How much does 2006 mean to the direction of the football program?

ISUFan22 · 10-04-2006, 10:48 PM

This is a make or break year for many people/projects.

If ISU can do no better than 7-5...look for even more pressure to be put on D-Mac by fans and perhaps even Pollard. While I do support McCarney, I can’t say it would be unjust if we’re .500 or worse.

Also, if ISU can't produce, especially at home - look for season ticket sales to take a dip next year - even with the likes of Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma visiting Ames. While the home games have been closer than anyone would have liked, the games have been exciting to say the least. These types of games will definitely keep fans coming back for more, as long as W’s continue to get posted. If not, fan defections will likely ensue.

And even more importantly, being the JTS project is going to mostly be funded by boosters and fans - if ISU can't maintain the high level of excitement surrounding the football program...that project could be in serious jeopardy.

I said many times prior to the season that 2006 football is our important ever in the history of Cyclone football - including on the Cyclone Roundtable a few months ago. And it still rings true, if not more so now that we have not won in glowing fashion and dropped a game to Iowa we really should have won. A lot of pressure rides on this team - for 2006 and beyond.

Jeremy · 10-04-2006, 10:58 PM

I completely agree. While we always seem to say wait until next year, this really is our year in so many ways. I do not think that Mac will be gone at the end of the year barring any major losses or embarassments, however, I do think there will be some changes on the staff.

Good reed and hopefuly some constructive debating can take place.

PlymouthCy · 10-04-2006, 11:00 PM

I agree with the points you made, however I look at this and the 2007 season's that will define the direction of the program and how much time Mac has left in Ames. I am a huge supporter of Mac's and believe that he has done wonders for ISU. He now may become a victom of his own success. He needs to go to the Big XII title game this year or next. If he is unable to "take the next step" with the likes of Meyer and Blythe, I find it hard to believe that he ever will. Also with Texas and OU coming to Ames I believe that he will need to pick one of those teams off if he is going to keep the program moving. I don't believe that it is realistic to expect him to beat the likes of Texas and OU on the road this year, especially with the new players of defence. I would love to have Mac in Ames for many years to come, however with the new energy found in the athletic department, we can't get caught standing still or moving backwards. Expect that this team will "take the next step" by the end of next season.

Wesley · 10-04-2006, 11:52 PM

This is a make or break season because we blew it the last two years. No two ways about it.

This year we have not seen one complete game out of the team. Maybe if ABC had shown the fourth quarter against Terxas, but I think all would agree we have not seen the stellar game performance where the offense inspires the defense to do better.

The special teams look fragile. One good play, one bad play. Shaggy looks like our strongest component. Can we feel comfortable?

Todd is #3 in team receiving yardage at less than 50 yards per game. We have all our weapons intact on offense and we do less than we did last year.

We have a cool calm collected qb who does well under pressure if someone blocks for him. Yet we are always in the hole in the fourth quarter. Maybe the only way we are winning is because we practiced hard at winning in overtime - UNLV, Toledo, UNI, and Iowa games were or similar to overtime where you have to rewach back and do something special.

Then we realize that our defense has not scored on a turnover. We have two of the most prolific tacklers in the country but the tackles by front four are done. We apparaently only have two players who can sack a qb - Curvy and Parker. What happened to Frere and Morehead or are they waiting till next year.

What has caught our attention as fans is that we know we are better than this. Sagarin says Montana is a better team!

Time to put up or shut up. NO TOMORROW full of excyuses. We are ready for that stellar effort now.

Bobber · 10-05-2006, 12:07 AM

Heck every year is important. This one isn't any different than any other, just a tougher schedule.

Mac can walk away today and he's not going owe ISU a thing. He's made a respectable program out of absolutely nothing. Our facilities are light years ahead of what they were when he came here, and we wouldn't even be talking about expanding seating if he hadn't produced the success he has.

Could we be doing better? Perhaps. Could this year be ugly? Sure. But a programs success should not just be judged on one or two years or even three years of performance. We need to think long term. I read that the great John Wooden at UCLA took 17 years to finally get a good enough team to make it to the National Championship(and he only had to recruit 10 or 12 players tops).

As long as Coach Mac keeps getting people in the stands, I don't think he should have anything to worry about.

jdoggivjc · 10-05-2006, 12:38 AM

he might have to worry about fans throwing things at him from the stands if the conservative play calling continues.

CTAClone · 10-05-2006, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Bobber

Heck every year is important. This one isn't any different than any other, just a tougher schedule.

Mac can walk away today and he's not going owe ISU a thing. He's made a respectable program out of absolutely nothing. Our facilities are light years ahead of what they were when he came here, and we wouldn't even be talking about expanding seating if he hadn't produced the success he has.

Could we be doing better? Perhaps. Could this year be ugly? Sure. But a programs success should not just be judged on one or two years or even three years of performance. We need to think long term. I read that the great John Wooden at UCLA took 17 years to finally get a good enough team to make it to the National Championship(and he only had to recruit 10 or 12 players tops).

As long as Coach Mac keeps getting people in the stands, I don't think he should have anything to worry about.

Two years ago, after failing to make the Big 12 championship game is when I started thinking about D-Mac leaving. Last year made it even more apparent that a change may need to happen. This year I'm still thinking we need new blood. I'm hoping things turnaround and I do think one more year with D-Mac wouldn't be a bad idea. But if we can't get to the Championship game this year or the next, I think it is time to make a change.

Wesley · 10-05-2006, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by CTAClone

Two years ago, after failing to make the Big 12 championship game is when I started thinking about D-Mac leaving. Last year made it even more apparent that a change may need to happen. This year I'm still thinking we need new blood. I'm hoping things turnaround and I do think one more year with D-Mac wouldn't be a bad idea. But if we can't get to the Championship game this year or the next, I think it is time to make a change.

Viewing from the JP viewpoint which is results oriented, if McDermott gets off to a good start and McC continues to go through the four year cycle 2004-07 without winning the North, JP will then make a change.
Reasoning - he had the high level qb and wide receiver, he had a strong defense for two of the years, and yet he could not beat out five other teams who will be getting better. At that point, JP will try to upgrade if we do not show more with a better recruiting coaching staff. Seems real simple. Why never get in a position to win the North. Heck, we had trouble winning the Big Eight let alone the Big 12. Yet you keep trying to get better anyway by making changes.

cydsho · 10-05-2006, 03:49 PM

I think we are getting in a vicious circle here where every year becomes the make or break year with each year not making it but also not underperforming where changes are necessary.
Last year was the year things should have happened. The best defensive in ISU history, favorable schedule, and exciting young offense. Result 7-4, reg season. A 10-11 win season would have opened many doors and changed this program and its direction.
We missed our boat last year. Now lets hope Dmac can make some changes and make next year that statement year.

Chris · 10-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Good post 22: I think we will see that the JTS project "funding" is the key to Mac's job. Boosters and fans want a high level of excitement surrounding the football program which usually means getting a few non conference blow out wins, being competitive against those you probably can't and won't beat and a upset or two or beating a ranked team. We are not getting that on a consistent basis. I also think JP is evaluating what the coaching staff is doing with the talent it now has (could the current offense be better and producting more with a different coaching staff?)... that might be an indicator as well.