What's the bare minimum score you'll walk away happy with?

**clonedude** · 09-02-2009, 08:03 PM

I'll never forget the year (2003) we played UNI for our first game and we were pretty heavily favored. UNI played very well and the entire game was tight. ISU ended up kicking a FG to take a 17-10 lead late in the game and barely held on to win as UNI was driving, but threw an INT with under a minute left.

I remember not seeing one single happy ISU fan that night as we left the stadium. Some students walking by me were commenting how awful we looked and that we'd be lucky to win another game. And guess what.. we only won one more that year to finish with 2 wins. Everyone saw the writing on the wall that night. Everyone knew it was going to be a long year.

So the question becomes.... what is the minimum score you'd like to see tomorrow night to walk away feeling good about the rest of the year?

I'm looking at it this way.... let's assume that both teams get 10 possessions tomorrow night. At a minimum, I want to see ISU put points on the board in 6 of those 10 possessions. And the most I'd want to see NDSU score on would be 4 of 10 possessions. Of ISU's 6 scores, I want to see a minimum of 3 TDs and 3 FGs. For NDSU, I'd like to see only 2 TDs and 2 FGs on their four scoring drives.

That would make it ISU 30 and NDSU 20 for the final score. So I guess I would accept ISU scoring at least 30 or more points and NDSU being held to 20 points or less.

Now... don't get me wrong... I wouldn't be thrilled with a 30-20 score, but it would at least keep my hopes alive that we could maybe win 4 or 5 games this year. With a whole new system again and new coaches I think we will see quite a bit of rust on both offense and defense. I think it's unrealistic to expect this team to put 7 TDs on the board for example. I also think it's unrealistic to expect our suspect defense to not give up some points as well, but I hope it's more of the 3 point variety instead of the 7 point variety on their drives. If our defense can be a "bend but not break defense" and allow FGs instead of TDs, I think our offense can outscore some people.

So what is everyone's idea about what is the bare minimum score you'd like to see tomorrow night to make you walk away with at least a glimmer of hope? Would you be happy with a 17-14 win? I hope not. It wouldn't be a good sign IMO.

**CTAClone** · 09-02-2009, 08:07 PM

I want a W. If it's 2-0 I'll be happy.

**gocubs2118** · 09-02-2009, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by CTAClone

I want a W. If it's 2-0 I'll be happy.

This.

/thread

**cymonat** · 09-02-2009, 08:08 PM

After all the hype about our offense, the bare minimum I'd be happy with is 27.

**ISUonthemove** · 09-02-2009, 08:09 PM

My first answer would be 2.

My second answer would be 42

**clonedude** · 09-02-2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by CTAClone

I want a W. If it's 2-0 I'll be happy.

If you'll be happy with a 2-0 win... then you've sure got low expectations. I guarantee you right now that if we win 2-0 tomorrow night, we will go 2-10. We will beat NDSU and maybe Army... and that will be it. Mark it down.

And if you're happy with a 2-10 season, then I guess Pollard and Rhoads will never have anything to worry about when it comes to losing their jobs.

**Drive4cy** · 09-02-2009, 08:13 PM

NDSU is dangerous. I just want a win.

**CB21** · 09-02-2009, 08:13 PM

I would like to see at least 42 points.

**Arkansas** · 09-02-2009, 08:15 PM

score 35 minimum (as long as they score 7 or less)

**ISUKyro** · 09-02-2009, 08:16 PM

28 or at least 1 TD a 1/4

**jbclone10** · 09-02-2009, 08:16 PM

I want to see mid thirties.

**bellzisu** · 09-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Drive4cy

NDSU is dangerous. I just want a win.

If they are dangerous this will be a long long season..

They have a new offensive and defensive cordinators. Return only 10 starters. No recievers coming back with more then 9 catches last year. Quarterback is not that great. Also, 22 less scholarship players.

Yup... I'm scared too.. This will be a long season then.

At least 42 points also or winning by 3 TDs

**CB21** · 09-02-2009, 08:16 PM

I would rather have a 31-6 win than a 42-28 win though. Even though they're both W's of course.

**TheCaptain** · 09-02-2009, 08:24 PM

If we dont win by at least 20....I'll know not to get my hopes up.

**AirWalke** · 09-02-2009, 08:24 PM

I'll be happy with a score that never left the fate of the game in question. If it's the middle of the 3rd and we're still only leading by a touchdown, time to worry.