Iowa State walks out with a win IF...

[rholtgraves]

Here are some stats: national rankings

ISUs Offense
Total offense: 118
Passing O: 101
Rushing O: 112
3rd down conversion %: 87
Sacks allowed: 113
TFL allowed: 78
Scoring: 111
Red zone TD%: 1
Time of Possession: 106
INT thrown: 94

Iowa's
Total O: 78
Passing O: 34
Rushing: 97
3rd down conversion %: 26
Sacks allowed: 8
TFL allowed: 62
Scoring: 97
Red zone TD%: 78
Time of Possession:33
INT thrown: 1

ISU Defense
Total D: 110
Passing D: 68
Rushing D: 121
3rd down: 111
RZ TD %: 78
Sacks: 71
TFL: 118
Scoring: 99
Int: last

Iowa's
Total D: 40
Passing D: 94
Rushing D: 9
3rd down: 36
RZ TD %: 1
Sacks: 13
TFL: 10
Scoring: 43
Int: 38

 

[ThatllDoCy]

Ok, so, if I am reading all the predictions right, we could win based on a superior kicking game? This has to be a first.

 

[MuseumFaux]

I know that 3rd down conversions has been said already, but I say possession downs on both sides of the ball. If we can convert our 3rd downs (or stay out of them with early down conversions) and our defense can get some quality stops this game is very winnable. Those 3 and out's followed by long successful drives by the other team are such killers.

 

[Gossamer]

...our coaches actually coach an entire game, make adjustments at the half and play to win...instead of not to lose.

 

[Section110]

Here's some more stats that I borrowed from HN. It's pretty obvious who should win this game. Who does win this game is a completely different story. It always seems to be up for grabs.

	Iowa	ISU
Offense:
Rushing Yards Per Attempt	4.06	3.29
Passing Yards Per Attempt	6.2	5.7
3rd Down Conversion %	51.52%	38.46
Red Zone Conversions	7/12, 6 TD, 1FG	4/4, 4TD
Plays 10+ Yards	30	21
Plays 20+ Yards	4	2
Sacks Allowed	1	6
Tackles for Loss Allowed	10	12
Defense
Rushing Yards Per Attempt Given Up	1.89	6.28
Passing Yards Per Attempt Given Up	7.6	7.8
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion %	31.25%	51.72%
Opponent Red Zone Conversions	5/5, 5FG	9/9, 6TD, 3FG
Plays 10+ Yards Given Up	19	27
Plays 20+ Yards Given Up	9	10
Sacks	7	3
Tackles for Loss	17	5
Other
Average Time of Possession	32:10.50	27:03.50
Penalty Yards Per Game	32.5	43.0
Turnover Margin	0	-3

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Great stats, but a 2 game sample against different competition. Now, I doubt 110 knows what that means, but he is a lost cause anyways. Would Iowa be 2-0 playing NDSU and KSU? Maybe, maybe not, but their stats certainly would take a hit. Good thing is the two teams get to play so we will find out soon enough.

 

[Section110]

Great stats, but a 2 game sample against different competition. Now, I doubt 110 knows what that means, but he is a lost cause anyways. Would Iowa be 2-0 playing NDSU and KSU? Maybe, maybe not, but their stats certainly would take a hit. Good thing is the two teams get to play so we will find out soon enough.

Strength of schedule argument from a Cyclone fan!? No way!

Personally, I don't think KState and NDSU are as good as everyone on this board thinks they are. I think NDSU is a damn good team at their level, and they'll likely compete for a title, but I don't believe they are as good as they were last year. I'd love to see NDSU play UNI in the playoffs. That would be interesting to watch. Hopefully both teams stay healthy and meet each other there.

KState is probably gonna get smoked by Auburn.

Time will tell. If I'm wrong I'll gladly eat a fat helping of crow. You have my word.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Strength of schedule argument from a Cyclone fan!? No way!

Personally, I don't think KState and NDSU are as good as everyone on this board thinks they are. I think NDSU is a damn good team at their level, and they'll likely compete for a title, but I don't believe they are as good as they were last year. I'd love to see NDSU play UNI in the playoffs. That would be interesting to watch. Hopefully both teams stay healthy and meet each other there.

KState is probably gonna get smoked by Auburn.

Time will tell. If I'm wrong I'll gladly eat a fat helping of crow. You have my word.

It does not matter how good NDSU and KSU are overall, but whether they are better than UNI and Ball St.

 

[Section110]

It does not matter how good NDSU and KSU are overall, but whether they are better than UNI and Ball St.

I don't think there's any question Ball State is probably worse than both NDSU and K-State. However, I believe UNI and NDSU are pretty darn even. That's why I'd love to see them play each other.

