ISU vs Baylor Meltdown Thread - Only Game-Related Thread Allowed

[Cat4ISU]

Come on ISU buck up, beat the crap out of Nebraska and A&M!!!!

YEAH!

Is it frustrating to be a clone fan? Yes.
Are we tired of loss after painful loss? Yes.
Does it seem unfair to pay more and get less? Yes.
Will I be at the Nebraska game cheering on the Cyclones like we're undefeated? Yes.
Will I quit on the Cyclones when things aren't going my way like Bates did? No.

 

[ultracreative]

Good God we looked like total crap.

Still a fan. Still believe, but G_dang.

Oh what was that?! Oh hi Nebraska.

 

[gregniowa]

I cannot believe the number of posters who think we lost by 28 points, gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown, committed several dozen false starts, and let the Baylor QB complete something like 99.9% of his passes all because one player -- who didn't even play in the last game -- quit the team.

A lack of passion or emotion on the part of the players is not what is at the root of the problems, rather, it's the lack of regular execution of many of the most basic of football fundamentals. Considering the recruiting challenges facing any ISU coaching staff, it is not suprising, and even expected, that we will see Cyclone players beat out at times by sheer superior athleticism when playing higer ranked teams. But to be regularly defeated, posession after possession, because of horrible one arm tackling, receivers that will not keep their attention on the ball and off the defender when catching the ball, awful special teams player positioning downfield on defense on punt and kickoff returns, etc., is reason to complain.

Often, the play quality looks more like lower level JuCo stuff than Division 1 team fundamentals. This type of stuff is basics in High School ball. You can weight train all you want, but you still cannot tackle a decent opposition running back with one hand or arm.

The off line seems more physically capable of controlling the line in protecting thje QB than in the more recent years, and there are other improvements, but the basics of catching the ball under pressure (which is most of the time) is often atrocious.

Recruiting higher grade talent can happen over time, and is not fully controllable. But the execution of proper football fundamentals by the talent you have is controllable if proper focus is placed upon it. It's time for the Cyclone coaching staff to get back to the old school Lombardi and Blaik blocking and tackling fundamentals and insist in perfect execution of those simple and vital fundamentals. Otherwise, we will be left with little but watching naturally less capable players from the lower recruting ranks playing undisciplined football against "real" Div 1 teams.

On the other hand, football history is rife with records of less naturally gifted players and teams succeeding due to their mastery of the fundamentals coupled with inspired coaching. A lack of real discipline re: football basics cannot be offset by being "fired up enough" - at least not when playing capable contenders. And if the fundamentals are not improved upon, there is no pep talk enthusiastic enough to get players or fans excited about playing the game, even less playing any of the "big dogs" in the conference.

 

[volclone]

Can we get into the Missouri Valley conference next year? That is where our tallent suggests we should be.

 

[dustinal]

Can we get into the Missouri Valley conference next year? That is where our tallent suggests we should be.

You can stop anytime. We get it: you're pissed off.

 

[volclone]

Thanks. I'm out.

 

[1100011CS]

Wow, good first post.

A lack of passion or emotion on the part of the players is not what is at the root of the problems, rather, it's the lack of regular execution of many of the most basic of football fundamentals. Considering the recruiting challenges facing any ISU coaching staff, it is not suprising, and even expected, that we will see Cyclone players beat out at times by sheer superior athleticism when playing higer ranked teams. But to be regularly defeated, posession after possession, because of horrible one arm tackling, receivers that will not keep their attention on the ball and off the defender when catching the ball, awful special teams player positioning downfield on defense on punt and kickoff returns, etc., is reason to complain.

Often, the play quality looks more like lower level JuCo stuff than Division 1 team fundamentals. This type of stuff is basics in High School ball. You can weight train all you want, but you still cannot tackle a decent opposition running back with one hand or arm.

The off line seems more physically capable of controlling the line in protecting thje QB than in the more recent years, and there are other improvements, but the basics of catching the ball under pressure (which is most of the time) is often atrocious.

