You heard it here Cyclones by 5047. What kind of odds does that pay?
ISU -3 @ WVU
- Thread starter Al_4_State
- Start date
If Malik doesn't fit your idea of a big physical safety, then no one on the roster does.
ISU has won its last 6 true road games...just saying...
He is, no doubt. But you will see Patton get more downs than usual tomorrow night because it takes X number of hits away from Malik. If it’s a close game they want a healthy and fresh Malik on the field in the 4th quarter.
Here's a tidbit i learned from listening to 3 guys before the game. WVU's oline is the highest rated oline in the country according to PFF. Wyatt milum, wvu;s left tackle and future 1st round pick is the 2nd highest ranked offensive lineman in the country.
WVU will run the ball, and if/when ISu brings up the safeties to help, GG will take shots deep. I think WVU's success on offense is dependent on controlling the los, forcing ISU's safeties up, and GG connecting on those deep shots.
that said, the only hope wvu has of stopping ISU's offense is if it goes conservative and tries to establish the run.
WVU will run the ball, and if/when ISu brings up the safeties to help, GG will take shots deep. I think WVU's success on offense is dependent on controlling the los, forcing ISU's safeties up, and GG connecting on those deep shots.
that said, the only hope wvu has of stopping ISU's offense is if it goes conservative and tries to establish the run.
I think this is free money. West Virginia's defense is more Baylor than Houston or Iowa and while their offensive results are good, they are a bit one-dimensional. Now, I would prefer one-dimensional in the other direction for a couple of reasons. First, being very good at running the ball is much more sustainable and if we are allowing them to run with success, they aren't going to stop like Lincoln Riley would. Second, if they are successful it just makes you devote more to the running game and it could open some things up.
All that said, I just think we will be able to limit them maybe similar to Baylor where they will score, it'll be a little bit frustrating but by the end of the game we are comfortable because I think they're just too limited in the passing game to move it consistently and I'm not scared of activating safeties like we will need to do. I fully expect Heackock, maybe not right away but eventually, to throw bodies at them and force them to throw it. I'm also a little suspect of the rushing attack even though it's statistically good. You start looking at what they did against decent teams and there's some cause for optimism.
All that said, I just think we will be able to limit them maybe similar to Baylor where they will score, it'll be a little bit frustrating but by the end of the game we are comfortable because I think they're just too limited in the passing game to move it consistently and I'm not scared of activating safeties like we will need to do. I fully expect Heackock, maybe not right away but eventually, to throw bodies at them and force them to throw it. I'm also a little suspect of the rushing attack even though it's statistically good. You start looking at what they did against decent teams and there's some cause for optimism.
Yeah, I like that he is basic to start the game and as long as they are up, even or within striking distance makes no substantive changes until halftime. That makes it very difficult for offenses to readjust to the halftime changes.
Unsuspecting coach: Hey, cute snake, can I hold him?
Heacock: Sure, he's a constrictor, but nothing to worry about. He's a pussycat.
Unsuspecting coach: Yeah, he's pretty lovable.
Heacock: Drape him over your neck and I'll take a picture for you.
Unsuspecting coach: Hey, wait a minute, that's kind of tight.
Unsuspecting coach: Hey...help...mmpfh...
My biggest worry is that WVU is able to control the clock with their running game and keeping our offense off the field. So much of Rocco’s game depends on rhythm that may struggle if he’s on the bench for long periods of time. Add in our depleted LB core and I think the defense will need to take more chance with safeties coming up rather a bend but don’t break approach.
1 thing about WVU's offense, which has been better after the bye--the coaches were trying to get GG to go through his progressions against PSU and Pitt before taking off. Now, if the 1st read isnt there, he's taking off, and he is basically a rb--fastest guy on the team.
Probably should be careful about too much situational substituting. With their run game they may very well get you in a substitution you don't want long term and then go no-huddle and make it impossible for you to sub back into a more basic lineup.
ISU will let WVU run between the 20s so it feels like death by a thousand cuts but then when the field is compressed in the red zone clamp down. I expect WVU to have to settle for field goals on a few red zone possessions.
ISU favored by 3. Other Big 12 point spreads are 3, 3, 3.5 and 5.5. Gotta love this competitive league!!!
This got me curious, so I threw together a quick table for the week 7 spreads (including games that have already been played):
| AVG | MAX | >1 Score | <1 Score | |
| ACC | 10.5 | 22.5 ( Stanford @ ND) | 2 | 4 |
| B1G | 7.8 | 20 (Purdue @ Illinois) | 2 | 5 |
| XII | 3.3 | 3.5 (x3) | 0 | 5 |
| SEC | 18.1 | 34 (Miss St @ UGA) | 5 | 1 |
| AAC | 11.1 | 26.5 (UAB @ Army) | 1 | 3 |
| CUSA | 15 | 21.5 (NM St @ Jax St) | 3 | 1 |
| MAC | 6 | 9.5 (Akron @ WMU) | 2 | 4 |
| MWC | 5.5 | 21.5 (Boise @ UH) | 2 | 5 |
| SBC | 7 | 14.5 (Ark St @ Tex St) | 2 | 4 |
