The offense has zero identity

[CyCloned]

It has an identity. Our OL is just garbage.

I am hopeful things are going to get better, but I will still echo my concern about hiring a GA to be the OL coach. Just too critical a unit to turn over to a 24 year old. Especially when it is by far the worst unit on the team over the last 3 years.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I am in the camp that hopes this is Campbell keeping it close to the vest. Iowa was ugly and understandably so, but going from a good offensive game against OU to a conservative, offense with the game still in the balance doesn't make sense to me. Win the game rather than getting young guys reps or just running up the middle. Get up 2-3 scores before bleeding the clock.

Did we not win the game? I like the confidence CMC showed in knowing he could build some depth and be inconspicuous in what we showed future teams.

That said, I am not a fan of how conservative we get, which I think stresses an already poor OL. I would think the guys could benefit from practicing more of our playbook, which I really hope exists.

 

[FinalFourCy]

When will Noland be told to keep the ball on the zone read? Defensive end on left side was jumping inside on every inside read, and Noland needs to keep it occasionally to keep them honest.

The same time we pass out of the Wildcat?

Imagine Mitchell running that. Between Kempt and Noland, and in general our game plan, it's blood in the water to an opposing defense.

 

[clonedlion]

Did we not win the game? I like the confidence CMC showed in knowing he could build some depth and be inconspicuous in what we showed future teams.

That said, I am not a fan of how conservative we get, which I think stresses an already poor OL. I would think the guys could benefit from practicing more of our playbook, which I really hope exists.

Yes, ISU won, but there seems to be a time and a place to go super conservative and make questionable decisions, such as putting Purdy in, or not allowing Zeb to throw the ball when Akron D was playing run every first down, some third. Many times, the offensive game plan but them in third and long and Zab many times through it 6 yard short of the first down.
It all worked out, but that doesn't mean you don't put your best foot forward, no matter who you are facing.

 

[CyCloned]

The same time we pass out of the Wildcat?

Imagine Mitchell running that. Between Kempt and Noland, and in general our game plan, it's blood in the water to an opposing defense.

Maybe Campbell is scared to get Zeb hurt, but when he runs the bootleg off the handoff to the RB there was no one even looking at him. Might be a great opportunity to run a bootleg pass.

 

[CyBobby]

It's tough to game plan around a porous offensive line. Seems like the previous two years we could at least tread water at pass blocking, not so much this year.

"Porous offensive line" ....U say, I agree 200%, this OLine has a long way to go to be BIG XII quality...but CMC will get them there.......GO Cyclones

 

[Daserop]

"Porous offensive line" ....U say, I agree 200%, this OLine has a long way to go to be BIG XII quality...but CMC will get them there.......GO Cyclones

I want to believe, but he hasn't yet.

 

[FredCyclone]

I think offense is going to be an issue in Camp's era here. Last year we lost multiple games because of the offense during the entire season and ended up in a quiet a few close games because of the offense , even when the Defense played lights out.

On the positive side he is a young coach learning everyday and gaining experience , will turn the offense around at some point.

 

[Knownothing]

Butler should have 10 catches a game. The whole game plan should be to get him and Montgomery the ball somehow.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I see a very conservative play caller that doesn't have any faith in his weak side protection. We haven't run any counters, misdirection, or anything of notable creativity to this point in the run game. Best play call be Campbell in the run game was when we lined up under center and handed Montgomery the ball with a lead blocker.

The passing side of things has been very spotty. I think Noland looks pretty good, but it all hinges on this O-line improving.

Campbell took a huge bite this season, he might be choking on it a bit at the moment. Losing Manning has been pretty glaring but in the same breathe we didn't start that well last season either.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Yes, ISU won, but there seems to be a time and a place to go super conservative and make questionable decisions, such as putting Purdy in, or not allowing Zeb to throw the ball when Akron D was playing run every first down, some third. Many times, the offensive game plan but them in third and long and Zab many times through it 6 yard short of the first down.
It all worked out, but that doesn't mean you don't put your best foot forward, no matter who you are facing.

That time and place was Akron, the 2nd worst opponent we'll face.
Maybe CMC isn't as shell-shocked as you. We clearly had enough advantages to grind out a win without showing much and working on needed depth.

Shooting your load every game isn't necessarily putting your best foot forward. Akron is definitely a game you don't score as many as possible at all costs. Keep it close to the vest, get backups some time, get your #2 QB some key snaps before conference play starts, and get a comfortable win.

