AP Top 25 Poll

[Frak]

Probably this. Hard to be ranked when you can only muster 10 points against an Iowa team that struggles to score (regardless of where it is).

I also think it becomes harder to vote for teams when you have a unit (STs) that stinks while (simultaneously) not having a unit that blows people away. Right now, due to the quality of the opponents (our defense), that's exactly what we have. Couple that with low preseason expectations and you have to do something to "win" the voters over. We haven't done that yet.

Yeah, we're lacking a really good win right now. Other teams that are ranked or receiving votes just have better wins...or they were preseason ranked and haven't lost. People are not giving us credit for beating iowa because that game was a cluster and everyone thinks that iowa sucks. Other than that, we beat two teams that we should have beat by how much we should have beaten them by.

Beat Baylor and we're top 25 or at least one of the first few receiving votes.

 

[PSYclone22]

Also depth will start to become a factor.

 

[ZuriCyclone]

Yeah, we're lacking a really good win right now. Other teams that are ranked or receiving votes just have better wins...or they were preseason ranked and haven't lost. People are not giving us credit for beating iowa because that game was a cluster and everyone thinks that iowa sucks. Other than that, we beat two teams that we should have beat by how much we should have beaten them by.

Beat Baylor and we're top 25 or at least one of the first few receiving votes.

I Hope they keep ISU out of the Top 25 , even if they beat Baylor. Don't want to be ranked opponent going against a very good KU team on the road.

 

[2speedy1]

Ranking college football's 33 unbeaten teams: Blue bloods, easy paths and stunners

And then there were 33. Bill Connelly ranks the remaining undefeated teams, from CFP contenders to stunning turnarounds.

www.espn.com

28. Kansas (3-0)​

How is Kansas still unbeaten? Look no further than quarterback Jalon Daniels. Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports
SP+ and FPI rankings: 81st and 53rd

SP+ strength of schedule to date: 81st

Odds of reaching 12-0, per SP+: 0% (0.03% of 10-2, 0.4% of 9-3)

What they did in Week 3: defeated Houston 48-30

Why they're still unbeaten: Jalon Daniels, basically. He was great in a thrilling overtime win over West Virginia (219 passing yards, 85 rushing yards), and he might have been even better in the Jayhawks' strangely easy road upset of Houston (158 passing yards, 123 rushing yards). This offense has clicked.

Why they're ranked here: The defense is still lacking. SP+ is slow to respond to up-and-comers like this, but while I have no doubt that the Jayhawks are playing above a No. 81 level right now ... only their offense is. Allowing 72 points and 6.4 yards per play to two FBS opponents will take you only so far.

17. Iowa State (3-0)​

SP+ and FPI rankings: 37th and 27th

SP+ strength of schedule to date: 74th

Odds of reaching 12-0, per SP+: 0.07%

What they did in Week 3: defeated Ohio 43-10

Why they're still unbeaten: No big plays. The Cyclones have allowed just 22 gains of double-digit yards thus far (eighth in FBS) and only two gains of 30-plus (ninth). They force opponents to drive the length of the field, then hold them to field goals in the red zone. Against admittedly iffy offenses, they've allowed just nine points per game.

Why they're ranked here: We'll find out if we can trust Hunter Dekkers soon enough. Against SE Missouri State and Ohio, he was nearly perfect; against a great Iowa defense, not so much. ISU's expectations were low because of what the Cyclones lost from last year's team, but the new players have held up. So far.

 

[madguy30]

Yep. That game in Lawrence won’t be a cakewalk though. And it may even get college Gameday if both us and them take care of business this weekend.

So far a young/'reloading' ISU team has exceeded where I think many figured they'd be...if they get Baylor Saturday I can see that game in Lawrence be the first real hang over/let down type of situation.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Ranking college football's 33 unbeaten teams: Blue bloods, easy paths and stunners

And then there were 33. Bill Connelly ranks the remaining undefeated teams, from CFP contenders to stunning turnarounds.

www.espn.com

28. Kansas (3-0)​

How is Kansas still unbeaten? Look no further than quarterback Jalon Daniels. Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports
SP+ and FPI rankings: 81st and 53rd

SP+ strength of schedule to date: 81st

Odds of reaching 12-0, per SP+: 0% (0.03% of 10-2, 0.4% of 9-3)

What they did in Week 3: defeated Houston 48-30

Why they're still unbeaten: Jalon Daniels, basically. He was great in a thrilling overtime win over West Virginia (219 passing yards, 85 rushing yards), and he might have been even better in the Jayhawks' strangely easy road upset of Houston (158 passing yards, 123 rushing yards). This offense has clicked.

