech started two true freshman at LB last season and have now brought in a MLB from JUCO who started first day of fall camp. We don't have any Jake or A.J.'s on our roster like you guys, but when you start an all true freshmen LB core last year, anything is an improvement. We're playing 7 4* recruits at WR and our TE is a monster. I think we're improved at every position except for CB. We're still inexperienced and don't have great depth there.

I was in Lubbock for last year's game, and my family wore the colors of both teams. If TT can stop the run, they will have a fighting chance. if they don't stop the run, they will have almost zero chance to win. last year's game was a complete mismatch and ISU has gotten better. ISU has the secondary depth to stay withh TT WR(all of them). Barnett is better at running the zone read than Jantz, and that does play in TT's favor. TT forcing ISU to throw is the key. While I am sure that TT is better than last year, I believe that TT has a 1 in 4 chance of winning this game on the road.

**mt85** · 09-17-2012, 04:16 PM

I haven't seen TT play, and there is no doubt in my mind that they could come into the Jack and walk out with a victory.

It has to be an exciting time to be a TT fan. Their new coach turns over coaches faster then most programs graduate players. At TT, they don't just rank each years recruiting class, they also get to rank their new coaching staff. There is nothing like a head coach that surrounds himself with the wrong people.

Nothing builds confidence like firing several coaches after a couple of years on the job.

**RedRaider42** · 09-17-2012, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by clonestar12

ISU has the secondary depth to stay withh TT WR(all of them).

With all due respect, absolutely not.

**Baffan** · 09-17-2012, 04:18 PM

Can any of you Tech fans give a little more insight on your offensive line? I know it was mentioned that they have more starts than any other line in the big 12, but how does the talent/depth stack up? Are there any O-linemen that are NFL caliber?

On our end, I would give our starting O-line a grade of B- so far this year, however with the depth we have compared to years past I think the depth brings our grade to a B or B+. I don't think they've been rotating in and out as much as I thought they would, but I don't see a huge drop off from our starters to our 2nds. As far as NFL talent goes, I don't think any lineman has stood out as a clear NFL guy but I believe Bykowski will be by the end of the year. Beyond that we only have one other starting senior in Burris.

**DMICyclone** · 09-17-2012, 04:21 PM

**benjay** · 09-17-2012, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by RedRaider42

With all due respect, absolutely not.

Only the Sith speak in absolutes...

**ttuadvisor** · 09-17-2012, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by clonestar12

I was in Lubbock for last year's game, and my family wore the colors of both teams. If TT can stop the run, they will have a fighting chance. if they don't stop the run, they will have almost zero chance to win. last year's game was a complete mismatch and ISU has gotten better. ISU has the secondary depth to stay withh TT WR(all of them). Barnett is better at running the zone read than Jantz, and that does play in TT's favor. TT forcing ISU to throw is the key. While I am sure that TT is better than last year, I believe that TT has a 1 in 4 chance of winning this game on the road.

You didn't by chance sit in section 6, sneak in some beers, and yap all night about how much better ISU's video board was than Tech's did you?

Barnett did a great job of reading Tech's DE's and making the right call on the zone read, but Tech's idiot DC never adjusted last year. We fired that guy because he was terrible and our new DC was the DC for North Carolina. He's much more experienced, and hopefully won't allow our defense to get gashed by the exact same play all game.

**CycloneErik** · 09-17-2012, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by ttuadvisor

You didn't by chance sit in section 6, sneak in some beers, and yap all night about how much better ISU's video board was than Tech's did you?

Barnett did a great job of reading Tech's DE's and making the right call on the zone read, but Tech's idiot DC never adjusted last year. We fired that guy because he was terrible and our new DC was the DC for North Carolina. He's much more experienced, and hopefully won't allow our defense to get gashed by the exact same play all game.

Gene Chizik was a DC undefeated for 2 consecutive seasons at Auburn and Texas. gene Chizik can't make an in-game adjustment to save his life.

It's nice that the guy was at North Carolina. It really doesn't mean that he's ready for the Big 12 or that he isn't. It's just nice.

**CyFan61** · 09-17-2012, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by RedRaider42

With all due respect, absolutely not.

Bold talk from a guy who's team scored 7 points at home last year.

**ttuadvisor** · 09-17-2012, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Baffan

Can any of you Tech fans give a little more insight on your offensive line? I know it was mentioned that they have more starts than any other line in the big 12, but how does the talent/depth stack up? Are there any O-linemen that are NFL caliber?

NFL scouts have been around looking at our LT LaAdrian Waddle. I don't know his projected round, but he'll be drafted for sure. We have a multi-year starter at Center and a returning starter at RT. Our LG and RG have been rotating in some redshirt freshmen and experienced guys. We're not as deep as we'd like to be, but our starting 5 are easily in the top half of the conference. We just need them to stay healthy.

**benjay** · 09-17-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by ttuadvisor

You didn't by chance sit in section 6, sneak in some beers, and yap all night about how much better ISU's video board was than Tech's did you?

Barnett did a great job of reading Tech's DE's and making the right call on the zone read, but Tech's idiot DC never adjusted last year. We fired that guy because he was terrible and our new DC was the DC for North Carolina. He's much more experienced, and hopefully won't allow our defense to get gashed by the exact same play all game.

You're still in the honeymoon phase with your new DC. Let's see how you feel at the end of the season - or even after your first Big 12 game. :)

**State43** · 09-17-2012, 04:31 PM

Steele isn't half as good as Barnett on zone reads, but he throws much better imo. To be honest, I think ISU will look completely different than the ISU Tech played last season. I hope Nealy gets some carries that matter this time. Anyone know if Woody is going to play? How about Shontrelle, he got 4 total carries last game.