 

[norcalcy]

I'm skeptical of the "we played it close to the vest" story. A top half Big XII team should have an O line that gets better push against a MAC d line. You don't put anything on film that an opponent can use by kicking someone's ass in a one on one battle on the line of scrimmage. Our guys sure aren't doing that consistently. The offensive rythym sucks because, outside of Montgomery doing Montgomery things, there's no running threat. Thank goodness we have damn good receivers. Can't sugar coat it, that O line is a major problem right now. It feels like it would be a miracle for this offense to score 30 points on anybody.

 

[1976]

Solid effort against a decent team under tough circumstances. Enjoy the win and let’s go get another one next week!!

 

[FredCyclone]

Butler should have 10 catches a game. The whole game plan should be to get him and Montgomery the ball somehow.

Especially when he is on single coverage, just fkn throw it to him

 

[clonedlion]

That time and place was Akron, the 2nd worst opponent we'll face.
Maybe CMC isn't as shell-shocked as you. We clearly had enough advantages to grind out a win without showing much and working on needed depth.

Shooting your load every game isn't necessarily putting your best foot forward. Akron is definitely a game you don't score as many as possible at all costs. Keep it close to the vest, get backups some time, get your #2 QB some key snaps before conference play starts, and get a comfortable win.

I understand where you are coming from, but NW probably said the same thing last week. I think ISU is a better team, but when its floating around a 4-7 point advantage for much of the second half, it only takes 1 turnover, defensive breakdown, etc. to be behind against a team that everyone expects you to beat relatively easily.
Take Clemson last week vs Georgia Southern. Clemson could've won by 80, the srpead was only 34 and Ga Southern covered. We know Clemson didn't show their whole game plan, but they did enough where it wasn't in question deep int o the game.
I'm not comparing ISU to Clemson, but am comparing the situation.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I'm skeptical of the "we played it close to the vest" story. A top half Big XII team should have an O line that gets better push against a MAC d line. You don't put anything on film that an opponent can use by kicking someone's ass in a one on one battle on the line of scrimmage. Our guys sure aren't doing that consistently. .

One-on-one? DM gets more respect than that.

This isn't Class 1A Iowa football.

 

[norcalcy]

One-on-one? DM gets more respect than that.

This isn't Class 1A Iowa football.

talking about the line winning their battles and not getting pushed back into DM's and Zeb's lap

 

[jbhtexas]

I'm skeptical of the "we played it close to the vest" story. A top half Big XII team should have an O line that gets better push against a MAC d line. You don't put anything on film that an opponent can use by kicking someone's ass in a one on one battle on the line of scrimmage. Our guys sure aren't doing that consistently. The offensive rythym sucks because, outside of Montgomery doing Montgomery things, there's no running threat. Thank goodness we have damn good receivers. Can't sugar coat it, that O line is a major problem right now. It feels like it would be a miracle for this offense to score 30 points on anybody.

Yeah, I'm skeptical of the "playing it close to the vest line", and I'm also skeptical of the "it takes years to develop an offensive line" thinking as well. This is Campbell's third year...and as you say, ISU should be able to reasonably handle a MAC defensive line by this point.

I know the Manning departure was terrible, terrible timing for ISU, but it seems that the O-line and the offensive scheming could really use the benefit some experienced coaching. But, ISU doesn't have that, so onward and hopefully upward.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I understand where you are coming from, but NW probably said the same thing last week. I think ISU is a better team, but when its floating around a 4-7 point advantage for much of the second half, it only takes 1 turnover, defensive breakdown, etc. to be behind against a team that everyone expects you to beat relatively easily.
Take Clemson last week vs Georgia Southern. Clemson could've won by 80, the srpead was only 34 and Ga Southern covered. We know Clemson didn't show their whole game plan, but they did enough where it wasn't in question deep int o the game.
I'm not comparing ISU to Clemson, but am comparing the situation.

Again, did we not win by two scores? Maybe you're wearing your nutcup a little too tightly.

You feel CMC was both too risky and too risk averse? Not playing our starters all game and while too conservative with playcalls.

 

[clonedlion]

Again, did we not win by two scores? Maybe you're wearing your nutcup a little too tightly.

You feel CMC was both too risky and too risk averse? Not playing our starters all game and while too conservative with playcalls.

I'm not one that wears a nutcup, despite being a Cyclone and Lion fan. To answer your question, yes. I thought it was too close to the vest in a game that ISU was not in control of because of the way they ran the offense.
Ultimately, CMC knows his players and team. He knew the vibe going into this game and he did what was needed to win the game. Still, you would like to see them dominant an inferior opponent a little bit more than they did today.