Perspective and Reality Check

[CYEATHAWK]

I do think that the defense benefits from only being on the field 26-27 minutes of the game. We saw last year against Texas Tech and West Virginia that the defense can have issues as well if they have to play 32-34 minutes of the game.

What?

If the defense is doing their job and getting off the field.......wouldn't that leave more TOP for the offense?

Sounds to me like that's a "benefit" for both sides of the ball.

 

[BigDH01]

Of course its all about wins and losses. Acknowledged. But we've lost 3 games by 11 points total. We're a play or two in every game away from a win. I dont ever expect us to be blowing teams out. Sometimes we'll make that play, sometimes we won't, but let's not act like we're miles off from where we want to be.

Is that you, Scott Frost?

In all seriousness, outside of 2020 which probably isn't representative of a normal year, we're a team that averages between .500 and .600 thanks to CMC. That's way better than my days as a student.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

I don't necessarily disagree with anything the OP said, but the "look at all the players we lost" argument is a bit lost on me. I think so much of the frustration is held over from last year's team. I don't think you can have it both ways and cite the loss of key contributors and not treat last year as a huge disappointment. If they were as valuable as they now appear to have been, I don't think 7-6 can be viewed as anything but a letdown.

If I were to diagnose the fans' frustration, it's mostly that there hasn't been a shift in philosophy. His first few years, I could completely understand the conservative play. It's what you had to do to be competitive. But I think the issue became with increased talent and expectations, we continued to play very conservative, bland football. We were benefitted by elite playmakers in Hall, Montgomery and Hakeem who covered up deficiencies. But now I'm afraid we are left with the reality of a bland scheme with players who can't make up the difference for that.

not to mention, many of the successful teams in the country have decent to explosive offenses....I'm not even asking to score 45 points a game, but if we averaged say 32 points/game, I would not be complaining nearly as much, because we're probably 5-1

 

[Cloneman89]

Wow - gross overreactions to the inept offensive play? Have you watched this team for last several years? We got nothing. My fear is Tampa is in portal at end of year. Along with Kohl - possibly Norton. With the moribund offense, zero improvement on OLINE and inept ST - another 4-5 win season next year? NIL won’t even factor - these guys want to be on a winner not the bottom of the barrel. Our trajectory is spiraling so pull your heads out and be realistic. Your thinking we will win 3/4 more games is not reality. They still have to play like they want to win - the number of dropped passes - some bad throws as well - show me a lack of desire. Has the rah rah stay with process, win in the margins blah blah fallen on deaf ears? I don’t know but the mistakes are evident that basics and fundamentals are out the window!

 

[83cy]

Wow - gross overreactions to the inept offensive play? Have you watched this team for last several years? We got nothing. My fear is Tampa is in portal at end of year. Along with Kohl - possibly Norton. With the moribund offense, zero improvement on OLINE and inept ST - another 4-5 win season next year? NIL won’t even factor - these guys want to be on a winner not the bottom of the barrel. Our trajectory is spiraling so pull your heads out and be realistic. Your thinking we will win 3/4 more games is not reality. They still have to play like they want to win - the number of dropped passes - some bad throws as well - show me a lack of desire. Has the rah rah stay with process, win in the margins blah blah fallen on deaf ears? I don’t know but the mistakes are evident that basics and fundamentals are out the window!

Couldn't be more wrong, seems like a knee jerk "I'm disappointed" reaction.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

Perspective, I think it is highly likely that we are 5-1 if Jirel doesn't turn his ankle against KU.

Two major drops that X had, one against KU and one against KSU, he catches those and we are probably 5-1.

If either one of those scenarios hits, plus the two gifted TD's Baylor got on criminal personal fouls and we could easily be 6-0.

Unfortunately though, the ball hasn't bounced our way in a few critical situations and here we are. I think Manning and Myers should be on the hottest of hot seats, but Campbell isn't wrong when he says this team is close.

 

[Pope]

I've always believed adversity doesn't build character, it reveals character. That doesn't only apply to players and coaches. It also applies to fans.

