A slight bit of optimism, if that's not too inappropriate

[Dale]

Here's the games so far between the teams we've already played in the Big 12 and the teams we've yet to play.

TT over WV
TCU over Baylor
TCU over Kansas
OSU over Kansas
KSU over Oklahoma
KSU over Kansas
KSU over WV (almost certainly)

Oklahoma over TT
Texas over OSU

In short: The teams we've already played are 7-2 against the teams we have yet to play.

WV at home, Baylor at home, @Kansas: Looking at the totality of how Iowa State has played this season—not just today—these all look like winnable games. Even @Texas isn't crazy to think ISU has a chance. Oklahoma at home's not looking too likely, but we've said that before, haven't we?

Nothing this season has been as bad as the 52-17 loss to Missouri last season. We have a winning record, and an improving schedule heading forward. Let's not throw away this season yet.

[MIClone]

Totally agree, but when you watch today's game, it's difficult to imagine how we are going to score points; especially without Lenz and White.

[Dale]

How do we score points? We play Baylor, WV, and Kansas. That's how.

[cyfan50438]

Stop, just Stop. we can't talk positive on here. No can do.

[Wesley]

Our offense against KSU looks better than the WVU offense tonight. And their defense.

[Wesley]

Totally agree, but when you watch today's game, it's difficult to imagine how we are going to score points; especially without Lenz and White.

White may be back.

[mtowncyclone13]

2 things from watching this beat down in Morgantown. 1) WVU was waaaaay overrated, and 2) I'm feeling a lot better about that Friday game in late November. We played much better against KSU than WVU (a better team?) has.

To stay positive, even with all of our faults, we are really really close to being a great Big12 program.

[Dale]

Our offense against KSU looks better than the WVU offense tonight. And their defense.

Yes, we looked much better against KSU than WV does. And we looked much better against Tech than WV did. People on this board have been saying, oh, if lose to Baylor, that's it for bowl eligibility. Not by a longshot.

[ISUAlum2002]

How do we score points? We play Baylor, WV, and Kansas. That's how.

Still have to run an offense that doesn't look discombobulated every other play. It's one thing to play "good" defenses and not have production while running an offense that seems to have a purpose, it's another thing to play "good" defenses and look like you have absolutely no idea what kind of game plan you're trying to run while not being productive.

Right now, we don't seem to have an identity on offense. Playing against bad defenses isn't going to make that identity suddenly appear.

[ISUFB]

No no no.. you can't have any optimism right now. This is full blown melt down!
Mods.. please remove this man IMMEDIATELY

[UNIGuy4Cy]

I said it before we have played the class of the Big 12 and we are 1-3. OU is tough but we get them at home and Bob Stoops is known to take a fall on the road. Texas will be tough but we all know how that goes down there. There will be more ISU fans at the KU game than KU fans. We can beat Baylor, WV and KU for sure.

[klamath632]

How has our defense looked against teams that spread the field and throw the ball?

Downright ******.

I dread playing Baylor and WVU. I think our best remaining chances for wins are against OU, Texas and Kansas.

[UNIGuy4Cy]

How has our defense looked against teams that spread the field and throw the ball?

Downright ******.

I dread playing Baylor and WVU. I think our best remaining chances for wins are against OU, Texas and Kansas.

Didnt we limit OSU and TTU to their lowest point outputs of the season?

[klamath632]

Didnt we limit OSU and TTU to their lowest point outputs of the season?

What's that got to do with anything if we lose the games? We've got Rhoads, we're beyond moral victories.

[ISUFB]

Didnt we limit OSU and TTU to their lowest point outputs of the season?

while giving up 600+ yards.