Is ISU Poised for a Big Step Up in 2009?

**Al_4_State** · 03-17-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by CYCLNST8

How bout this:

If Rhoads gets Iowa State to a bowl game this fall, does he win Big XII Coach of the Year honors???

Unless Baylor wins the south, or something crazy like that, yes. Mac won in '04 after we went bowling following the 2003 nightmare.

**CYCLNST8** · 03-17-2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

Unless Baylor wins the south, or something crazy like that, yes. Mac won in '04 after we went bowling following the 2003 nightmare.

I'm glad you bring up 2004. Goes to show what wonders a favorable schedule & strong senior leadership can do for a squad. Is there anyone on this team that compares favorably to an Ellis Hobbs?

**d4nim4l** · 03-17-2009, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by CYCLNST8

Is there anyone on this team that compares favorably to an Ellis Hobbs?

HA. No.

Some guys have the mouth, but not the talent to back it up.

**Bobber** · 03-17-2009, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by CYCLNST8

How bout this:

If Rhoads gets Iowa State to a bowl game this fall, does he win Big XII Coach of the Year honors???

Yeah I think that would be possible. If he takes us to a January Bowl he might make National Coach of the year.

**cycloneman003** · 03-17-2009, 10:51 AM

I think we are ready for a big step up this season....

first 5 games are all very winnable. i see a 4-1 start as an extremely real situation

**Al_4_State** · 03-17-2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by d4nim4l

HA. No.

Some guys have the mouth, but not the talent to back it up.

This, unfortunately, is true. Our best leader (Arnaud) is a junior, and on the other side of the ball. This year would be perfect for a guy like James Smith to live up to his potential, lay the mother ******* wood to somebody in the first game, and be a leader...

**cycloneman003** · 03-17-2009, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

This, unfortunately, is true. Our best leader (Arnaud) is a junior, and on the other side of the ball. This year would be perfect for a guy like James Smith to live up to his potential, lay the mother ******* wood to somebody in the first game, and be a leader...

I actually think Kennard Banks will fill this role. Remeber in the first half of the first game he had 2-3 HUGE hits, before he broke the wrist. he really looked like a big time hitter, and he wasnt quite back to form when he returned from injury. he will be a beast i think

**Al_4_State** · 03-17-2009, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneman003

I actually think Kennard Banks will fill this role. Remeber in the first half of the first game he had 2-3 HUGE hits, before he broke the wrist. he really looked like a big time hitter, and he wasnt quite back to form when he returned from injury. he will be a beast i think

I'm talking about senior leadership too. That was one EHIII's biggest contributions his last year (besides outstanding play). Smith is one of the few talented seniors, and while he isn't Ellis Hobbs material, we need a guy like that to step up.

**kingcy** · 03-17-2009, 01:32 PM

An Alvin Bowen type player would work also.

**d4nim4l** · 03-17-2009, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I'm talking about senior leadership too. That was one EHIII's biggest contributions his last year (besides outstanding play). Smith is one of the few talented seniors, and while he isn't Ellis Hobbs material, we need a guy like that to step up.

I'm with you on this. We need someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Right now, James Smith looks likes the best candidate for that.

LJ will get there in a year or two I think with Ash's coaching. He needs to be a great cover guy and start making the big plays first.

For what it's worth, big hits =/= big plays.

**CYCLNST8** · 03-17-2009, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by d4nim4l

I'm with you on this. We need someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Right now, James Smith looks likes the best candidate for that.

LJ will get there in a year or two I think with Ash's coaching. He needs to be a great cover guy and start making the big plays first.

For what it's worth, big hits =/= big plays.

Yeah, LJ reminds me a lot of Ellis. Nothing wrong with stepping up early to be a team leader either, IMO.

**Al_4_State** · 03-17-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by d4nim4l

I'm with you on this. We need someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Right now, James Smith looks likes the best candidate for that.

LJ will get there in a year or two I think with Ash's coaching. He needs to be a great cover guy and start making the big plays first.

For what it's worth, big hits =/= big plays.

He's also about the only candidate, too...

**ISUFB** · 03-18-2009, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by CloneIce

There is no reason we can't take a step up and make it back to a bowl. 6-6 is pretty mediocre and is not that hard. Heck we were just a handful of plays away from it last year.

We should have an excellent offense and pretty good special teams. Defense can't possibly be worse than last year, so it will either improve or be a wash.

6 or 7 wins is definitely possible! I like your thinking.

Yes 6-7 wins is a definate possibility. we should be immensly inproved. MIZZOU will be down. Kansas ehhh i don't know that game. We should start out 3-1 or 4-0

**weR138** · 03-18-2009, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneman003

I actually think Kennard Banks will fill this role. Remeber in the first half of the first game he had 2-3 HUGE hits, before he broke the wrist. he really looked like a big time hitter, and he wasnt quite back to form when he returned from injury. he will be a beast i think

I remember this well. I couldn't agree more about KB.

**Chris** · 03-18-2009, 05:43 PM

Yes! Tom Herman is the key hire towards biggers things for ISU football. Being from Houston, heard and saw his offense at Rice - if he gets it going at ISU it will be a step up and exciting (big plays): should translate into a lot of wins.