Did the high expectations kill this season?
- Thread starter cyfan50438
- Start date
Same thing happened last year too. We missed several FGs, had some awful turnovers, gave up tons of yards and TDs on punts and kickoffs. Somehow we seemed to pull out wins. We started off 3-2 last year. Its still possible to go on a run. But yeah, just wished these were things we could have cleaned up over last year, but we didnt
I think there is certainly some truth to this. It's essentially what Iowa has been doing the last 15 years close. Play conservative, keep the game close and hope things fall your way in the end. Sometimes years they do and you have a Top 10 type year. Other years they don't.
With that said, I think where so much of the frustration lies here in the predictability of it. Bad special teams play and slow starts in September have been an issue since Campbell got here and it's really confounding how these things haven't been addressed. That's a fair criticism. So while it's understandable that sometimes you catch breaks and sometimes you don't, that doesn't absolve the coaching staff for a failure to fix issues that have been evident for several years now.
Why yikes? You seriously don't think we can kick their pathetic butts by 33? I think the spread is about right but to act like we are somehow anywhere close to KU's level is asinine.
Can? Yes.
Wiil do? Not likely.
Hope I am wrong!
ISU is 1-3 against the spread this year, with the 3 misses being way off target. Only the win @ UNLV went according to plan.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Yeah, we can, but 33 is a lot.
And neither of us is saying that we're near Kansas' level.
We didn't even kick their butts by 33 last year when Kansas was worse and we were better.
Yeah, maybe but what should expectations be when you're a couple plays from a conference title and a couple more, minus the Louisiana game, from the playoffs and you return almost everyone?
Poor special teams and offense have killed the season to this point.
Poor special teams and offense have killed the season to this point.
Not giving up a special teams TD would be an improvement. We gave them one last year.
Listing to Jay Jordan's breakdown of the O-line last week got me thinking a lot about this. He's right that we have much improved talent versus prior years. And he recognizes that Manning/Campbell are trying to get the linemen to "pull" blocks this year, which is next-level and different than we've done in the past. But... why? Why implement a new wrinkle when last year worked so well?
I know that even Campbell is "learning to win", but this has been a heartbreaker so far. Still a fan, still a loyal son... but ***K! Figure it out!
I know that even Campbell is "learning to win", but this has been a heartbreaker so far. Still a fan, still a loyal son... but ***K! Figure it out!
From what I've read over the past few years, if you want to integrate multiple blocking schemes, you're looking at a few years of growing pains. It's evidently really hard to dial in all of those different concepts.
I knew that we were in trouble after game one. UNI has been a pretty accurate Litmus Test for us since...? We're just okay as a football team, which is better than bad, so that's good, I guess.
No, the expectations didn't kill it. I think more than anything - a bit of bad luck, and a bit of inconsistent play. I felt like we changed some things up - the OL blocking stuff, the going more and more to good on good in practice - and I certainly understand the why and the logic behind it...
but at the same time - it always made me feel a tad nervous because - why change what isn't broken? yes, we were and are trying to take that next step so again, I understand the logic. I just never knew quite how to feel about it.
but at the same time - it always made me feel a tad nervous because - why change what isn't broken? yes, we were and are trying to take that next step so again, I understand the logic. I just never knew quite how to feel about it.
I would say special teams, lack of a coherent offensive scheme or sense of urgency and turnovers killed this season.
My expectations for this season always has been a trip to the Sugar Bowl so that is still intact. Just need to make it tp the CCG.
My expectations for this season always has been a trip to the Sugar Bowl so that is still intact. Just need to make it tp the CCG.
We either need to make less mistakes or get more talented to overcome those mistakes.
At ISU, it's probably more doable to cut down on mistakes than go and get more talent
At ISU, it's probably more doable to cut down on mistakes than go and get more talent
That very well may be more of an indictment of our coaching staff (I know, how DARE I be critical of CMC). Many times as things start going well we tend to turn a blind eye to these types of things, thinking it'll get corrected. At this point it's more the standard. Now that expectations are here, and certainly not being lived up to, we look back and see these issues that we just thought would eventually work itself out. Think Iowa basketball and playing defense, those fans keep thinking their coach just needs the right players to play defense, when it's quite apparent the dude has little interest in teaching that aspect of the game.
But again, a few bounces our way and we are 4-0 and turning a blind eye to all of these things. Unfortunately we are at 2-2 and pissed as all hell considering all the CFP talk and expectations going into the season. If one looks back at last year however once can see multiple games where the ball bounced our way leading to the fantastic season we had.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
But we only need bounces to go our way because of major coaching/management failures, like our huge series of special teams mistakes and offensive ineptitude. Those aren't issues of breaks or bounces going our way, but us making things more difficult for ourselves than they ought to be.