Why they're ranked here: The defense is still lacking. SP+ is slow to respond to up-and-comers like this, but while I have no doubt that the Jayhawks are playing above a No. 81 level right now ... only their offense is. Allowing 72 points and 6.4 yards per play to two FBS opponents will take you only so far.

17. Iowa State (3-0)​

SP+ and FPI rankings: 37th and 27th

SP+ strength of schedule to date: 74th

Odds of reaching 12-0, per SP+: 0.07%

What they did in Week 3: defeated Ohio 43-10

Why they're still unbeaten: No big plays. The Cyclones have allowed just 22 gains of double-digit yards thus far (eighth in FBS) and only two gains of 30-plus (ninth). They force opponents to drive the length of the field, then hold them to field goals in the red zone. Against admittedly iffy offenses, they've allowed just nine points per game.

Why they're ranked here: We'll find out if we can trust Hunter Dekkers soon enough. Against SE Missouri State and Ohio, he was nearly perfect; against a great Iowa defense, not so much. ISU's expectations were low because of what the Cyclones lost from last year's team, but the new players have held up. So far.

Man, Dekkers had a pretty damn solid performance against Iowa. He threw a bad pick in the endzone but the other one wasn't his fault. Dude has more than passed the eye test IMO.

 

[ZRF]

Man, Dekkers had a pretty damn solid performance against Iowa. He threw a bad pick in the endzone but the other one wasn't his fault. Dude has more than passed the eye test IMO.

Dekkers is the least of our problems, TBH.

Line of scrimmage consistency (against the better teams), tackling, utilizing more 4+ man fronts, and (especially) special teams are much bigger issues. Our lines need to show, week in and week out, that they can get a consistent push. The tackling, especially near point of attack, needs to improve; way too many missed first tackles over the first few weeks. We've been reluctant to steer away from the 3 man front when the opposing QB has had all day to throw the ball. I would also like to see an effort to create more one-on-one matchups for Will. Most importantly, and unfortunately the least likely, is to see vast improvement in STs. This unit will make it extremely difficult to win close games. Extremely below average in every facet (kicking, punting, coverage, blocking).

 

[cyclone1209]

This post wins! Lol, so true

 

[Cydkar]

Have you seen the slate of games for next week? They will be at one of these locations.

NC State @ Clemson
Bama at Arkansas
Kentucky @ Ole Miss

I thought they were trying to go to "new" locations? Arkansas and Ole Miss may fit that criteria even though it's probably lip service anyway.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Dekkers is the least of our problems, TBH.

Line of scrimmage consistency (against the better teams), tackling, utilizing more 4+ man fronts, and (especially) special teams are much bigger issues. Our lines need to show, week in and week out, that they can get a consistent push. The tackling, especially near point of attack, needs to improve; way too many missed first tackles over the first few weeks. We've been reluctant to steer away from the 3 man front when the opposing QB has had all day to throw the ball. I would also like to see an effort to create more one-on-one matchups for Will. Most importantly, and unfortunately the least likely, is to see vast improvement in STs. This unit will make it extremely difficult to win close games. Extremely below average in every facet (kicking, punting, coverage, blocking).

Why a 4 man front? The 3 man front has been a wild success for us.

I thought they were trying to go to "new" locations? Arkansas and Ole Miss may fit that criteria even though it's probably lip service anyway.

They always try to hit some "different" places but they were just at Appalachian State. There are too many "bigger" games next week.

 

[exCyDing]

Man, Dekkers had a pretty damn solid performance against Iowa. He threw a bad pick in the endzone but the other one wasn't his fault. Dude has more than passed the eye test IMO.

Dekkers has been nothing short of great so far. Outside of the pick in the end zone against Iowa and the fumbled snap, there's really not much else to criticize him on. I don't think we could have hoped for things to go much better three games in.

