Taking the ISU glasses off...

**pulse** · 06-18-2008, 06:59 AM

Some people's 'troubling questions', I look at as positive possibilities.

**cyfan4St8** · 06-18-2008, 07:00 AM

I have a great feeling that we will be at least a 6 win if not better. Some of the guys I know that are in the program have told me how much better everybody looks and feels this year. Also I talked to a guy that golfed in the grid iron club outing last week and he said that Chizik was tlaking about Tiller and that he would also be contending for the starting job at QB. I've heard big things about Tiller I hope the hype is true about him.

**hoosman** · 06-18-2008, 07:05 AM

One thing about Cyclone fans, we have fewer Homers (and more teeth) than EIU's followers.

**iowast8fan** · 06-18-2008, 07:17 AM

Personally, I don't care what I expect the team to do. I'll be disappointed with anything less than a bowl game. I expect to end the season at 5-7, but I'll still be disappointed.

**bfross** · 06-18-2008, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by jaretac

If you are talking about the Big12, think about this. Baylor, Texas A&M, and Nebraska all had major coaching changes. How many teams are able to turn it around in one year after a major coaching change? If any of those three do well this year it will be A&M with their solid run game. I think Kansas St. will continue to struggle, and Ron Prince will loss his job this year. I also think that Oklahoma State will not be as good this year- that's just my opinion though. Kansas- will not be a 12 win team this year. They will be very good, but probably 8 or 9 wins are more realistic.

In regards to Kansas, just because they may not have as many wins does not mean they won't be just as good if not better than last year. They get our south rotation this year which is probably good for an extra loss at least. I think A&M play to their strengths under Sherman, something they didn't do under Fran. I don't know about OSU and Baylor, but I think KSU gets six wins as Prince will be singing for his supper. I also think Nebraska is the wild card. Pelini is hoped to be the next Stoops and he very well could be as his resume is just as impressive. I believe that NU has more talent now than the OU team that Stoops took over and he had them pretty solid in his first season. I know the NU defense is a big question mark, but from top to bottom, NU probably has more talent than anyone in the north as Cally recruited very well. If Pelini's brother does anywhere near the job that Pelini did in that 2003 season on defense, they will surprise a lot of people this year.

I know normally that new coaches don't always work out, but all the teams had quit on their old coaches and I think only Briles stepped into a fairly bad situation at Baylor. I believe Sherman and Pelini stepped into fairly decent situations regardless of last year and could have their teams at least playing to the level of the year before.

Bottom line is that the Big 12 is probably good enough to have at least 2 teams in the BCS this year (with the real possibility of playing for the national title) and will probably have 8 teams go bowling so IMO that would be better than last year. Like I said, we may not have the KU story this year, but just because a few teams have more losses, I am not sure they will be any tougher an out than they were last year.

**JDDCy** · 06-18-2008, 07:29 AM

I see A&M really struggling this year trying to convert their option running game over to a pro style offense. Sherman wasn't particularly successful in the NFL and I just don't see him as a great fit at A&M. To say Nebraska has more talent than OU had when Stoops came might also be a stretch. John Blake was a heck of a recruiter he just wasn't a good head coach. There has been a lot of attrition with the talent that Callahan brought in and most of the big-time talent was on offense which was reflected in how poor their defense was last season. Briles may be the suprise of the group because there really aren't any expectations for the Bears.

**Al_4_State** · 06-18-2008, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by JDDCy

I see A&M really struggling this year trying to convert their option running game over to a pro style offense. Sherman wasn't particularly successful in the NFL and I just don't see him as a great fit at A&M. To say Nebraska has more talent than OU had when Stoops came might also be a stretch. John Blake was a heck of a recruiter he just wasn't a good head coach. There has been a lot of attrition with the talent that Callahan brought in and most of the big-time talent was on offense which was reflected in how poor their defense was last season. Briles may be the suprise of the group because there really aren't any expectations for the Bears.

Just a tad....

**Palmer** · 06-18-2008, 08:07 AM

Is it just me...or is A Rob far better then 'solid'?

he did remarkable things for a first year back.

