Convince me we are going to be better this year

[CyFanInChiLand]

I'm looking at the team/schedule, and I just don't see how we are going to be all that much better this year. It appears that most people are basing our success on a bunch of unknowns. Most of my friends keep telling me how much better our coaching staff is. How do we really know that? I was told that when GC was hired, and that didn't turn out so well. I keep hearing how some new players will make an immediate impact, but I've seen that game play out far to many times with those players making much less than a huge impact like I was led to believe. So, taking out the unkowns, explain to me where the improvement is coming from?

[BooneCy]

If you are looking for cliff notes to convince someone else, then there are plenty of threads about that.

If you are personally trying to be convinced, and you aren't by now, then there is nothing I can say that will convince you.

[cyclonepower]

we wont know anything about this team until a few games into the season...people how are making predictions are just bored because there is nothing else to talk about

[CyDude16]

If you are looking for cliff notes to convince someone else, then there are plenty of threads about that.

If you are personally trying to be convinced, and you aren't by now, then there is nothing I can say that will convince you.

This.

On a sidenote, we chould have 3-4 more wins last year with a decent game day staff. Assuming we don't improve that much, but the coaching staff is somewhat improved then we win those 3-4 close games.

[Clonebydesign]

we will...does that feel good?

[CyFanInChiLand]

I just don't see where you can count on a large improvement from this team unless you are making huge assumptions regarding coaching/new players.

That is if you take off your cardinal and gold colored glasses. Don't get me wrong, if we start out 3-0/4-0, I'm going to be convinced as some of those assumptions will then be fact, but till then I don't see why everyone has such a rosy outlook on the season.

[egami]

we wont know anything about this team until a few games into the season...people how are making predictions are just bored because there is nothing else to talk about

This.

At the end of the day, haters or homers, it's largely speculative.

If you want my outside, non-vested opinion, I believe that based on what I've heard from Rhoads in interviews that he's going to have a team playing smarter football. I like assistant hires better than Chizek's, but still...that's speculation.

I would be "cautiously optimistic" though. I don't know if the record will be better, but I see ISU winning 4-6 games and if they can do that with a change in staff and the current lack of defensive talent I think you're on track.

[Clonebydesign]

things cant get much worse, can they?

[cymonson]

i can say 9 returning offense starters with a new spread offense which will be tough to learn but will put up alot of pts. (its the spread for crying out loud we better score alot). and 7 returning defense starters from a terrible defense last year but a new DC with experience. we have a decent chance to start the season 5-0 but more likely 4-1 but possibly 2-3. i think we can win at least 4 games which is an improvement from last yr. thats all the convincing i can do and reading over it now, i didnt even convince myself.

[CarolinaCy]

Even if the team doesn't improve at all, we could still be looking at 4-5 wins minimum. Last year's team had chances to win against KU, UNLV, KSU, CU, and Iowa.

I know the saying, "you are what your record says you are", but we shouldn't have been a 2-10 team last year. If they had cashed in on 3 of those games (say KU, CU, and UNLV) and finished 5-7, how would you feel about those predicting 6-7 wins and bowl game?

[clone4lyfe]

Not sure how you're comparing this coaching staff to Chiziks. I can see maybe comparing head coaching experience. But we have two proven coordinators that have pretty successful at a high D1 level where they were at before here and one that's been around successful program for more years than some of his players have even been alive. You can't say that about either the OC or DC under Chizik. I think those two guys alone will bring this team more success than last year. Other than that we have many players who were in their first year of playing and starting at this level so that experience will help a little also. I'm not saying those things alone are worth 6-7 more wins but i think they are at least worth 4-5 more wins.

[arganbright2]

Well we can't be any worse than last year!!! Seems like every highlight they show of Big 12 teams there is an ISU player chasing after them.

I expect the defense to improve a fair amount and the offense to take a step back actually. All of our weapons on offense are in place but it took two years for it to be successful at Rice under Herman. They pretty much have/had the same personnel as us (minus a freak TE like Casey). On Defense, simple techniques/fundamentals are going to go a long way to help the team improve. If Roosevelt Maggitt plays half as good during the season as he did in the spring game, it could be a great thing for the team. I actually like the play making ability in the secondary---LJ, J. Smith, Benton, Bell, McDowell, Sims. I expect the pass defense to drop considerably.

[swarthmoreCY]

things cant get much worse, can they?

I am not sure...let me call Tyrone.

[Cystate22]

The one thing that should make you feel better about this season is the new Offensive and Defensive cordinators that Paul brought in. That will make the most difference in how the team plays. Chizik brought in 2 guys that were not qualified, and Paul has brought in 2 guys that have a good track record. Also, Paul cares for our players and will get them to run through walls for him, because the players will know that he truly cares about them.

[DaddyMac]

We're going to be better. We're going to be better. You're getting sleepy. We're going to be better. Your eyes are heavy. Give DaddyMac your wallet. We're going to be better. We're going to be better.