Expectations for 2009

**ISUonthemove** · 12-21-2008, 05:52 PM

Anyone remember our defense from this year? It hasn't been that long. I hope our young guys that played so well step their game up even further and we have some red-shirted studs.

**djkent01** · 12-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by rahtotheames

If you are expecting more than 2 wins next year, you will be very disappointed. As I have already stated, prepare for years of disappointment, and the perpetual return of Iowa State Football to 90's form.

Aren't you the guy that was fired by Wal-Mart, still in high school, and guaranteed a win versus Kansas?

**djkent01** · 12-21-2008, 09:32 PM

I don't know what to expect for '09. If we have the right offensive scheme in place, ISU is going to be flat-out potent. At least between the 20's. Will our scheme, experience, and new players change what happens in the red zone and will we have game changing plays using the whole field?

I have no clue what's going to happen on defense, but IMO, if the D is improved enough on it's own to reduce opponents average score by 7 points a game, it changes everything. We'll see who's hired, who stays, what the scheme is, and what the new and returning players bring to the table.

And if game management is improved - which this is one thing I actually feel pretty good about - ASSUMING PR brings in experienced coordinators - that is a big game changer.

I'm going to take the optimist view and say we're bowling in '09. But I made the same very reasoned argument for '08. But I'm still going to be an optimist.

**Racer68** · 12-21-2008, 09:35 PM

I am not expecting anything...just hoping for signs of improvement over the chizdick years of disappointment...which I am very confident we will see. I would hope for a 5 win year...do in one year what Chizdick could only muster in two!

Go Cones!

**meohmycy** · 12-22-2008, 12:42 AM

New coach and a new system. Some of you need to lower your expectations a bit. Long term, this will be a good hire though.

**cyclonepower** · 12-22-2008, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by meohmycy

New coach and a new system. Some of you need to lower your expectations a bit. Long term, this will be a good hire though.

I agree 3-4 wins would be nice

**jaretac** · 12-22-2008, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by TheCity

We were told that coach will contact Money this week, he's excited.

Maybe you can answer this for me TheCity. As we all know the recruiting dead period started on Sunday, can the coaches contact recruits that have verbally committed or is Money under different rules since he is a JUCO transfer?

**Cyclonick182** · 12-22-2008, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by djkent01

Aren't you the guy that was fired by Wal-Mart, still in high school, and guaranteed a win versus Kansas?

And had a "source" that said gameday would be in Ames. All in all, this guy isnt hardly worth acknowledging.

**tazclone** · 12-22-2008, 07:39 AM

1) We don't know for sure which players will be here or not.
2) We have no idea who assistants will be
3) We have no idea which recruits will stay committed and who else we might pick up.
4) We don't know what kind of offense or defense we will run.

Not sure how you can predict anything with all the unknowns.

**tazclone** · 12-22-2008, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by jaretac

Maybe you can answer this for me TheCity. As we all know the recruiting dead period started on Sunday, can the coaches contact recruits that have verbally committed or is Money under different rules since he is a JUCO transfer?

I believe in the "dead period" they can contact the recruits 1 tim e per week. And recruits can call as much as they want.

http://recruiting-101.com/the-recrui...eriod-is-here/

**CycloneErik** · 12-22-2008, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Broodwich

A season above .500. Barring an exodus of talent, I think everything is in place for a winning season next year. Weak pre-conference schedule, and an easier conference schedule.

I think thinks are teed up well for Rhoads to succeed next year. And I would encourage everyone to have high-expectations for our new coach. I really like this hire. I have an immense amount of respect for Pollard after this week. This new coaching hire also has my unquestioning support. However it is time that we as a fanbase begin to expect wins out of highly-paid professionals.

Yup!

Besides, he has high expectations. Why shouldn't we?

**Melvin** · 12-22-2008, 08:00 AM

I just want to see Improvement:

a) Have the Offense make Big Plays when they have to, not when they are down by 21 points.
b) Have the Defense stop someone on 3rd Down. We were the worst 3rd Down team in the Country.
c) Reduce the number of Blow Coverages.

**RyCy04** · 12-22-2008, 08:15 AM

15 wins this season (FYI... I guessed 3 too many this past season, so I am hoping for the same outcome this year)

**ISUFan22** · 12-22-2008, 11:05 AM

The only team on our '09 schedule that we beat in '08...Kent State

The only teams on our '09 schedule that did not beat us in '08... NDSU & Army (did not play them in '08).

I see people giving us a win over Baylor. IMO, that'll be a rather tough game.

Can't make rational predictions until we know who the staff will be and even then - at least until we see the guys in the spring.

**cyingreen** · 12-22-2008, 11:44 AM

It's genuinely hard to see how we could be worse defensively than we were last year. The offense should be stronger with possible more success running the ball. And we don't face the cream of the Big XII South. Still, every time you change a coaching staff there's transitional problems that seem to be worked out only after real competition. Practices don't do it. I"d love to be bowl optimistic, but think I'll settle for seeing fundamental improvement. Then see where that leads us. Don't you love seeing a coach get choked up about coming back to ISU? Coach Rhoads will get a lot of slack from me just on that sentiment.