CW on KXNO

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Originally Posted by garn91

Wow, ISU was 99th in total defense last year? With only 4 returning starters on defense this year and with the nation's hardest schedule, it's easy to see why ISU was picked by the media to finish last in the North.

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Good thing we were much better in scoring defense, and points win games, not total yardage. We were truly a bend but don't break, turnovers producing defense last year.

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Originally Posted by CykoAGR

I actually predict that our D will improve because hey it cant get much worse

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This is not remotely true... last years D was actually one of the best in ISU history in Big 12 play. Only D in ISU history to ever hold 3 Big 12 teams to 10 points or less in a season (they also won the bowl game against Minnesota and did very well against Army and pretty well against Kent St.). Our D was the driving force behind all of our conference victories and the bowl game.

Everyone is way too hung up on yards. Points are what count.

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Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

Don't mean to pick on you garn, as lots of people throw out the "only x returning starters", but does it really matter how many starters are coming back? It's not like 22 guys play the whole game and no else gets any experience. Many of the guys who will be on the D-line got significant minutes last year, as did many of the d-backs.

We've had plenty of teams over the years where a large number of starters were returning and we ended up not being very successful. On the other hand, there's been years where we played a lot of new faces and had some good teams. Overall, I think it's a pretty irrelevant statistic, but it's something easy for writers to trot out to support their predictions, so it will continue to get used all the time.

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Point well taken and that's how I feel about Nebraska's D-line as well.

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Originally Posted by garn91

Wow, ISU was 99th in total defense last year? With only 4 returning starters on defense this year and with the nation's hardest schedule, it's easy to see why ISU was picked by the media to finish last in the North.

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How do you balance this argument with the National Championship talk for your beloved Bugeaters. They return something like 6 starters on the worst offense in the BigXII, but you all have the Texas game circled that if you win, watch out 12-0.

When Jon asked CW for his perspective of Iowa this year, this is what I wish he would have said instead of the serious answer he gave.

"Well, Jon. From my perspective Iowa has all the talent in the world. I don't see a weak point in the team. There is no reason that the Hawks should not go undefeated and have a shot at the National Championship. The only way Iowa doesn't get into the BCS Championship Game is when the national media doesn't give Iowa the respect it clearly deserves and lets in a lesser team....like Texas. Anything less Hawk fans should be upset about and really question the direction that this program is heading."

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Originally Posted by becrisgreg

How do you balance this argument with the National Championship talk for your beloved Bugeaters. They return something like 6 starters on the worst offense in the BigXII, but you all have the Texas game circled that if you win, watch out 12-0.

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I love it when people remind them what their real name is. Or at least was before they stole Cornhuskers from the University of Iowa of all places.

Between Rashawn Parker and Rony Nelson, I fully believe our D-line could improve this fall.

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Originally Posted by becrisgreg

How do you balance this argument with the National Championship talk for your beloved Bugeaters. They return something like 6 starters on the worst offense in the BigXII, but you all have the Texas game circled that if you win, watch out 12-0.

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It's 10 starters returning on offense that was really impacted by injuries. Some of the expctations from my fellow Husker fans are off the charts, but I guess that's to be expected and the buildup for that Texas game is already insane and is only going to get worse as the game approaches.

I could buy into the 12-0 hype if there weren't so many questions on offense. Was the offensive performance in the Holiday Bowl a fluke, or is that something the offense is capable of this year? Who steps up and compliments Niles Paul at WR? Can Helu and Burkhead make it through the season healthy? Will the offensive line with 4 returning starters along with most of the 2 and 3 deep along the line as well finally have a "break out" year? Not to mention if Lee has fully recovered from his January surgery on his throwing arm/elbow, which there are some rumors flying around that Lee isn't fully 100% yet.

I'm personally expecting 9-10 regular season wins. Three conference games loom big...Missouri, AtM, and of course Texas. Not to mention the trip to Washington were it can be tough to play in at times.

Jon Miller is a fine American :smile:

I wish they would podcast this. Ive noticed the Miller & Deace podcasting has gone downhill as of late. That's too bad.

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Originally Posted by rdubbs

Jon Miller is a fine American :smile:

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Jon's only sin is that he is a fan of an Iowa based team that actually has a chance to play for the National Championship this year. That makes wildly jealous fans of another Iowa based team very angry!

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Originally Posted by Wingback

Jon's only sin is that he is a fan of an Iowa based team that actually has a chance to play for the National Championship this year. That makes wildly jealous fans of another Iowa based team very angry!

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I know. **** UNI.

I think it's funny that Husker fans are more worried about playing on the road against a school that hasn't been to a bowl in 8 years than playing on the road against a team that beat them last year without it's 2 best players.

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Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I think it's funny that Husker fans are more worried about playing on the road against a school that hasn't been to a bowl in 8 years than playing on the road against a team that beat them last year without it's 2 best players.

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I'm presuming you're referring to Texas A & M, Al. The reason Nebraska fans would be more concerned about A & M than Iowa State should be fairly obvious. A & M has more talent on their roster and will end up being a better team than Iowa State. Is that fairly easy to comprehend?

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Originally Posted by Wingback

I'm presuming you're referring to Texas A & M, Al. The reason Nebraska fans would be more concerned about A & M than Iowa State should be fairly obvious. A & M has more talent on their roster and will end up being a better team than Iowa State. Is that fairly easy to comprehend?

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Doesn't mean Nebraska shouldn't be worried about the trip to Ames. They absolutely should. Neither Nebraska NOR iowa are good enough to overlook ISU. If they do, they will get beat.