Howdy Cyclones (An Aggie breaking down the Aggies)

[bosco]

Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I'm more concerned about this game then I was before the Nebraska game.

Statistically A&M is significantly better than we are on offense and we are slightly better than them on defense. Defensively we seem to have a problem against good mobile QB's. Even Nebraska's offense drove on us a few times before turning it over.

We are going to have to do some long clock burning drives that end up in points and whenever the defense is able to make a stop to capitalize on them and not go three and out right away. I think this will end up like the KU game where we'll need to score on the our last possession to win.

[shaunvon09]

I think this guy is just full of crap and is just trying to be nice. He doesn't even care about Iowa State.

[TexAg2012]

The Texas A&M cyclonefanatic site would be www.texags.com

I'm a regular over there, most are pretty even keel. the football board (the free one) is pretty wild sometimes. It is the largest college message board that I know of, plus it has some great threads to laugh at. As for the Aggie0579 or whatever his handle was, he is most likely a troll. I don't recognize the handle and if he doesn't have an Ag tag (little maroon oval with Ag in it) he is prolly a poor troll. I've been a paying member there for a long time and that handle is new to me.

[TxAg73]

I don't waste time on the interwebs to blow smoke up Iowa State fan's *****, I waste time b/c work is boooooooooooooring.

[TexAg2012]

I don't own a restaurant, I'm a current student (I have watched more football than should be allowed by law however).

As for the band, to each his own, but I'm going to throw this out there. I marched in a darn good band in high school, and I have friends in the Aggie band right now. There drill is not easy, it is precision marching. They do a new show each and every week and only practice for an hour or so in the morning. They do manuevers that are impossible according to computers and are on of the better college bands, and I've seen a vast majority, either in person or their show on video.

If you haven't seen them in person, you won't get the experience, the fans truly love them. As we say here, They are the pulse of Aggieland.

[atlantacyclone]

Well, at least there seems to be one classy A&M fan, we'll see how the reception is down there.

[basketball13]

My thoughts, in order of importance. Note this is only off the small amount of tape I've seen of the Cyclones and what I've read through out the year, mainly the past week or so

Trenches - Edge ISU
--We're small on both lines, and still finding our identity on the offensive line. Only edge for A&M has to be Von Miller, guy has obliterated everyone put in front oh him not named Russell Okung. A&M was manhandled by Arkansas and KSU, hope for more of the same if you're a Cyclone fan.
Experience - Edge ISU
--Cleary A&M is very young and everyone knows it, I believe we've played 17 true freshman this year, with the addition of a new punter last Saturday. Iowa State seems to be much more seasoned which is clearly a big edge in conference road game. Been there, done that, esp. this year in a big game in Lincoln.
Turnovers - Edge ISU
--LOL no comment necessary except that A&M is still +3 in turnover margin despite losing that battle 5-0 against KState.
Quarterback - Push (if Arnuad can go, otherwise huge Edge in A&M's corner)
--Could talk all day about both of these guys. Two really good QB's for both teams, each are dual-threats, yet Arnaud appears to utilize more designed runs while the majority of Jerrod's are draw-reads or scrambles. Passing edge would seemingly go to Jerrod, but looking at last year's game, these two played to a virtual push. Obviously health is a big concern here, if Arnaud is unable to go, ISU could become too one-dimensional on offense.
Home Field - Edge A&M
--Saddens me to put this at #5, but we're having trouble selling-out games (i.e. haven't) and even w/ a big win last week I don't expect Kyle Field to be as crazy as it should be.
Defense - Edge ISU
--Clear edge here, at least in points scored in your Big12 bouts, however, you do seem to be a bit of a bend-don't-break defense, as every team has put up more than 350yards and it seems turnovers have made a big impact in every game. The Kansas game is telling, a similarly potent offense like A&M and you only caused 1 turnover, resulted in giving up 41pts and a tough L. A&M defense has a few excellent players, surrounded by a bunch of mistake-prone, tackle-missing, inexperienced athletes. ISU's style has been seen before in the likes of USU, OSU, and KSU, and A&M allowed 30+ in all of those.
Special Teams - Edge ISU
--A&M has big trouble on kick-coverage, and averaging under 40yd/punt doesn't help either. Haven't seen much from ISU other than the fake punt, but I'm assuming you cannot be worse than A&M. I do understand you've had trouble w/ PATs and FG's, do not fear, we haven't come close to blocking a kick since Bucky Richardson was around.
RBs - Push (Assuming Robinson can go but isn't 100%)
--Our two semi-studs vs. your stud, if I had to give an edge it'd be to Robinson b/c of his superior line play. Gray is a bit more active out of the backfield than Robinson or Michael, which is a nice bonus.
WRs/TEs - Edge A&M
--Would assume, along w/ home field, that this is the easiest pick. EZ+Fuller+Jackson+McCoy+Tannehill combined for nearly 300yd receiving in last year's game, and both EZ and Jackson were attending their Winter formal. Sumrall is gone, ergo, I give A&M a big edge here.

I would agree with this assessment, but I would give Jerrod the edge at quarterback. I know that stats don't tell the whole story, but Arnaud has only had 2 games where he's thrown for over 200 yards and he has trouble throwing the deep ball. Jerrod has completed a 40 yard pass in every game so far, except against oklahoma state. I understand that he has a lot more attempts but just from what I've seen, I would give the edge at QB to A&M.

[RayShimley]

I remember when the A&M band came to Jack Trice in the mid-2000's. It was one of the few times I paid attention during half time, and I remember coming away fairly impressed. That said, I have no knowledge of the intricacies of marching band finery.

[TxAg73]

I would agree with this assessment, but I would give Jerrod the edge at quarterback. I know that stats don't tell the whole story, but Arnaud has only had 2 games where he's thrown for over 200 yards and he has trouble throwing the deep ball. Jerrod has completed a 40 yard pass in every game so far, except against oklahoma state. I understand that he has a lot more attempts but just from what I've seen, I would give the edge at QB to A&M.

I cannot argue with this, and I think Johnson is clearly better in a vacuum, I'm just a bit concerned w/ a dual-thread QB vs. our defense. Also, looking at the ISU v. KU boxscore, I think I grossly underestimated the disparity in WR talent. Briscoe+Meier combined for 32catches/328yards/4TD's. We have similar, if not a deeper-set of playmakers at WR/TE, therefore I probably underestimated the impact they'll have on Saturday. Finally, a pass-happy Kansas was able to play to a draw in the T.O.P battle. However, all things being said, ISU still had a chance to win the game on their final possession.

[millerforrest]

Hey TexAg2012? How can it be "God's Country" in Texas when isn't this HEAVEN? No? It's IOWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bubbahotep]

God's country is Southern Wisconsin. Everyone knows this.

[Wilber]

Thanks for the info. I've been to all of the ISU games at A&M, and it's always been a great experience (especially the last time). The fans there are great, and the atmosphere at the stadium is also great. You also might be able to watch OSU beat UT Saturday while drinking very cheap beer at the Dixie Chicken Saturday night.

[benjay]

If we can't pressure your qb, we will have a repeat of the Kansas game.

[dmclone]

I'm not feeling good about this game but I never do.

[Divided Sky]

well if you want us to get mad, insulting our band is probably the #1 way to do it