The kind of fans who immediately after a disappointing loss begin pointing fingers and demanding certain coaches be fired are no different to me than the players who respond by blaming everyone but themselves. I could do without either.

 

[CyCloned]

There are a few things really holding this team back

1. O Line play
2. Play calling, might be being conservative because of 1
3. Special Teams play
4. Dekkers (also has impact from 1). He has the most arm talent I've seen from an ISU QB but isn't near the level of QB instincts Purdy has, play making ability Seneca had, etc.. only 6 games so I still think he's the guy, just needs to get better there.

CMC really needs to reevaluate Manning, our o line coach and hiring a ST coach.

As far as I am concerned it all starts with the OL. Yeah, ISU lost a ton of offensive talent last year, but just average OL play and ISU might be at 6-0 and no one is freaking out. The TE blocking from the last 3 years has really masked how horrible the OL play has been.

Best plan that I can see right now is the put Manning back as OL coach along with his OC duties and have Campbell get heavily involved with the offense. Hire the best ST coach you can find with the new space created. Maybe the guy at WI or Nebraska, or some other team that has fired or is going to fire their HC is a great ST guy.

 

[ZRF]

There are a few things really holding this team back

1. O Line play
2. Play calling, might be being conservative because of 1
3. Special Teams play
4. Dekkers (also has impact from 1). He has the most arm talent I've seen from an ISU QB but isn't near the level of QB instincts Purdy has, play making ability Seneca had, etc.. only 6 games so I still think he's the guy, just needs to get better there.

CMC really needs to reevaluate Manning, our o line coach and hiring a ST coach.

I'd flip 1 and 2 and change 2 to "offensive design" as the issues run deeper than playcalling. I'd also move STs to a tie with #2 as being that bad, routinely, on one of the most controllable facets is inexcusable.

Number 4 for me is INCOMPLETE, as the design and playcalling are so atrocious, along with the line, thta I think it's played into his psyche.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Wow - gross overreactions to the inept offensive play? Have you watched this team for last several years? We got nothing. My fear is Tampa is in portal at end of year. Along with Kohl - possibly Norton. With the moribund offense, zero improvement on OLINE and inept ST - another 4-5 win season next year? NIL won’t even factor - these guys want to be on a winner not the bottom of the barrel. Our trajectory is spiraling so pull your heads out and be realistic. Your thinking we will win 3/4 more games is not reality. They still have to play like they want to win - the number of dropped passes - some bad throws as well - show me a lack of desire. Has the rah rah stay with process, win in the margins blah blah fallen on deaf ears? I don’t know but the mistakes are evident that basics and fundamentals are out the window!

Jesus Christ some of you guys need to relax a little.

 

[ClonerJams]

Most level headed fans understand Campbell has done a very good job. There are challenges here that coaches have to face. Northern most school in a largely Southern conference, being in a small population state where there is another D1 program, lower financial resources than many of our conference mates, ect.

That said, fans have a right to be frustrated with the recurring issues we've seen of Campbells tenure. Special teams as a whole have been a disaster most years, O-line always seemingly being a weakness and sticking with the same O-line coach, lack of creativity from playcalling on offense (particularly this year). Campbell deserves the benefit of the doubt and I'm not ready to write off this year, but 6 games in with a regressing offense is concerning and frustrating.

 

[JUKEBOX]

Jesus Christ some of you guys need to relax a little.

Yeah I'm not sure if it's like a younger Iowa State generation?

If you watched some of the football teams really not that long ago, there was a large talent gap b/w Iowa State and most of the Big 12 (and we would get obliterated by anyone with a pulse).

I haven't seen that talent gap yet this year (probably the only argument is that maybe Baylor had better talent). I think there's reason for valid concern for the offense stagnating and re-occurring issues around special teams, but I don't think the sky is falling yet.

 

[Darius Bieber]

Yeah I'm not sure if it's like a younger Iowa State generation?

