This is as good as I could feel about 2-3...

ISUclones33 · 10-05-2008, 02:19 PM

The team doesnt feel good about yesterdays loss, we blew a 20 point lead yesterday and that is completely un acceptable. The players know this, the coaches are red hot. Its going to be a good learning experience for this young team. Big 12 teams are not going to quit, a 20 point lead at halftime is not enough. We came out and cruised after halftime. Id almost rather be down 10 points at halftime with this team to be honest with you. we have played a good first half of football. we have played a good second half of football. Its now time to tie it together and see what we can pull out.

One thing id like to say, is Austen looks good most of the time, He is still locking on to recievers too much, but will learn. Im getting nervous about Phil, he wants to be on the field, needs to be on the field... he wants to be the guy at QB, but i see that slipping away from him. I dont think we will see him on the field in any other form however until over half way through the season, when our destiny is clearer.

Clonefan94 · 10-05-2008, 02:25 PM

Next week is the big teller for me. I really wasn't planning on a win over Kansas, but they sucked me in and had me believing at half time. I hate the way we lost that game. No matter how good some people feel, we gave up 35 points in the second half. Waaaaay too many, even to a good team. So, who shows up next week. 2nd half UNLV and 1st half Kansas Cyclones or the 1st have UNLV second half KU Cyclones. Seriously, if our D plays like they did the 2nd half against Kansas, it's going to be tough to beat anyone. I feel no more confident going into the rest of our schedule after I did after the UNLV game. Pretty much the way I've felt all year really. Don't get me wrong. I love this team and my expectations are still pretty high. I still believe though, as I've said before on this board. We have a lot of growing up to do as a team. We are pretty inexperienced. Unfortunately, it's losses like this that really build that experience. There is still a lot of work to do and experience to be gained. It's going to be a fun ride. I just hope the fans are willing to ride along.

I'd love to say same old Cyclones as I have heard a couple of times on here, but that's not what I see on the field. I see a great group of athletes with a lot of potential. They just need some time to grow into those positions. Seriously, no matter how we lost this game, this is not your typical Cyclone team of years past. The future looks really bright here. Heck, I believe the ESPN guys showing hi-lights of the game said things are looking good in Ames. This is shaping up to be a very good football team. We just need to learn how to play 2 halfs of football.

djkent01 · 10-05-2008, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

One thing id like to say, is Austen looks good most of the time, He is still locking on to recievers too much, but will learn. Im getting nervous about Phil, he wants to be on the field, needs to be on the field... he wants to be the guy at QB, but i see that slipping away from him. I dont think we will see him on the field in any other form however until over half way through the season, when our destiny is clearer.

I'm not close to the program as you are, but had similar thoughts yesterday. Clearly, the staff is going with Arnaud when it feels the game is on the line. During the game yesterday I found myself thinking that the only way we'll see Bates on the field is due to injury, the team has played itself out of bowl contention, or in mop up duty.

Is there truly that big of a gap between them or is the staff trying to develop a rythym, or ?????

ISUclones33 · 10-05-2008, 02:29 PM

Honestly Austen is just more poised right now.. Id like to see Bates get a start and see what he can do in a game, let him get his tempo first, but i dont see that happening.

djkent01 · 10-05-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

Honestly Austen is just more poised right now.. Id like to see Bates get a start and see what he can do in a game, let him get his tempo first, but i dont see that happening.

I would too. I would have bet at the start of the season that by this time Bates would be the starting QB. I'm not criticizing the staff because it has to do what it believes is right and best for the team. But I wouldn't blame Bates one bit for feeling that he never truly got the opportunity to win the job.

I've just always thought Bates has more upside relative to the way the coaches seem to want to develop this offense. Of course, just my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with Arnaud and he's developing and will be an excellent B12 QB.

Aclone · 10-05-2008, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by djkent01

I've just always thought Bates has more upside relative to the way the coaches seem to want to develop this offense. Of course, just my opinion.

On the other hand, some whispers seem to indicate that Jerome Tiller might just be even more of what the coaches want to develop in this offense.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with Arnaud and he's developing and will be an excellent B12 QB.

Heck, I'm willing to guess that AA might prove to be an excellent pro quarterback. But I certainly wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on him--he has a lot to learn, and a year and a half to go before anyone starts talking about that.

djkent01 · 10-05-2008, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

Heck, I'm willing to guess that AA might prove to be an excellent pro quarterback. But I certainly wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on him--he has a lot to learn, and a year and a half to go before anyone starts talking about that.

He's certainly got the physical attributes.

Tornado man · 10-05-2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

Next week is the big teller for me.

Me too. I expect wins this year against first-year coaches - Briles at Baylor,
Pelini at Nebraska, and Sherman at A/M. That's a good definition of progress for me.

ISUFan22 · 10-05-2008, 08:01 PM

Sorry, not feeling good here. Not feeling bad - but definitely not good.

We absolutely gave that game away yesterday. I knew KU would eventually score points - but I could call most of the plays that went to Meir (sp) from the stands. Pathetic.

And even with that, we had enough life at the end. I thought after we got the onside kick, we'd surely drive down and at worst have a shot at a FG. Had little doubt about it.

Then the drop. Then a horrid play. Then a so-so pass and drop. And then a ball that needed to be perfect that was a mere yard overthrown.

The dropped pass that was a sure 15+ yards set the tone.

Top to bottom, awesome first half and horrid 2nd half. Completely unexcusable and I hope everyone from Chizik to the equipment guys were up all night last night sick about it.

We should be 5-0 at this point and while no one really could have predicted that - that is where we should be.

vanillathrilla · 10-05-2008, 08:11 PM

Regarding Bates, he was given a fair shot and did not perform to the level that AA did. If Bates wants to see the field, switch positions because the team found their QB. He should do what he can to help the team, which will mean switching positions.