OK: Is this a must win?

**cyclones500** · 10-05-2012, 01:13 AM

An occasional debate ensues on Fanatic about "must wins."

The most recent debate came prior to the season opener vs. Tulsa, if memory serves.

Common analysis about must-wins on CF tend to fall into two categories:

(1) Every game is a must-win!

(2) Must-wins are reserved for occasions when it's necessary to win to avoid falling short of whatever it is we expect to achieve (or something like that). (Obvious example: Have to win last game of season for bowl eligibility).

Each of those views has validity, in many situations.

Well, I think the Iowa State-TCU game qualifies as must-win.

I have a few examples to support my case, but I won't list them yet. I assume many examples will be addressed.

I'm curious to hear non-must-win arguments in this circumstance.

**Doc** · 10-05-2012, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

An occasional debate ensues on Fanatic about "must wins."

The most recent debate came prior to the season opener vs. Tulsa, if memory serves.

Common analysis about must-wins on CF tend to fall into two categories:

(1) Every game is a must-win!

(2) Must-wins are reserved for occasions when it's necessary to win to avoid falling short of whatever it is we expect to achieve (or something like that). (Obvious example: Have to win last game of season for bowl eligibility).

Each of those views has validity, in many situations.

Well, I think the Iowa State-TCU game qualifies as must-win.

I have a few examples to support my case, but I won't list them yet. I assume many examples will be addressed.

I'm curious to hear non-must-win arguments in this circumstance.

Must wins for me are the wins the team needs to get to reach my goal for the team. Since that's 8 total wins, this is not a must win. Just gotta go 4-3 the rest of the way in the B12 if we lose.

**00clone** · 10-05-2012, 01:21 AM

If you are talking about TCU being a must win, why did you ask about Oklahoma in the thread title?

Must win? I don't know...as a fan, I look at every game rooting for a win. I don't think about must, but I'll admit that I look at the schedule and count up what I think we'll get for bowl eligibility.

I will say, though, that since I've been a fan, with CPR and our defense, I look less at 'well we have to win these, because we can't win these' than I ever have. Offense....I'ma leave it there.

**00clone** · 10-05-2012, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Doc

Must wins for me are the wins the team needs to get to reach my goal for the team. Since that's 8 total wins, this is not a must win. Just gotta go 4-3 the rest of the way in the B12 if we lose.

We're 3-1 now....3+4 \= 8

I'll be honest, I just replied with quote so there's a record before correction.

**Doc** · 10-05-2012, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by 00clone

We're 3-1 now....3+4 \= 8

I'll be honest, I just replied with quote so there's a record before correction.

That's my other rule: Always assume a bowl win.

**Doc** · 10-05-2012, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by Doc

That's my other rule: Always assume a bowl win.

**00clone** · 10-05-2012, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by Doc

That's my other rule: Always assume a bowl win.

**CyFan61** · 10-05-2012, 01:41 AM

I'm going to say no, and here's why.

The only way "must win" really makes sense is if a loss makes the path to 6 wins basically impossible. If we lose on Saturday, we're 3-2 with seven to play. Ask yourself, would you have been alright with a 3-2 start to the season going into the Tulsa game? I feel like that's not the end of the world.

Now, looking ahead, can we get 3 more wins? Well, we play KU, so there's one. We also play a Baylor team without a defense, and get them at home, which is certainly a winnable game, so there's potentially two. That leaves five games, of which only one needs to be won to make TCU a non-"must win."

TCU's not a "must win."

**BBHMagic** · 10-05-2012, 01:44 AM

We lost 4 games in a row last year and turned out fine. I also truely feel that we can beat any team we play and lose to any team we play because of turnover issues.

Its just another game, just like the rest of them. The number in front of our opponent doesn't mean anything to this team.

**Rural** · 10-05-2012, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by BBHMagic

We lost 4 games in a row last year and turned out fine. I also truely feel that we can beat any team we play and lose to any team we play because of turnover issues.

Its just another game, just like the rest of them. The number in front of our opponent doesn't mean anything to this team.

"Turned out fine" might be stretching things to the breaking point but the overall point is a good one.

**PGreen ISU '92** · 10-05-2012, 07:32 AM

Time to pull out one of my favorite quotes of all time by the great Marv Levy: "No football game is a must win ... Now World War II -- that was a must win."

Go Cyclones!!!

**dbodeenisudm** · 10-05-2012, 07:37 AM

after the western illinois game i thought it was crucial to win 1 of the next 2. I assumed it would be ttech and lose to TCU. well we lost to ttech so ya this one is a must win if we are going to have a one in four years magical season. if we beat tcu its possible we upset ksu. if we are going to have an average season and go to the lowest tier big 12 bowl then no its not a must win. i really do think the cyclones have a breakout game. between paschall goin down; and utah getting beat down last night; and jantz having his most miserable game ever last week and the team being very hungry and rhoads working his magic; and mess pulling his head out of his arse and wally being the usual genious he is and arceo waking the heck up i think we roll and roll good.

**MissouriCyclone** · 10-05-2012, 07:50 AM

I think with the way their QB situation is right now. It's a must win. I'd feel a little more comfortable about a bowl game if we were 4-1 come Saturday evening.

**ISpyCy** · 10-05-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

An occasional debate ensues on Fanatic about "must wins."

The most recent debate came prior to the season opener vs. Tulsa, if memory serves.

Common analysis about must-wins on CF tend to fall into two categories:

(1) Every game is a must-win!

(2) Must-wins are reserved for occasions when it's necessary to win to avoid falling short of whatever it is we expect to achieve (or something like that). (Obvious example: Have to win last game of season for bowl eligibility).

Each of those views has validity, in many situations.

Well, I think the Iowa State-TCU game qualifies as must-win.

I have a few examples to support my case, but I won't list them yet. I assume many examples will be addressed.

I'm curious to hear non-must-win arguments in this circumstance.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you answered your own question....

**Judoka** · 10-05-2012, 08:03 AM

If we are going to be a respectable team this year and go bowling, rather than and underachieving Mac team, then yes. This is a must win.

I consider every game against mid-tier conference teams to be "must win" for this reason.