2024-25 ISU FB Early Predictions and Offseason Discussion

CascadeClone

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Oct 24, 2009
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In my humble opinion, our record being 5-14 in 1-score games in just the past 3 seasons is not a good thing. Been wrong before though!!
I looked at these.

2021: 2-5, this was the superstar team
wins - UNI and OSU at home.
losses - at Baylor (KR TD allowed), at WV (bs fumble), at Tech (new coach, new QB, new scheme, 600 yard FG), at OU (so close), Clemson in bowl game

2022: 1-6, freshman Dekkers
wins - at Iowa
losses - Baylor, KU (3 missed FG, lost by 3), KSU (lost by 1), at Tx (X dropped TD), at OSU, Tech

2023: 2-3, Rocco who?
wins - OSU and KSU (snowmageddon!)
losses - Iowa, at Ohio, at KU

Thoughts-
2021 special teams cost a game, WV and Tech were just flat out fluky losses on the road.

2022 was the worst, but frankly, if they hadn't had a incredible defense, most of those would have been two score losses (or worse) with all the new pieces on offense. So really, losing 6 close games is probably a good thing this season. Could have been 4-8 and lost every game by 14. Still woulda/coulda won a couple of those, esp the KU game ffs.

2023 frankly was probably pretty normal. take away the food poisoning and maybe they are 3-2 instead of 2-3.

Overall... I think the coaches deserve some of the blame, for playing tight on offense and not emphasizing ST enough. But some of it, lets say 4 games in 2022, would have been blowouts if not for the phenomenal defense. Then it's 9-10 instead of 5-14, and no one really worries about it.
 
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CyGuy5

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Dec 4, 2013
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Kansas City
I looked at these.

2021: 2-5, this was the superstar team
wins - UNI and OSU at home.
losses - at Baylor (KR TD allowed), at WV (bs fumble), at Tech (new coach, new QB, new scheme, 600 yard FG), at OU (so close), Clemson in bowl game

2022: 1-6, freshman Dekkers
wins - at Iowa
losses - Baylor, KU (3 missed FG, lost by 3), KSU (lost by 1), at Tx (X dropped TD), at OSU, Tech

2023: 2-3, Rocco who?
wins - OSU and KSU (snowmageddon!)
losses - Iowa, at Ohio, at KU

Thoughts-
2021 special teams cost a game, WV and Tech were just flat out fluky losses on the road.

2022 was the worst, but frankly, if they hadn't had a incredible defense, most of those would have been two score losses (or worse) with all the new pieces on offense. So really, losing 6 close games is probably a good thing this season. Could have been 4-8 and lost every game by 14. Still woulda/coulda won a couple of those, esp the KU game ffs.

2023 frankly was probably pretty normal. take away the food poisoning and maybe they are 3-2 instead of 2-3.

Overall... I think the coaches deserve some of the blame, for playing tight on offense and not emphasizing ST enough. But some of it, lets say 4 games in 2022, would have been blowouts if not for the phenomenal defense. Then it's 9-10 instead of 5-14, and no one really worries about it.
That KU game last year was incredibly disappointing. Losing because the defense got burnt on the same pop pass to the TE two times in one game, not to mention Noel’s KR TD wiped off the board
 
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IowaState88

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Early prediction for most impressive position group on each side of the ball:

Offense - Wide Receivers

- Higgins: Was elite down the stretch last season. 9 catches, 214 yards and a TD in the bowl game. True NFL potential. Added more size/strength this offseason to help with physicality at the catch point this.

- Noel: Will be a 4 year starter with an incredibly high floor. Dependable in the slot and explosive after the catch. Primed for another great season.

- Jackson: When healthy, a solid 3rd option. Has dealt with several injuries in the past but has shown flashes of being a capable playmaker with solid size and speed. High school All-American.

- Green: Had over 1,000 total yards last year for NDSU, moving up a level but a capable weapon. In the last two games of the FCS playoffs, had a combined 236 yards on 10 catches and 1 TD.

- Alston: Big, physical and athletic. Will be important in the blocking game and as a possession catch guy.

- Ngoyi: Arguably the most athletic player on the team. Flashed with a 46 yard diving catch vs Memphis. Incredible potential on the outside at 6’4 200lbs.

Defense - Safeties

- Freyler: Second team All B12 last season. Was the Cyclone’s leader tackler last season by a wide margin. The true leader of the defense and team.

- Cooper: First team All B12 last season. Incredible ball skills and play recognition ability. Likely turned down some major $ to remain and Cyclone.

- Verdon: Season was cut short last year due to an arm injury but when on the field, Verdon was a menace. Elite tackler and impressive size.

- Howard: Played in 4 games last season before getting injured. Highly regarded recruit out of IMG HS who also saw time as a true freshman.

- Patton: Played in multiple games last season as a true freshman. Has taken a massive step during the off season and will make an impact this year.

- Surges: Also saw time last year as a true freshman walk on. Was put on scholarship after starting the last two games of the season.

——————
Both position groups have an incredible amount of returning production and talent, with experienced/capable depth at all specific spots. Really exciting.
 

LarryISU

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Feb 10, 2013
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Nothing on TV, I put on last season's Kansas game. First drive, KU receivers wide open. Easy touchdown. I thought, who is that DB? Sure enough, he Portaled to some low level school.

In basketball we know, lose one starter and you really feel it. But it can really affect a football game, too! I'm not sure but we may have had 2 backup DBs in that game. So, predicting next years results, tell me we will be healthy and I will be a lot more hopeful.
 

Cyclonsin

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I always have trouble with his takes. Obviously one of the better CFB minds, but isn’t he also an ISU fan? Hard to take some of these seriously imo
In his defense, the JP Poll is 100% a product of a forecasting model they use on his show. He'll even point out where he personally disagrees with it and how he'd change it up.

He and the model famously had VERY different opinions of Texas 2-3 years ago.

That said, a lot of his persona is to be very positive about any program he talks about, to a fault imo. And I lost a LOT of respect for his opinions after he flip-flopped on the FSU/CFP BS last season.
 

TheJackWePack5

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Oct 2, 2011
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Ankeny, IA.
Nothing on TV, I put on last season's Kansas game. First drive, KU receivers wide open. Easy touchdown. I thought, who is that DB? Sure enough, he Portaled to some low level school.

In basketball we know, lose one starter and you really feel it. But it can really affect a football game, too! I'm not sure but we may have had 2 backup DBs in that game. So, predicting next years results, tell me we will be healthy and I will be a lot more hopeful.
Really hope the younger depth can step up.

Last year it was a pretty big drop off when a DB went down.
 

ClubCy

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Apr 8, 2023
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In his defense, the JP Poll is 100% a product of a forecasting model they use on his show. He'll even point out where he personally disagrees with it and how he'd change it up.

He and the model famously had VERY different opinions of Texas 2-3 years ago.

That said, a lot of his persona is to be very positive about any program he talks about, to a fault imo. And I lost a LOT of respect for his opinions after he flip-flopped on the FSU/CFP BS last season.
Honestly this is why I like JP. I don’t need more finebaums telling everyone how much they suck because they aren’t in the conference they cover and how Miss State would win every conference not named the SEC. Tell me the ways VT can win the ACC. Let me know the path that Oklahoma State can win the Big 12 ect…

As Pate has said, what’s the point on focusing on the negatives in the spring and summer? He criticizes when a team deserves to be criticized when the games kick off.
 

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