Iowa Game Thoughts and UNLV look ahead

[Clonefan32]

I've not posted much post game, too emotional about it. But finally, three things wrt Iowa and this game:

1. Stop playing checkers with the guy who invented the game of checkers. Do something, anything, to speed up and mess up the game. You can't out-Ferentz Ferentz.

2. You can't just forfeit a third of the game (ie special teams) and expect to beat disciplined teams.

3. Guys gotta execute. Brock was bad. Breece and X both made fatal errors.

I am much more concerned with 1 and 2 than 3. 3 happens sometimes, but the others are kind of unforgiveable, given they are continuing problems.

I think you've pretty well nailed my thoughts, especially with your first point. Campbell's conservative approach was great when we were up-and-comers. Keep the game close in games we are otherwise out-talented in and see what happens at the end. But you have an All-American Running back and TE. You have one of the best returning WR in the Big 12 and one of our most decorated QBs in our history. At some point you quit being timid and say "I have the most talented team on the field let's make something happen." And a playbook that consists solely of off tackle runs, square outs and slants aint it.

To me it's just a change in mindset. Be the aggressor and take it to them. Stop being timid, stop playing the ball-control, field position game. Open things up and let our players make plays, and hope the 3rd point you make rings true. I'd rather lose by 20 taking a real shot at it than lose by 20 playing timid.

 

[VeloClone]

Stop with the BS.

I agree.

 

[JCloned]

Are you saying the staff (him included) has done a satisfactory (let alone good job) with the special teams based on those performances over the last 6 years (not sure how one could do that but I'd love to see you try)? If you agree, then what part of suggesting we need to bring on a coordinator (something different then we are doing) do you not agree with?

I don't know the actual solution as I can't comment on the coach's (especially the LBs, line, etc) contributions. I'm not there. But I can say, unequivocally, that I do know our special teams "solution" isn't working. And if something that's problematic has been a consistent issue over 6 years then I think it's fair to say the solution to it likely doesn't reside within this staff. If it did we wouldn't have the constant clusterfuck.

What I am saying is if you move on field resources to more focus in one area by definition you have to move them from other areas. Btw last year is the most recent Special Teams data available and if you take out our lack of ability last year to kick off and create touchbacks, our Special Teams overall were far from the cluster you claim. In Kick off we were 114, but Kick Return was 15th.

 

[JCloned]

I think you've pretty well nailed my thoughts, especially with your first point. Campbell's conservative approach was great when we were up-and-comers. Keep the game close in games we are otherwise out-talented in and see what happens at the end. But you have an All-American Running back and TE. You have one of the best returning WR in the Big 12 and one of our most decorated QBs in our history. At some point you quit being timid and say "I have the most talented team on the field let's make something happen." And a playbook that consists solely of off tackle runs, square outs and slants aint it.

To me it's just a change in mindset. Be the aggressor and take it to them. Stop being timid, stop playing the ball-control, field position game. Open things up and let our players make plays, and hope the 3rd point you make rings true. I'd rather lose by 20 taking a real shot at it than lose by 20 playing timid.

Both posts are well said. The only difference I think is our approach will work against probably every team we play, except for Iowa and a couple teams that approach the game in a similar fashion. Our style plays to their strength and while you can't change your identity for one game, I though we could have be more aggressive within our identity. Of course if you cut out some of the uncharacteristic drops and Purdy throws it may not have been intended to look as conservative as it seemed.

 

[Clonefan32]

Both posts are well said. The only difference I think is our approach will work against probably every team we play, except for Iowa and a couple teams that approach the game in a similar fashion. Our style plays to their strength and while you can't change your identity for one game, I though we could have be more aggressive within our identity. Of course if you cut out some of the uncharacteristic drops and Purdy throws it may not have been intended to look as conservative as it seemed.

In a sense yes. But it looked much the same against UNI. Just a refusal to open it up and take a shot. I can understand to an extent just trading body blows with Iowa and seeing where you wind up. But for goodness sake we took an uber-conservative, border-lined scared approach against UNI. I particularly remember one drive in the late 3rd quarter where we had 4th and inches around mid-field. It's UNI and we have Breece Hall and an experienced line-- go get that inch.

Like I said, the uber-conservative approach was fine when you didn't have the talent to compete traditionally with some of the big boys. But I'd like to think we are beyond that and we can give teams our best shot.

 

[CyBobby]

That's not my job and I have no possible way to ascertain a coach's impact other than by evaluating what I see on the field.

With that said it's obvious Campbell needs to (which I'm sure he does) assess his staff, come with with different plans based on a combination of who's irreplaceable, who's likely replaceable, and what the current available options are. Regardless, it's obvious he and his coaches haven't had the answer for our persistent special teams problems. Are you arguing this point? Are you saying the someone on this staff can solve the problems that have persisted for 6 years?

Look, I'd understand if I was one of those dimwits that was overreacting to one game. Again this has been a persisting issue and I don't understand how any knowledgeable fan could argue against bringing on someone to solve these issues. It's perplexing.

Believe me Coach Matt Campbell is NOT changing anyone on his staff....