**cycloneryan** · 06-18-2008, 08:08 AM

Is anyone else getting very very pumped that we are talking about football again. I love it. I am ready for it to start right now.

**Bader** · 06-18-2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

LB I think we could be 'ok' here. Jesse Smith makes me sick when he in pass coverage, but I love his nose against the run. Raven, Garrin are super athletic, but not the biggest guys in the world. Again a position where we need some guys who have really never touched JTS playing surface to step up.

Don't forget about Michael Bibbs.

The guy is an athletic freak. Anyone remember that block he had on Bradford's pass late in the OU game? I think he'll start outside and be a strong performer for us all season

**delt4cy** · 06-18-2008, 08:31 AM

...... or Cameron Bell.

I don't know much about him but his size and speed has me excited!

**djkent01** · 06-18-2008, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

No offense to Ricky, but why would he comment on a 5th string RB? He is giving a break down of how each position will be. He didn't list the entire depth chart. Ricky won't play so I don't see why he would list him

Don't be surprised if Rickey is used in short yardage situations. In the spring scrimmage (I know, only one game) he absolutely refused to be tackled. I believe he had 11 rushes for 55 yards - nothing long. It took 2 - 3 guys to tackle him. If someone beats him out and he doesn't play, we're in good hands on 3rd and 3 or less.

**ISUFan22** · 06-18-2008, 09:11 AM

My big key is we simply can't look inept against SDSU, Kent State and UNLV - like we did in '07. I highly doubt we will, but if we do - that will be a big disappointment factor for me.

IMO, anything less that 5 wins would be a big blow to the FB program. 5-6 would hold most fans interest, especially if half or more of those come at home. 7 would get people excited and 8+ would be nothing short of fantastic.

As of now, I'm between 5-7 and 6-6.

**bmuff** · 06-18-2008, 09:19 AM

Here's how I see it:

QB: Lots of potential, not much experience. I think that they'll call more QB runs this year, as well as short passes and screens to get the QBs settled down.
RB: I think that they're set here. ARob is a nice back...great speed. Bass and Scales offer two different styles. I look for the three of them to combine for 1500-1700 yards.
WR: The key question is if they can get open without Blythe drawing double coverage. Do either of the deep threats (Franklin or Carlson) step up? We know that Sumrall and Hamilton are good players.
TE: I just don't know how this one will go. Catlett would be OK here, but he played HB last fall. I think that Franklin can catch and move, but he is still too skinny to block. Who is the blocking TE?
OL: This position should continue to improve. I love the group that McFarland is putting together. Tons of depth and good competition. I think that we should be able to run on most teams on the schedule and pass protect OK.

DE: Good players, good depth. So far, there's not that pure pass rushing beast though. Maybe Lyle is that guy.
DT/NG: There's a legit 3 deep at these positions. The problem is that they'll need it because most of the guys are undersized and none so far have stepped up and really claimed a spot.
LB: Smith is solid. Bibbs and Garrin/Raven should be OK. Still, a major step down from Bowen.
CB: I like Bell and Singleton. McDowell should be decent. Not sure what Sandvig is doing here. Recruits look great.
S: Safety play was better last year than any time since Paris and Moser left. It should continue to improve. I like Smith and Brown has his moments. I figured they'd go JUCO here, because they lack a real difference maker.

P: Brandtner should continue to improve.
K: I think that they got two good kickers. My only reservation is how they perform under the lights. Hopefully neither are headcases.

I've been saying 5-7 with an outside shot at 6-6 for awhile and I'll stick with that.

**Palmer** · 06-18-2008, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

My big key is we simply can't look inept against SDSU, Kent State and UNLV - like we did in '07. I highly doubt we will, but if we do - that will be a big disappointment factor for me.

IMO, anything less that 5 wins would be a big blow to the FB program. 5-6 would hold most fans interest, especially if half or more of those come at home. 7 would get people excited and 8+ would be nothing short of fantastic.

As of now, I'm between 5-7 and 6-6.

I agree with this.

We have to get out to a fast start.