In your opinion, what will make or break this team from having a great season?

[Together2813]

I'm going to put the pressure on the D-Line. If we don't have any pressure on the opposing QB, the defensive backs are going to get lit up. If the QB's get 5 seconds to find an open reciever, we will all be disappointed at the final results.

Of course, if we have some good blitz packages, that will also help the weakness of the DL.

[cyfan964]

I think it all comes down to how good the other teams are ;).

Honestly it all comes down to our DL/Linebackers. If we can get any sort of pressure on the offense, we should be in good shape.

[Aclone]

#1. Everyone worrying about what will go wrong.

[d4nim4l]

DLine first. Linebackers a close second.

[KMAC_ATTACK]

I'm going to put the pressure on the D-Line. If we don't have any pressure on the opposing QB, the defensive backs are going to get lit up. If the QB's get 5 seconds to find an open reciever, we will all be disappointed at the final results.

Of course, if we have some good blitz packages, that will also help the weakness of the DL.

Saw a great quote from Nate Frere....he said last year the system was set up as the Dline was assigned a gap and they were to control 2 gap thus controlling two lineman and allowing the linebackers to make plays. Problem with that is our linebackers were not playmakers......and banks and bowen were not the same type of players as Chizzle had at Texas......

Burnhams design is specifically targetting an attacking line. This puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers, because they will have big uglies being shed by the DL and penetrating....

This should cause two things:
1. Early penetration.
2. More Interceptions with early reads and early throws.

I'm not saying our defensive problems are solved, but, with Frere's comments, i think our line will get a lot more pressure and thus more mistakes either offensively or defensively. With our defensive backfield i will take my chances.

This defense is going to surprise...thats all i'm gonna say!!!!

[jdoggivjc]

One word - Defense.

[clone4lyfe]

On O it will be protecting Arnaud and making holes for the running game

On D it will be about putting pressure on the QB and making solid open field tackles

[brother bob]

I believe that it will all come down to coaching and how this staff will have these young men ready to play each game as well as the halftime adjustments! The past two years' staff didn't do nearly enough to prepare (in my opinion) these athletes before or during a game. This will be vital!

Of course the DL/LB corps will also be tested from what I'm watching on cyclones.com and must step up and perform to their abilities.

[Aclone]

Fine then.

Adequate work from the offenisve line, and the defense has to at least be able to slow people down. Doesn't have to dominate, just give the offense a breather here and again.

[jmb]

I think we are still a few athletes away from competing at the mid-higher levels of the b12. On both sides we need some suprise contributions all year. I don't think it is going to be one player every week as the talent pool relativley speaking isn't there-yet.

[Cydkar]

I'm going to put the pressure on the D-Line. If we don't have any pressure on the opposing QB, the defensive backs are going to get lit up. If the QB's get 5 seconds to find an open reciever, we will all be disappointed at the final results.

Of course, if we have some good blitz packages, that will also help the weakness of the DL.

IO don't think ISU will have a great season. We need a very good performance from the front 7 to get 5 wins.

[Stormin]

I think the play of both lines and the linebackers. We need to avoid serious injuries also. We just do not have the luxury of being real deep at any position. We have some decent talent. It will all come down to fundamentals and execution. And I think our new coaching staff will be worth at least one win this year. Win the games we should, go .500 in the tossups, and maybe steal one we shouldn't and we will have a decent year IMO.

[clones_jer]

Wins or Losses is my guess.

[isuno1fan]

Wins or Losses is my guess.

Bingo

[Aclone]

I don't think ISU will have a great season. We need a very good performance from the front 7 to get 5 wins.

Point. Perhaps someone should define "great" first. To me, a great season would be 10 wins, and however much koolaid I drink (or am accused of drinking), I really don't see that as being within this team's grasp.