 

[cyclonehomer]

In a sense yes. But it looked much the same against UNI. Just a refusal to open it up and take a shot. I can understand to an extent just trading body blows with Iowa and seeing where you wind up. But for goodness sake we took an uber-conservative, border-lined scared approach against UNI. I particularly remember one drive in the late 3rd quarter where we had 4th and inches around mid-field. It's UNI and we have Breece Hall and an experienced line-- go get that inch.

Like I said, the uber-conservative approach was fine when you didn't have the talent to compete traditionally with some of the big boys. But I'd like to think we are beyond that and we can give teams our best shot.

Sacramento State had 350 passing yards against UNI. No one on earth can convince me that Sac St. has better talent at QB, WR, and TE than Iowa State. You're on the money with this.

 

[CascadeClone]

Both posts are well said. The only difference I think is our approach will work against probably every team we play, except for Iowa and a couple teams that approach the game in a similar fashion. Our style plays to their strength and while you can't change your identity for one game, I though we could have be more aggressive within our identity. Of course if you cut out some of the uncharacteristic drops and Purdy throws it may not have been intended to look as conservative as it seemed.

Agree. Playing half-court football is great against 90% of opponents, and most of the Big12 (KSU excepted, and maybe Baylor & Tech who seem to be going that direction), but doing it against Iowa is just... its Inigio Montoya challenging you to a duel, and and you choose swords instead of pistols.

 

[mjdivine]

Purdy and offense needs confidence, like in bball, just need to see the ball go through the hoop. Talent is all there, would like to see BP throw open more guys. Timing is a bit off, which leads to under throws deep or fast balls on short routes.

Pure speculation: I wonder if practicing against the first-string defense has hurt his confidence and made him really risk averse. I mean, that's gotta be tough.

 

[NoCreativity]

It's pretty obvious the reason we've looked so bad the first 2 games is Campbell doesn't want to give too much of our playbook away to UNLV.

 

[cayin]

Sacramento State had 350 passing yards against UNI. No one on earth can convince me that Sac St. has better talent at QB, WR, and TE than Iowa State. You're on the money with this.

and that blows my mind. Our offense should blow UNI off the field, but look what it did. Absolutely pathetic. Sacramento State? Geez, that says a lot right there, that they had so much success against UNI and we couldn't.

 

[madguy30]

Pure speculation: I wonder if practicing against the first-string defense has hurt his confidence and made him really risk averse. I mean, that's gotta be tough.

How much time do the 1st stringers spend facing off?

 

[norcalcy]

Sacramento State had 350 passing yards against UNI. No one on earth can convince me that Sac St. has better talent at QB, WR, and TE than Iowa State. You're on the money with this.

They don't. But they do have a very offensive minded head coach who used to be OC at Utah. The guy has had potent offenses everywhere he has been. Sac State was an absolutely dreadful FCS program and he has somewhat revived it.

 

[VeloClone]

How much time do the 1st stringers spend facing off?

Usually not a lot, but there have been stories how Campbell has subscribed to the theory that steel sharpens steel so the 1s have been facing the 1s and the 2s have been facing the 2s regularly in practice this calendar year.

 

[davegilbertson]

Usually not a lot, but there have been stories how Campbell has subscribed to the theory that steel sharpens steel so the 1s have been facing the 1s and the 2s have been facing the 2s regularly in practice this calendar year.

Have to say, I noticed on ISU social channels defense getting picks. And it made me excited, but also nervous.

 

[madguy30]

Usually not a lot, but there have been stories how Campbell has subscribed to the theory that steel sharpens steel so the 1s have been facing the 1s and the 2s have been facing the 2s regularly in practice this calendar year.

Interesting. I tend to agree in aspects. Seeing a defense that's better than most in practice should help if anything.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Sacramento State had 350 passing yards against UNI. No one on earth can convince me that Sac St. has better talent at QB, WR, and TE than Iowa State. You're on the money with this.

Big caveat there...

UNI (finally) benched McElvain to start the second half and scored touchdowns on 4 consecutive drives in the 3rd. Just shy of 200 of those yards were when UNI was just keeping everything in front of them after the game was in hand.

 

[tolfbfan]

Dumpster fire after dumpster fire threads due to FOUR turnovers. You lose 90%+ of those games, usually by large margins. RELAX! Iowa posters should be freakin out about their offense. Are their sites doing that, probably not. Why, they were 4 turnover to the positive side. FOUR PLAYS! FIX THE FOUR PLAYS and reasonable ISU posters are drinking koolaide again......LOL. Never going to be perfect, just need more perfect than the opposition.

 

[MartyFine]

 

[larrysarmy]

Dumpster fire after dumpster fire threads due to FOUR turnovers. You lose 90%+ of those games, usually by large margins. RELAX! Iowa posters should be freakin out about their offense. Are their sites doing that, probably not. Why, they were 4 turnover to the positive side. FOUR PLAYS! FIX THE FOUR PLAYS and reasonable ISU posters are drinking koolaide again......LOL. Never going to be perfect, just need more perfect than the opposition.

100%. And still only lost by 10. Should’ve been 20+ and done by the end of the 3rd quarter. It sucks, it’s Iowa, but shore up offensive execution and this team will be fine moving forward.