Positive Thoughts: 7 games left 'till Championship time
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind
I know that what turned a lot of people on to this website was all the positive talk so here is some hopefully positive and accurate talk about what happens the rest of the season. I thought we could have some fun analyzing the remaining schedule since the Big XII has so many unknowns right now.
(Note. Please accept my apologies for not being better at leaving my opinions for other places in the past.)
As we sit right now at 3-2 on the year, we are in a perfect position to regain momentum and win the North Division outright. How do we do it? Easy enough, let's explore...
Iowa State has with no question one of the toughest schedules of any team in the country this year but it may actually work to our advantage down the stretch. When looking at who we play where and when we play them, the toughest part of the schedule remaining stacks up pretty well to our advantage as we play in Ames for what will probably turn out to be the toughest games against North Division opponents.
10/7 - Nebraska
Arguably the toughest game remaining, possibly second behind Oklahoma the following week. While Nebraska enters the game as a ranked and rebuilding team,
ISU still holds a huge advantage of playing at home with what will most likely be another record crowd. If
ISU can play well on both sides of the ball for two solid halves, this game will be close but out of reach for the Huskers.
ISU needs to stop the 10-15 yard passing game of Nebraska first and foremost. If we do it well enough, this might not even be close.
Prediction:
ISU 27 - Nebraska 21
10/14 - at Oklahoma
This game is tough to analyze not only because of
ISU's unknowns, but also because Oklahoma doesn't seem to have played to their potential yet either. If Blythe has a big day and Stevie gets 100+,
ISU wins close. If
ISU struggles in almost any area, Oklahoma pulls out a W. While this game may be a loss, it doesn't matter in the big picture that much since Oklahoma is in the South Division. This is a winnable game but it's going to take a complete effort from everybody on the team to pull it out.
Prediction: Oklahoma 35 -
ISU 24
10/21 - Texas Tech
Another Big XII unknown, Tech will be playing in Ames with hopefully a hungry Cyclone squad ready to pounce early. This could end up being a high-scoring shoot out that I think
ISU wins in the end. While I don't think this will be a pretty game, I think
ISU stands a chance of pulling away by halftime and getting some much needed mental relief for the second half. Look for a running game by
ISU just because Tech will probably be able to handle Blythe pretty well. Stevie gets 130-140 in this game with two touchdowns.
Prediction:
ISU 35 - Texas Tech 19
10/28 - at Kansas State
ISU needs to come out of the gate strong and get an early lead. KState isn't a tough opponent this year but they are usually tough at home regardless. I think
ISU comes out of the gate slower than we would like and is down by 7 at half but comes back with a blazing second half to pull out a win. This will be a big passing day and Blythe gets two touchdowns for certain. This game could easily be
ISU's by 14-21 but I think they struggle for the first couple drives for some reason.
Prediction:
ISU 27 - KState 24
11/4 - Kansas
This will be a blowout, no question about it.
ISU enters this game having momentum from the somewhat close win at Kansas State and seals the deal early. The weather will be getting colder and so will the Jayhawks. I see the whole receiving crew having an amazing day as
ISU puts up it's biggest numbers of the season.
Prediction:
ISU 42 - Kansas 21
11/11 - at Colorado
This is always a tough opponent for some reason but this year is
ISU's year to shred the Buffs. I really believe that Colorado will be a big force in the conference in a couple of years but not this year by any stretch of the imagination. Look for the Clones to run the ball a lot this game and rack up some of the biggest rushing yards of the past few years. It sounds optimistic but I really don't see a lot of ways Colorado can defend us this year with all that we can throw at them.
Prediction:
ISU 45 - Colorado 17
11/18 - Missouri
Well, now this could be another situation where
ISU is playing for all the marbles. As I see it, the North will come down to
ISU, Missouri, and Nebraska. Who has the most complete package to get it done, obviously
ISU. Missouri has started strong but they've done it against some really week teams thus far. Knowing what
ISU has gone through the past two years in it's final game, this one ends up being decisive in our favor.
ISU has a complete game of running and passing with a very well balanced attack that just overpowers the Tigers in the end.
Prediction:
ISU 27 - Missouri 14
So there it is,
ISU wins the North and finally gets it's chance at Texas in the big game. Will
ISU have enough for the Horns in December? That's a question yet to be answered. What is clear though is that this title is still well in hand and
ISU has it's best chance yet to make it happen. While we have a lot of questions, I really think we can find the answers in the time needed.
Let's Go Clones!!
Positive Thoughts: 7 games left 'till Championship time 
Linear Mode