 

[VeloClone]

Team Rankings has ISU's SOS at 19 thus far with Iowa sitting at 59.
Steele has ISU 6th and Iowa 70th, but that is for the entire season, not just the first two games.
Jeff Sagarin has ISU SOS 20th and Iowa SOS 94th. Remember that he does not include FCS games.
Cosgrove has ISU SOS 20th and Iowa SOS 70th.

FWIW, which isn't much.

 

[FreeBorn]

Great stats, but a 2 game sample against different competition. Now, I doubt 110 knows what that means, but he is a lost cause anyways. Would Iowa be 2-0 playing NDSU and KSU? Maybe, maybe not, but their stats certainly would take a hit. Good thing is the two teams get to play so we will find out soon enough.

No, I think they'd be 0 and 2. Ndsu is better than Uni.

 

[heitclone]

Strength of schedule argument from a Cyclone fan!? No way!

Personally, I don't think KState and NDSU are as good as everyone on this board thinks they are. I think NDSU is a damn good team at their level, and they'll likely compete for a title, but I don't believe they are as good as they were last year. I'd love to see NDSU play UNI in the playoffs. That would be interesting to watch. Hopefully both teams stay healthy and meet each other there.

KState is probably gonna get smoked by Auburn.

Time will tell. If I'm wrong I'll gladly eat a fat helping of crow. You have my word.

Yea, losing to a top 5 team would really expose K State lol Love how you completely dodged Ball State

 

[CyTwins]

]I don't think there's any question Ball State is probably worse than both NDSU and K-State. [/B]However, I believe UNI and NDSU are pretty darn even. That's why I'd love to see them play each other.

How do you start out a sentence saying "I don't think there's any question" and then say that Ball State is "probably" worse?

 

[Judoka]

Ok, so, if I am reading all the predictions right, we could win based on a superior kicking game? This has to be a first.

Does the name 'Shaggy' mean anything to you?

 

[LutherBlue]

I don't think there's any question Ball State is probably worse than both NDSU and K-State. However, I believe UNI and NDSU are pretty darn even. That's why I'd love to see them play each other.

They play on Nov. 8 in the dome so I guess we'll see.

 

[FreeBorn]

Then why are most fans wanting the backup in there and why did Kirk play him?

Kirk played him only one series because he's delusional.

 

[LutherBlue]

This is how you beat Iowa.

Use multiple fronts coming at Iowa from different angles and do not turn the ball over. Also, don't be afraid to let Iowa kick FG's because they can't do it.

Ball State gave Iowa fits on offense but throwing different looks at them and Iowa couldn't pick it up and it forced Jake Ruddock to check down often.

Iowa's defense is extremely good so you can't make mistakes on offense and have to score points in the red zone.

Of course I could be totally wrong and Iowa unleashes something we've not seen this season but right now Iowa isn't a very solid unit overall. That's the facts.

What would be the alternative? Let them score TDs?

 

[FreeBorn]

This guy knows what he's talking about.

It seems to me that whoever says the Cyclones need to shut down the run in order to win hasn't watched Iowa's first two games. They've passed a heck of a lot more than they've ran because they've struggled to run. When you look at Rudock's numbers it's pretty clear he's passed the ball very well also.

Now, if Iowa manages to get the running game going on Saturday then that will certainly cause more problems for ISU, but all the evidence from Iowa's first two games points to a team that appears to be much more comfortable passing the ball than running it. Which is interesting because that's not usually Iowa football under KF. Anyways, I think for this year's matchup ISU would be much better off shutting down the pass and forcing Iowa to try to run. Especially with Scherff out of the game.

As long as Iowa's offense has no strategy, like in the first two games, this sets up well for the clones.

If Iowa utilizes the weapons they have on offense, the clones will lose by 21 points.

 

[CyTwins]

As long as Iowa's offense has no strategy, like in the first two games, this sets up well for the clones.

If Iowa utilizes the weapons they have on offense, the clones will lose by 21 points.

What weapons does Iowa have on offense?

 

[FreeBorn]

Strength of schedule argument from a Cyclone fan!? No way!

Personally, I don't think KState and NDSU are as good as everyone on this board thinks they are. I think NDSU is a damn good team at their level, and they'll likely compete for a title, but I don't believe they are as good as they were last year. I'd love to see NDSU play UNI in the playoffs. That would be interesting to watch. Hopefully both teams stay healthy and meet each other there.

KState is probably gonna get smoked by Auburn.

Time will tell. If I'm wrong I'll gladly eat a fat helping of crow. You have my word.

You really think Iowa would be 2-0 if they'd played those teams?