The UNI game indicated that ISU would probably have a difficult time stopping teams with strong running games. It showed again the next week against Iowa. The first three quarters, Iowa controlled the ball and the game. The first thing a good defense must do is stop the running game, and ISU could not do that against teams with a strong OL and good backs. A good example is Kansas State. Their entire OL returned this year and historically they have been a power running team. They shift players around and create mismatches. I think they won 41-7 and controlled the ball for most of the game. Going into that game, it was difficult for me to be positive about the outcome. Because the front seven could not stop strong running teams, ISU started taking more risk on defense. They started putting 8 in the box, putting the corners on an island, and throwing some occasional run blitzes. Our defense needed to produce more three and outs or else the defense would spend two thirds of the game on the field. Unfortunately when the defense takes more risk, it increases the chances of giving up a big play. That is one of the reasons, ISU gave up so many big plays the last few games of the season. While it is nice that we have added two juco safeties, the front seven will also need an infusion of talent.
ISU needs help in its front seven.
- Thread starter cyborg
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A. No ****, sherlock?
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C. Grass is green.
5 of the starting front 7 never started a game at their position before this last year. Of the Dline, they lost 5-6 guys on the 2 deep. To not expect a down year from the front 7 would have been complete denial. With that said, I think everyone here would like to see some JUCO DL and a solid Juco LB commit and I think we will get some. But I feel good about returning Morressy, Coe, Jensen & Irving (If eligable) on the DL.
Agreed. We need to stop turning away the Clowneys of the world. They are lining up to come here but CPR just continues to pick up JUCO safties instead.
Don't forget that we also need to score more points than the opponent to win the game. Here's how it works. Every time you score points, then the opponent needs to also score that many points to keep up. So the more points you score, the better chance you have of winning. For example, against Baylor, they scored 71 points which made it hard for us to win because we would've had to score more than 71 points to win which is hard to do. CPR, make sure you recruit players that can score points!
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
And most of the time, in the first 6-7 games, the QB had less than 2 seconds to throw and didn't have time to look out of bounds, let alone throw it there. There were 1-2 throws a game that could have been tossed out. But there were 10 times a game where our OL broke down completely before the play developed. Our OL has to improve the most of any unit on the team (and they should if they stay healthy). Not even close. Both running the ball and pass protection.
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The defensive front really needs to hit the weights this winter and spring. They where physically manhandled way too much this year. Inexperience was pretty clear too. Hopefully with the experience from this year and some more weight room work the defense will make marked improvement before the 2014 season starts. A couple JUCOs might help, but most of the improvement is going to have to come from the guys on campus right now.
Remember that Coe and Irving were just getting use to getting in their stance at the UNI game. Next year they will be better.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Cory Morissey sure looked good at the end of the year. I think he had a sack in each of the final 3 games, although I noticed the stats did not match up and I believe someone else got credit for one of his sacks . Mitchell Meyers was pretty good for a freshman. Didn't put up much as far as stats, but he seemed to be in the right place most of the time. They both return. Kron is a good backup and he returns. Beyond that, depth at DE worries me. DT, not so much. Irving, Coe and Jensen will all be seniors. Coe was great at the end of the year. Cousin didn't look bad when he got in there. The DL will be better, but I'm still not so sure they will be good enough to stop some of the offenses we play next year. It would be nice to get some pass rush going. I don't remember having one of those since the Berryman/Curvey days!
Although this is true, our opponents also got weaker. It's kind of a wash. However, I do think we improved overall in both defense and offense. I would like to see a JUCO LB and DT/DE come in who can make an immediate impact either starting or as a backup.
If we can finish 6th or higher in the conf in total defense in 2014 we have a very good shot at a bowl. This, so long as the offense picks up where it left off at the end of the season.
I would like to get the 2 Juco LB's we are after. Harris and Brown. And the Juco DE Pierson. Those are key players. All starters IMO. The defense would be pretty good. And I'd like to see us get Campbell at QB. That guy has a real burst of speed. What an athlete. And I want a great OC. That is my Christmas wish list.
Although the OP states the obvious, it still is the truth. There is no trick to how Iowa wins games for example... they are very tough on the OL and the front 7 on defense. That, all by itself, will win you quite a few games.
However, you can't discount all the OL injuries we had this year. How would Iowa have done if they lost 4 of their starting 5 OL? Horrible, that's how. They'd be sitting at 3 wins right now too.
But we still need to develop our OL better. Klenakis was supposedly going to bring a nastiness and toughness, but I didn't see that much at all this year. That needs to change.
However, you can't discount all the OL injuries we had this year. How would Iowa have done if they lost 4 of their starting 5 OL? Horrible, that's how. They'd be sitting at 3 wins right now too.
But we still need to develop our OL better. Klenakis was supposedly going to bring a nastiness and toughness, but I didn't see that much at all this year. That needs to change.