If you watched some of the football teams really not that long ago, there was a large talent gap b/w Iowa State and most of the Big 12 (and we would get obliterated by anyone with a pulse).

I haven't seen that talent gap yet this year (probably the only argument is that maybe Baylor had better talent). I think there's reason for valid concern for the offense stagnating and re-occurring issues around special teams, but I don't think the sky is falling yet.

That's exactly the thing, you haven't seen the talent gap yet.... and yet we are 0-3 in conference. We will start seeing the talent gap starting on Saturday, then again with OK State, and TCU coming up, and things may get very ugly.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Yeah I'm not sure if it's like a younger Iowa State generation?

If you watched some of the football teams really not that long ago, there was a large talent gap b/w Iowa State and most of the Big 12 (and we would get obliterated by anyone with a pulse).

I haven't seen that talent gap yet this year (probably the only argument is that maybe Baylor had better talent). I think there's reason for valid concern for the offense stagnating and re-occurring issues around special teams, but I don't think the sky is falling yet.

Yeah through the Danny Mac and CPTR era's we also had games where we would get absolutely piss pounded. The game at Baylor still haunts my dreams.

 

[JUKEBOX]

That's exactly the thing, you haven't seen the talent gap yet.... and yet we are 0-3 in conference. We will start seeing the talent gap starting on Saturday, then again with OK State, and TCU coming up, and things may get very ugly.

Maybe that will happen, but I honestly don't know. Our offense could make some adjustments and if our defense doesn't fall apart, I don't think there's any game left on the schedule that we can't win.

If no adjustments are made and we start getting obliterated then I would understand more of the theatrics.

 

[Dowwmeow]

We have not been active in the portal in the last two years and that will change this winter/spring. We will have a couple defections as all schools do.

I think we need to go HEAVY in the portal for: OL, running back, TE, and DE.

How do you know “that will change” and ISU goes heavy in next season’s portal? Honest question, not trying to be a wise guy here. Campbell has gone very light so far in the portal…a position of need here and there. I agree with you though…we NEED to go heavy into it to ensure future success

 

[Dekkers4Heisman]

I wonder how this much different this season would be with a health Norton. In his 3 carries, he looked good. He certainly would have made an impact in the KU game. Silas can't block or slam it up the gut and Sanders just isn't very good. Brock still seems banged up right now

 

[CyBobby]

What is it going to take for the O line to become at least average? The explanation has always been that building skill and depth on the O line takes time, but this is now year 7. Isn't CMC now the second longest tenured coach in the league after Gundy? Seems like by year 7 this thing should at least be serviceable. CMC wants to be a physical, ball control kind of team so surely he knows this is a big priority.

BETTER PLAYERS!

 

[exCYtable]

It's been a long time since I've done a long-form article so thought I'd take the time...

I think I've said on here after every basketball or football game for 15 years that people always overreact to a win or a loss. Hybe builds exponentially when we look good in a game, and the doom and gloom breaks out when we struggle for a game - let alone a stretch of them. Likewise, people listen to all the offseason hype - building expectations that aren't usually founded in the reality of what our team looks like at each position. The reality is always somewhere in the middle.

Perspective:

A lot of fans are rightfully frustrated over the past several weeks. While emotions are natural, the program is still in a better place than it's ever been...

• We have our best coach in history.
• Our longest stretch of success.
• Are largely well respected throughout the country.
• Recruiting continues to trend in the right direction.
• Defense is playing as well as it ever has.
• Just graduated the best players we've arguably ever had at QB, WR, and TE.
• Are getting players into the NFL at a good clip.
• Have a few strong studs currently committed.

With that said, there are also some areas of concern...

• While better, our recruiting still ranks at the bottom of the Big 12.
• Our league is tougher than ever with even Kansas improving.
• We have a ton of youth throughout the two-deeps on both sides of the ball.
• Our o-line hasn't improved at all over the past number of years.
• Multi-year struggles inside the opponent's 30.
• Inconsistency in the special teams unit.
• There is a national narrative that maybe CMC has hit his ceiling in Ames.
• 80% of our passing runs through one receiver.

