Can we go 3-1 in non conference?

**cycloneML** · 08-21-2010, 07:54 AM

Seems that if we beat the Huskies, Panthers, and Utes we would be in good shape.

**HFCS** · 08-21-2010, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneML

Seems that if we beat the Huskies, Panthers, and Utes we would be in good shape.

We can go 3-1, 2-2, or 1-3. None will surprise me at all. 4-0 or 0-4 would shock me obviously.

I look at our recent history against Iowa, and then look at our history against ranked teams in general. Beating Iowa seems just as likely as Utah.

Utah is better than Iowa offensively, they've kind of been my second favorite team over the years since they had two seasons where they were 25-0, blew out every team but one and still weren't allowed to sniff a National Championship. Their quarterback Wynn may be the best or second best QB we face all season. Our D will need to create some turnovers to keep their offensive #s down.

That said, I don't think their talent overall is not greatly different than ours save a few key players. They are very organized and disciplined. If we come out at home with the place rocking it could happen.

**driegner** · 08-21-2010, 08:08 AM

Pretty good shape? 3-1 would be a fantastic start! I think we all agree that 2-2 wouldn't be horrible, but 3-1 or 4-0 could bo an unbelievable indicator of things to come.

Also, having the Utah game moved later helps us. I think we can beat Northern Illinois, UNI, K-State and T-tech. Going into the Utah game we could conceivably be 4-1, with only a close loss to Iowa. An upset in the Utah game would put as at 5-1.

5-1 would be amazing. I think we can all agree.

**BEACHBUM** · 08-21-2010, 08:16 AM

Pretty good shape? 3-1 would be a fantastic start! I think we all agree that 2-2 wouldn't be horrible, but 3-1 or 4-0 could bo an unbelievable indicator of things to come.

this

**pulse** · 08-21-2010, 08:23 AM

I disagree. 4-0 would be a great start, 3-1 would be a good start, and 2-2 would be a bad start.

**hawkfan** · 08-21-2010, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by pulse

I disagree. 4-0 would be a great start, 3-1 would be a good start, and 2-2 would be a bad start.

So, just winning games your favored in would be a bad start? That seems kind of odd.

ISU will be a dog to both Iowa and Utah....and upset of either would be HUGE for the program....losing to both should be expected (by the fan base, not the team obviously) considering that Utah will be a top 25 team and Iowa will be a top 10 team.

**cyclonenate** · 08-21-2010, 08:35 AM

if we end up 6-6, what would be more impressive?
3-1 non conf 3-5 in
or
2-2 non conf 4-4 in

**pulse** · 08-21-2010, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by hawkfan

So, just winning games your favored in would be a bad start? That seems kind of odd.

ISU will be a dog to both Iowa and Utah....and upset of either would be HUGE for the program....losing to both should be expected (by the fan base, not the team obviously) considering that Utah will be a top 25 team and Iowa will be a top 10 team.

Says the hawk fan, "losing should be expected". Neither win would be HUGE (as you put it).

**HFCS** · 08-21-2010, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenate

if we end up 6-6, what would be more impressive?
3-1 non conf 3-5 in
or
2-2 non conf 4-4 in

2-2 and 4-4 we could beat 6 unranked teams and lose to 6 ranked teams.

3-1 and 3-5 we beat at least one ranked team but probably lose to an unranked team althouh still possible to have 5 losses to ranked teams in the Big 12 (Texas, OU, Neb, OSU, Mizzou if they sneak in).

**istater7** · 08-21-2010, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by HFCS

2-2 and 4-4 we could beat 6 unranked teams and lose to 6 ranked teams.

3-1 and 3-5 we beat at least one ranked team but probably lose to an unranked team althouh still possible to have 5 losses to ranked teams in the Big 12 (Texas, OU, Neb, OSU, Mizzou if they sneak in).

we dont play OSU this year

**CycloneErik** · 08-21-2010, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by driegner

Pretty good shape? 3-1 would be a fantastic start! I think we all agree that 2-2 wouldn't be horrible, but 3-1 or 4-0 could bo an unbelievable indicator of things to come.

Also, having the Utah game moved later helps us. I think we can beat Northern Illinois, UNI, K-State and T-tech. Going into the Utah game we could conceivably be 4-1, with only a close loss to Iowa. An upset in the Utah game would put as at 5-1.

5-1 would be amazing. I think we can all agree.

5-1 and this board will be a great place.

I would (maybe will

) love going into every game knowing that it could be the win that makes us bowl-eligible (and bowl-likely)

**nileo** · 08-21-2010, 10:05 AM

3-1 best case scenerio. 1-3 worst case. I don't think we can go 4-0. And I think there is no way we can go 0-4.

**jsmith86** · 08-21-2010, 10:11 AM

NIU and UNI are must wins. Utah and UI are tossups. If we win either of those, great. If we win both, we are set and should be able to find 2 more wins in conference to make us eligible. For me, it all comes down to a few things.

1. Iowa- to have a chance at this one, we need to hit NIU coming off the bus. We also will need some touchdowns this time.

2. KSU. This is another must win. Last year was an embarrassment. They should not have won. We need to be out for revenge this year.

3. UNI. No reason they should even think they can win when they come to Ames, especially this early in the season when the Jack should be packed with our fans. We don't just need to win this one, we need to show them what a FBS team looks like.

4. Utah. The key word for this one is momentum. Best case (as in absolute best case) scenario, we come into this one going 5-0. If this happens we pour on the steam, hope for a tornado and come out swinging. Second best case, we come off a 3 game win streak. In this case we should be 4-1 and we will need this win to put us in a position of fighting for a bowl game later in the year. Other case, we come off a loss to tech. If this happens, we still need to win this one because wins will be few and far between for the next couple weeks while we are at OU and UT.

**Erik4Cy** · 08-21-2010, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by hawkfan

So, just winning games your favored in would be a bad start? That seems kind of odd.

ISU will be a dog to both Iowa and Utah....and upset of either would be HUGE for the program....losing to both should be expected (by the fan base, not the team obviously) considering that Utah will be a top 25 team and Iowa will be a top 10 team.

Winning is now expected at Iowa State, in fb that prolly wasn't true 15 years ago, but I have to disagree that Iowa or Utah wins would be HUGE for Iowa State. Beating Texas or Oklahoma would be HUGE. Iowa or Utah, ISU may not be favored but I doubt anyone would be shocked if ISU won one or both those. I actually agree with the thought process of 4-0 great, 3-1 good, 2-2 bad start. With how good the big 12 is, ISU HAS to start strong to have the bowl hopes alive and well all season. It's hard not to find at least 2 more wins when starting 4-0, 3-1 and you're still in good shape. 2-2 you can still turn it around, but things can get dicey. ISU just needs to completely eliminate the 1-3 or 0-4 nonconf. I think Paul Rhoads and every player knows that's inexcusable.

**MLawrence** · 08-21-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Erik4Cy

Winning is now expected at Iowa State, in fb that prolly wasn't true 15 years ago, but I have to disagree that Iowa or Utah wins would be HUGE for Iowa State.

We might not think so but the rest of the nation will. These wins would be big and critical for a program that is trying build itself up. Until the Cyclones start winning on a regular basis every win should be cherished not matter how insignificant it seems.