 

[VeloClone]

Dekkers has been nothing short of great so far. Outside of the pick in the end zone against Iowa and the fumbled snap, there's really not much else to criticize him on. I don't think we could have hoped for things to go much better three games in.

I still haven't seen this except for in the stadium. Live and on the video board it sure looked like he covered it and was down on top of it with possession only to have the defender strip it long after he was down on top of it.

How long they let things go after a fumble is one of my pet peeves. If a guy is down and has possession - especially in college when you don't have to be down by contact - blow the damned whistle and award the football instead of letting it become a free for all.

 

[CyLyte2]

Anybody who had low expectations for this Cyclone team has no understanding of our situation. Almost to a man the guys playing now we’re more highly rated recruits than the guys who graduated. We had an experience problem not a talent problem. And it’s looking like in at least one case the guy who took over is better all around anyway.

 

[ZRF]

Why a 4 man front? The 3 man front has been a wild success for us.


They always try to hit some "different" places but they were just at Appalachian State. There are too many "bigger" games next week.

At times, especially against better the competition (the teams we need to beat to get to and stay on that next level), we've often struggled to get a push at the point of attack. Whether it's with 3 guys, 4 guys, or 7 guys you need to get some kind of push at the line of scrimmage. Over the last several years 3rd and long situations, namely where the QB has way too much time to throw the ball, have been converted in key situations. We have got to be willing to make schematic change when the scheme becomes part of the problem. Something Campbell/Heacock appear reluctant to do.

This year in particular I don't think we have the line talent to get away with Will (and often another lineman) being double (sometimes triple) teamed on every single play. I'd like to see some more 4 linemen sets in order to help get Will some more one on one matchups. He is easily the best player we have (only other in the discussion is Hutch) on either side of the ball and we have made it WAY too easy for teams to take him out of the equation.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

At times, especially against better the competition (the teams we need to beat to get to and stay on that next level), we've often struggled to get a push at the point of attack. Whether it's with 3 guys, 4 guys, or 7 guys you need to get some kind of push at the line of scrimmage. Over the last several years 3rd and long situations, namely where the QB has way too much time to throw the ball, have been converted in key situations. We have got to be willing to make schematic change when the scheme becomes part of the problem. Something Campbell/Heacock appear reluctant to do.

This year in particular I don't think we have the line talent to get away with Will (and often another lineman) being double (sometimes triple) teamed on every single play. I'd like to see some more 4 linemen sets in order to help get Will some more one on one matchups. He is easily the best player we have (only other in the discussion is Hutch) on either side of the ball and we have made it WAY too easy for teams to take him out of the equation.

The scheme is fine, it really boils down to bringing more than three. Circling last years third down woes is interesting, that was mostly blown coverage.

 

[ZRF]

The scheme is fine, it really boils down to bringing more than three. Circling last years third down woes is interesting, that was mostly blown coverage.

Last year? I think it's been a problem for the last several. In 2019 Iowa mauled us on 3rd and longs all game long.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Last year? I think it's been a problem for the last several. In 2019 Iowa mauled us on 3rd and longs all game long.

Last year was exceptionally bad. The number of times the opposing WR's got behind the safeties on third down was ridiculous. Honestly, last year was the first time I could remember us giving up a bunch of big 3rd down plays since we switched to the 3-3-5.

In 2019 Iowa had 313 yards of total offense... I think it's safe to say the defense did their job.

 

[JM4CY]

Last year? I think it's been a problem for the last several. In 2019 Iowa mauled us on 3rd and longs all game long.

We were 3 for 9 and outgained them by over 100 yards that year.

 

[TedKumsher]

I still haven't seen this except for in the stadium. Live and on the video board it sure looked like he covered it and was down on top of it with possession only to have the defender strip it long after he was down on top of it.

I would say if Dekkers had possession, it was barely and for fractions of a second. The defender punched it out very quickly. I never saw an angle that showed the ball -- only Dekker's back.

 

[Stewo]

Man, Dekkers had a pretty damn solid performance against Iowa. He threw a bad pick in the endzone but the other one wasn't his fault. Dude has more than passed the eye test IMO.

25-38, 184 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's isn't bad at all against one of the top defense in the country. Especially, considering it was his second ever start and in a super hostile environment. Dekkers has done a bang-up job thus far. He just has to tighten up in a few areas.