Reality Check:

This all leads to a little bit of a reality check...

Recruiting:

Iowa State is still a developmental and fundamentals program. We will never be above average in recruiting or ranked above 1/3rd to 1/2 of our league given various reasons. If we don't play fundamental football and develop our 2 and 3 star players into consistent winners, we're going to struggle. Fundamentals have been lacking in various ways and really need to be a focus. For all the talk of winning in the margins, we need to double down on the small things. We've lost more games on a lack of fundamentals and mistakes than anything over the past 5-7 years.

With that said, we do need another increase in recruiting as we have a lot of gaps that just don't have an established pipeline or team parity. A good example is o-line; our recruiting continues to struggle and despite a string of good QB and RB recruits/commits, they're never going to reach their potential without protection and blocking. We will struggle in the red zone when defenses lock down because we can't dictate anything.

Unfortunately, I do think we have less dynamic, speed-oriented talent at several positions. This is sometimes confused with schematic issues and play-calling because the players can't do what the plays need. Example - while there is talent at RB, each of the players have a unique style but all require fairly decent holes. Brock isn't the type of back Montgomery or Hall were where they could make something out of nothing. Sanders isn't strong enough to go inside. Silas is a wrecking ball but needs a bit of a head start. Brock is the only one in the 4-deep that looks like an every-down back, and even he will struggle because of other positions.

Schematics:

Defense is playing lights out, even with a lot of youth. Enough said.

Offense continues to struggle in the same places year-over-year. I don't know the root cause, but this needs to be the biggest focus area immediately and long-term. One could make a great case for schematics, and even the announcers the past 2 weeks have expressed bewilderment at many of the routes and play calling. While we've clearly had our best offense over the past 5 years, we've also had elite and dynamic talent at key positions that could mask any issues. Without that, our play calling doesn't appear to be sufficient. Running 3-yard routes on 3rd or 4th and long is becoming a national joke and identity. Running inside 3 straight plays for no gain isn't going to get it done. Those worked when we had dynamic players with great yards after contact/catch, but it hasn't adapted to current personnel.

Offensive rankings after 6 games;

• 110th for yards per play
• 114th for yards per point
• 123rd for yards per completion
• 190th for scoring offense
• 38th for plays per game
• 116th for rushing offense
• 115th for yards per run at 3.0 (down from 5.4 last year)
• 105th for rushing attempts per game.

Now, when you look at talent, experience, and schematics, I think they create a perfect storm for what we're seeing. While people will use anything to justify their opinions or agenda, I don't think there is any one thing that is at fault, but rather a whole lot of things. We're young, we're predictable, we're not tough up front, and we lack speed. The play book gets pretty small when those things converge. Unfortunately, I don't think that is a quick fix either. It's not all doom and gloom, but there are some rough patches ahead.

So where do we go? I think we need to buckle in for a rough remainder of the year. I said in the offseason I thought this looked like a rebuilding year with 6-7 wins and we're probably looking at 5 or 6 wins realistically unless something big happens. What I want to see though is a change in schematics, a focus on fundamentals, and an urgency to improve. We need to find an identity and double down. I want to see coaches speak more about the issues instead of deflecting. If we don't, a lot can be undone in one season.

Some of the talent committed will fit nicely with older versions of the current roster. Coaching can improve and new ideas can be mixed in. We have a solid defense to build around and some good young players throughout.

We need to show our 5-star culture if we're going to be ready to compete in the new Big 12 and keep recruiting on an upward trajectory.

Go Cyclones!

When CMC came we were all on board with "becoming Iowa." Great defense. Run the ball. Stay in every game. Well, we've become Iowa...and we don't like it. Because it's conservative and boring. But we're in every game!

 

[simply1]

When CMC came we were all on board with "becoming Iowa." Great defense. Run the ball. Stay in every game. Well, we've become Iowa...and we don't like it. Because it's conservative and boring. But we're in every game!

We were in every game scoring more as well, i don’t think that’s it.