ISU FB discussion on 1620 ESPN in the Big O!

[Clones85']

I don't know about OSU being the top team in the south. They will be pretty solid but it's hard to compare them to OU and Tex. They don't have the same talent....yet.

I like our chances against both Baylor and A&M. I am far from writing them off as wins, but they are both bringing in new coaches. We know how difficult that can be.

[cyfan15]

Originally Posted by weR138

Hayden Fry once said that ISU doesn't win because there is no expectation of winning at ISU. I intend to make him wrong, not wise. I doubt we win all three but I think winning one of these is absolutely going to happen.

How 'bout jumpin on the Gene Chizik Band Wagon and comin' on in for the big win!

Also, I vaguely remember what happened the last time we played Baylor. We lost under the coaching of Florida's D-Line coach?

Go Cyclones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're misinterpreting the word "expect". There's a difference between saying "I expect it to rain" (prediction) and saying "I expect you to come to work on time" (demand). What Fry was saying is that the fans and especially the administration did not demand that the football program be successful, and therefore it wasn't.

That said, there is nothing wrong with being optimistic about this season, as long as we are realistically optimistic. The realistic range of wins is probably three on the low end and seven on the high end. Someone who is realistically optimistic, which I consider myself, would predict six or seven wins. Predicting much more than that at this point in Chizik's tenure at ISU is getting into koolaid drinker territory. It's not wrong to someday expect (both predict and demand) more than seven wins, but at this point it is.

[weR138]

What Fry was saying is that the fans and especially the administration did not demand that the football program be successful, and therefore it wasn't.

Actually, this is exactly what I meant by "expect". Good explaination though, very succinct.

You stay cautiously optimistic, I'll stay fanatical. I think the players and coaches are on my side though.

As John Lennon said, "I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one, Cyclone Earth".

[Steve]

Originally Posted by becrisgreg

And that radio station predicted we would lose to South Dakota State, and debated whether or not Nebraska would seriously challenge Missouri for Big 12 North supremacy this year. The 2 host agreed they would.

At best UNL is 4th in the North, more likely 5-6th. GBR!

Former Husker Damen Benning was the host who talked up SDS. Benning usually provides an insightful assessment even when it comes to the Huskers. I didn't think that he predicted that SDS would win, just that they are much better than most people realize. To be fair, Demming gave Chizik credit for finishing on a strong note last year. He was also not out of line in raising concerns about the WR & DB positions.

[flander1649]

Going into this season I don't think there is a game on the schedule that Chizik and his cyclones don't have a chance of winning. Am I saying they will go 12-0 no way I still think that ISU will end up 6-6 this year but there isn't a game that they can't win. In the past except for maybe 2005 there has always been game on the schedule I thought there is no way ISU can win that game this year. All the games this year are winnable but I still think that ISU is to young to post a record of better then 8 wins. I really think they will be in every game this year with a chance to win it.

[CycloneWanderer]

What is the point to being "cautiously optimistic?" I think by doing so you are just protecting your ego, putting on some "ego armor" let's call it. If players put on too much ego armor it slows them down and makes them worse. Players playing fanatically go all-out, which helps. The ego-armor, cautiously optimistic point of view doesn't help, losses still hurt just as much with the armor as without. So, take off the armor, drink some kool-aid, and enjoy the party over here. : )

[BryceC]

I enjoy the party just fine without thinking we'll win on the road against OSU.

I have no problem with the kool-aid drinking. The only thing that annoys me are the meltdowns after games we lose people think we should win.

[bmuff]

Originally Posted by Steve

He was also not out of line in raising concerns about the WR & DB positions.

I personally am not really worried about WR and DB at all. Those two positions should not be any worse than last year. Because I'm an expert on ISU FB and Benning is not, I'll take my opinion over his (5-7 seems about right). Here are my worries:

1.Interior DL - Replacing Tuba and Braaksma to stop the run.
2.LB - Ace is a big loss, Banks probably not so much.
3.QB inconsistancy - but to be fair, Meyer was inconsistant last year anyway.
4.Pass rush - Can Taylor and Parker/Lyle get more pressure?

[cyfan15]

Originally Posted by CycloneWanderer

What is the point to being "cautiously optimistic?" I think by doing so you are just protecting your ego, putting on some "ego armor" let's call it. If players put on too much ego armor it slows them down and makes them worse. Players playing fanatically go all-out, which helps. The ego-armor, cautiously optimistic point of view doesn't help, losses still hurt just as much with the armor as without. So, take off the armor, drink some kool-aid, and enjoy the party over here. : )

The point of being realistically optimistic is that you don't lose sight of what makes a good season. Often the biggest koolaid drinkers during the offseason are the first to meltdown when they realize we're not as good as they thought. I remember last year many of the same people that thought we would win seven or eight games were already questioning whether we made the right hire after we lost to Kent State and UNI. I don't want to see that crap again just because we only won five or six games instead of eight or nine games.

[CycloneWanderer]

Originally Posted by cyfan15

The point of being realistically optimistic is that you don't lose sight of what makes a good season. Often the biggest koolaid drinkers during the offseason are the first to meltdown when they realize we're not as good as they thought. I remember last year many of the same people that thought we would win seven or eight games were already questioning whether we made the right hire after we lost to Kent State and UNI. I don't want to see that crap again just because we only won five or six games instead of eight or nine games.

Sounds like they ran out, I'd be upset too if I ran out of kool-aide. It is some good stuff.

Seriously, though, good point. It gets on my nerves too when people do that.

[snobordr4]

Originally Posted by weR138

Hayden Fry once said that ISU doesn't win because there is no expectation of winning at ISU. I intend to make him wrong, not wise. I doubt we win all three but I think winning one of these is absolutely going to happen.

How 'bout jumpin on the Gene Chizik Band Wagon and comin' on in for the big win!

Also, I vaguely remember what happened the last time we played Baylor. We lost under the coaching of Florida's D-Line coach?

Go Cyclones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent Hayden quote. What is the point in having a fan site if the only thing people are going to do is doubt the team. I feel that anytime we step out onto the field, court, etc. that we have a real chance to win. Gene is the real deal and I am very encouraged by the recruits that he has brought to ISU along with the improvement that I saw towards the end of last year. Anyone who has watched the free videos on cyclones.com can tell that the guys are much more focused and determined this year. Move over 'cause I'm gettin' on the wagon!!!

[MontyBurns]

Maybe they meant 4 wins in the Big XII.