2008 football predictions

[tejasclone]

A&M - L, if we beat Neb we will lose this game, if we lose to Neb we will win this game.

I had this same thought. I think we win 1 of these 2, but likely not both. I think it's more likely that we show up against Nebraska than against A&M, but who really knows. It'd be sweet to take 'em both, but I don't think we have the horses to do it.

[djkent01]

W - SDS - slow start, but a blowout second half. ISU wins big.
W - Kent State - Methodical, dominating win.
W - @ Iowa - Intense game, ISU's "spread" wins late.
W - @ UNLV - SCARY sandwich game.
L - KU - ISU competes but loses by 10 - 14 late. Learning experience.
W - @ Baylor - Another methodical, dominating win.
L - Nebraska - We'll see if coach eliminates the psyche factor
W - A&M - like above, either NU or A&M will be a win.
L - OSU - although very competitive. ISU in rounding well.
L - CU - letdown from OSU game
L - MU - but highly competitive. ISU's arrival
W - K-State - Methodical and dominating. On to a bowl game

This team is bigger, stronger, and faster than 07. Another year of the system, improved QB play, dramatically improved running game. O-line is a factor, defense surprised, and field position changes everything for 08.

[jaretac]

This team is bigger, stronger, and faster than 07. Another year of the system, improved QB play, dramatically improved running game. O-line is a factor, defense surprised, and field position changes everything for 08.

I agree completely.

Arnuad/ Bates QB play I think will be better then Meyer last season. My biggest concern on offense is the receiver corp- it will be interesting to see who Chizik redshirts this fall. The rest of the offense is mostly intact. There may be some growing pains, but we should be able to win the first few games with the a much improved running game.

On defense my biggest concern was the D-line, but my mind has changed after seeing the spring game. The secondary should be steady once again, but not fancy.

Not to mention, should be, improved special teams (kicking).

[ISUFan22]

Not to mention, should be, improved special teams (kicking).

Jury still out there - as we're depending on some freshman to handle the job for us.

[djkent01]

Jury still out there - as we're depending on some freshman to handle the job for us.

No question - that's a huge factor. I HAVE to believe we can't do much worse than 07. However, I think we'll change the field position dynamics by virtue of the running game and the O-line.

By the way - did anybody else notice Rickey Thompson Jr at the Spring scrimmage? If he runs like that all the time and gets utilized, he's going to change the short-yardage dynamic. he's a senior - but he WOULDN'T go down. It took 3 guys to tackle him on every play and he got at least 3 yards on every run. I was stunned. A guy like that can make a real difference.

[jaretac]

The special teams can't be any worse than last year, and I've heard nothing but good about the two kickers coming in.

[BryceC]

One thing that can't be worse is the kickoffs. I love that Chizik brought in Guyer to boot it deep. That is one part of special teams that literally cannot be worse. I mean we were terrible at that last year.

[4429 mcc]

There are more unknowns this year than last.

[timc243]

My prediction is that we win some but then we lose some. Then hopefully we win another one.

[SplitIdentity]

W - South Dakota State
W - Kent State
L - @ Iowa
L- @ UNLV
L - KU
L- @ Baylor
W- Nebraska
L- A&M
L - OSU
W- CU
L - MU
W - K-State

I see too many questions on offense and defense for ISU. Special teams will be improved, but with a new kicker, who knows? I know it's popular to pick the wins against Iowa, UNLV, Baylor, and Nebby/A&M, but one things that those teams have that ISU doesn't is experience, and Iowa, UNLV, and Baylor will have homefield advantage.

[CyGuy33]

aug. 28 vs. south dakota state
1st Game of the season, we're going to be ready and get a win. It will hopefully tell alot about what we have as a team 1-0

sept. 6 vs. kent st.
At Home, I think Gene makes them watch last years game 25 times that week and we win big 2-0

Sept. 13 AT iowa
I don't care if my prediction is wrong there is only one way to go with this - IOWA STATE WINS AND WINS BIGGGGGG!! 3-0

Sept. 20 AT UNLV
UNLV is still upset about the way things ended last year and takes it out on us 3-1

Oct. 4 vs. Kansas
KU and Mangino are thinking Bowling and not because Mangino loves their hotdogs. 3-2

Oct. 11 AT Baylor
We can win at Baylor and a Road win in the Big 12 is always good 4-2

Oct. 18 Nebraska
One of the hardest for me to pick but I think ISU can win at home against a new system. 5-2

Oct. 25 Texas A&M
I've got A&M taking this one 5-3

Nov. 1 AT oklahoma st.
Not gonna get this road game, but ask their coach if you want another opinion, he's a man. 5-4

Nov. 8 At Colorado
Clones beat the Buffs - 6-4

Nov. 15 Missouri
Mizzouri is going to trounce us 6-5

Nov. 22 AT Kansas st.
Depending on how we come back from the Mizzou game will determine our future. I'm not going to be generous with a young team and I'm saying not a good outcome 6-6

[scyclonekid]

All games are a make or break, Iowa could give us fits I really really hope not since I can not stand them, but it is a rival. If we beat Iowa very convincely I will be more at ease. Nebraska a thorn in my side along with Texas A & M, we beat them I say confidence is built and hey I like bowling. One thing I would like to see after this season is maybe playing stronger competition at the beginning of the season therefore we get more notice for recruiting, any comments on that?

[Benny34]

I think one thing everyone needs to remember is that even if we go 6-6 that does not guarantee a bowl game. Iowa stayed home with a 6-6 record last year and unless the Big XII puts two teams in the BCS then we would probably stay home as well.

That said, I will not make a good, formal prediction until I see some practice reports from August.

Our odds are not all that bad for a 6-6 bowl. They added 2 bowls so 4 more teams go bowling this year.

[Al_4_State]

Note the member I quoted was referring to a non-conference game, as was I.

If it was said losing games that we should have won and/or letting games we should win get away from us late was common - then I would have completely agreed.

I was referring to losing winnable games. Wyoming? Wyoming? Wyoming? UConn? UConn? UConn? Remember those 3 games we should have lost to start the '06 campaign? Yes, I know we didn't actually lose, but we were so close to losing to an inferior opponent that I really don't see those as wins.

[Topshelf]

5 - 7, I don't want to get my hopes too high. I think Chizik's 3rd year is the break through year. Too many young players at the skill positions. Yes, we might upset a team, but a team may upset us in return....