Griffin: 5 games to fear in the Big 12

**tejasclone** · 07-13-2009, 09:07 AM

I know we have rehashed the North Dakota St game elsewhere, but Griffin's Big 12 blog this morning named it a game to be afraid of:

Five games to fear in the Big 12 - Big 12 - ESPN

**cyfanatic** · 07-13-2009, 09:12 AM

I can understand where this writer is coming from. That said...seems strange of all the games in the Big XII season that this even draws attention? I believe it could be of huge importance pertaining to our season...but in the realm of the conference? Doesn't seem that big...

**clones_jer** · 07-13-2009, 09:20 AM

that is not a good read to start your week ... man, the bowl game expectations in that other thread would come to a screeching halt. Thankfully, we would still beat Iowa.

**d4nim4l** · 07-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Not surprising considering NDSU's recent history against lower level BCS teams in the region.

Two reasons we do not get upset though. One, experience throughout the whole team after last year. Two, Rhoads hired coordinators to win, not to hold up a promise he made to them years before like Chizik.

If we lose this it won't be because of inexperience, it will be because we were outgunned. Which would be even more disasterous...

**d4nim4l** · 07-13-2009, 09:28 AM

After reading the link I can see all of those games being potential landmines for each program.

Especially that Nevada vs Missouri game where Missouri will have mostly new offensive personnel.

**Stewo** · 07-13-2009, 09:31 AM

Yeah. Consider me worried. Aparently, NDSU will be the only squad fired up? How about a team with a new outlook? An offense that is looking to roll? A new head coach that actually cares about where he is? A crowd that will be BEYOND fired up? The fact that these guys are going to be coming into this season with a huge chip on their collective shoulder because of last seasons events?

I cannot wait until September 3rd to shut these fools up.

**TarHeelHawk** · 07-13-2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Stewo

Yeah. Consider me worried. Aparently, NDSU will be the only squad fired up? How about a team with a new outlook? An offense that is looking to roll? A new head coach that actually cares about where he is? A crowd that will be BEYOND fired up? The fact that these guys are going to be coming into this season with a huge chip on their collective shoulder because of last seasons events?

I cannot wait until September 3rd to shut these fools up.

It wasn't said specifically in the piece, but the pressure is all on Iowa State in that first game. NDSU won't have anything to lose, so they can throw caution to the wind.

I'm also wondering why in the hell Mizzou felt the need to schedule a game on a Friday night. Maybe high school football isn't important in Missouri.

**jdoggivjc** · 07-13-2009, 09:46 AM

My post to that diatribe:

If North Dakota State was remotely the same team that it was when it beat up on FCS programs such as Minnesota a few years back, I might be a little bit more concerned. But considering they're not, and they lost just about every offensive weapon of note since the end of last season (whether due to graduation, transfer, or being kicked off the team), and the fact they were handled by rival South Dakota State, which ISU handled with ease in Ames last year, well, let's just say as a Cyclone fan I'm more concerned about what the Army Black Knights might do to Iowa State than I am about what the Bison will do.

Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

It wasn't said specifically in the piece, but the pressure is all on Iowa State in that first game. NDSU won't have anything to lose, so they can throw caution to the wind.

I'm also wondering why in the hell Mizzou felt the need to schedule a game on a Friday night. Maybe high school football isn't important in Missouri.

You mean like how South Dakota State had nothing to lose when it came into Ames last year? And between the two teams, SDSU is the much better team.

Could we lose this game? Absolutely. But I think it's ridiculous to say that NDSU is automatically a landmine based on what they did 3-4 years ago when it's not even remotely the same team as it was then.

**CYKID** · 07-13-2009, 09:57 AM

cool ea sports ncaa 2010 banner on that link. It has you choose ISU or Iowa in a better team poll.

**TarHeelHawk** · 07-13-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

My post to that diatribe:

You mean like how South Dakota State had nothing to lose when it came into Ames last year? And between the two teams, SDSU is the much better team.

Could we lose this game? Absolutely. But I think it's ridiculous to say that NDSU is automatically a landmine based on what they did 3-4 years ago when it's not even remotely the same team as it was then.

They beat Minnesota in the dome 2 years ago. I expect Iowa State to win fairly easily. They'll make some mistakes, but NDSU probably isn't a good enough team to take advantage of those mistakes.

Still the pressure for this game is squarely on Iowa State, which is all I was trying to say.

**LindenCy** · 07-13-2009, 10:02 AM

Looking at the article just gets me excited about college football.

Why is there a Penn State banner ad?

**jdoggivjc** · 07-13-2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

They beat Minnesota in the dome 2 years ago. I expect Iowa State to win fairly easily. They'll make some mistakes, but NDSU probably isn't a good enough team to take advantage of those mistakes.

Still the pressure for this game is squarely on Iowa State, which is all I was trying to say.

Minnesota was so bad two years ago I think they were one of the few BCS teams WE would have been capable of beating that year (for clarification, that was the year that we beat K-State, Colorado, and of course, Iowa).

**Clark** · 07-13-2009, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Stewo

Yeah. Consider me worried. Aparently, NDSU will be the only squad fired up? How about a team with a new outlook? An offense that is looking to roll? A new head coach that actually cares about where he is? A crowd that will be BEYOND fired up? The fact that these guys are going to be coming into this season with a huge chip on their collective shoulder because of last seasons events?

I cannot wait until September 3rd to shut these fools up.

The crowd is going to be "beyond fired up" for NDSU? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

ISU should win because they're playing at home with better talent.

**Stewo** · 07-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Clark

The crowd is going to be "beyond fired up" for NDSU? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

ISU should win because they're playing at home with better talent.

Let's see here... First game of the season, new coaching staff that will bring an offense that should be electric to watch, new hope and on and on. Tell you what though, if you aren't going to be fired up, please stay the **** home. I don't want you there, that's for sure.

**CyDude16** · 07-13-2009, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Clark

The crowd is going to be "beyond fired up" for NDSU? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

ISU should win because they're playing at home with better talent.

So what we, as fans, can't get excited for another football season? I'm fired up for every game, theres nothing like football in the fall... i guess Iowa fans weren't so fired up for northwestern, or western michigan...