Recruiting higher grade talent can happen over time, and is not fully controllable. But the execution of proper football fundamentals by the talent you have is controllable if proper focus is placed upon it. It's time for the Cyclone coaching staff to get back to the old school Lombardi and Blaik blocking and tackling fundamentals and insist in perfect execution of those simple and vital fundamentals. Otherwise, we will be left with little but watching naturally less capable players from the lower recruting ranks playing undisciplined football against "real" Div 1 teams.

On the other hand, football history is rife with records of less naturally gifted players and teams succeeding due to their mastery of the fundamentals coupled with inspired coaching. A lack of real discipline re: football basics cannot be offset by being "fired up enough" - at least not when playing capable contenders. And if the fundamentals are not improved upon, there is no pep talk enthusiastic enough to get players or fans excited about playing the game, even less playing any of the "big dogs" in the conference.

 

[Cyclones78227]

A lack of passion or emotion on the part of the players is not what is at the root of the problems, rather, it's the lack of regular execution of many of the most basic of football fundamentals. Considering the recruiting challenges facing any ISU coaching staff, it is not suprising, and even expected, that we will see Cyclone players beat out at times by sheer superior athleticism when playing higer ranked teams. But to be regularly defeated, posession after possession, because of horrible one arm tackling, receivers that will not keep their attention on the ball and off the defender when catching the ball, awful special teams player positioning downfield on defense on punt and kickoff returns, etc., is reason to complain.

Often, the play quality looks more like lower level JuCo stuff than Division 1 team fundamentals. This type of stuff is basics in High School ball. You can weight train all you want, but you still cannot tackle a decent opposition running back with one hand or arm.

The off line seems more physically capable of controlling the line in protecting thje QB than in the more recent years, and there are other improvements, but the basics of catching the ball under pressure (which is most of the time) is often atrocious.

Recruiting higher grade talent can happen over time, and is not fully controllable. But the execution of proper football fundamentals by the talent you have is controllable if proper focus is placed upon it. It's time for the Cyclone coaching staff to get back to the old school Lombardi and Blaik blocking and tackling fundamentals and insist in perfect execution of those simple and vital fundamentals. Otherwise, we will be left with little but watching naturally less capable players from the lower recruting ranks playing undisciplined football against "real" Div 1 teams.

On the other hand, football history is rife with records of less naturally gifted players and teams succeeding due to their mastery of the fundamentals coupled with inspired coaching. A lack of real discipline re: football basics cannot be offset by being "fired up enough" - at least not when playing capable contenders. And if the fundamentals are not improved upon, there is no pep talk enthusiastic enough to get players or fans excited about playing the game, even less playing any of the "big dogs" in the conference.

Great post. Iowa State has always had problems with fundementals. I was sent a file with a quote from Coach McCarney where he said that he depended on high school coaches to teach fundementals.

We need to clean it up, and that is on the coaches to do.

 

[ultracreative]

Hey, here is something that's fundamental: we are inconsistent.

 

[clones26]

well that was such a bad game I was embarassed to be out watching it, good thing I had a 120oz beer tower to smooth over my emotions...most frustrating game I have ever watched on TV (I was at the KU & Mizzou losses for the north titles)

 

[akclone]

we are bad. if we cant get up for a game that a bowl game hangs on then the coaches are to blame. we were not focused from the first snap. zero effort tonight. nobody wanted it on the ISU sideline.
Baylor wanted it and took it, we didnt give a fight at all.
I guess wearing the jersey is good enough for our players

 

[ISUAlum2002]

Boy I'm glad I didn't go through the hassle of trying to set up a way to record this game tonight while I was gone.

 

[1100011CS]

bowl game? bowl game? really?

we are bad. if we cant get up for a game that a bowl game hangs on then the coaches are to blame. we were not focused from the first snap. zero effort tonight. nobody wanted it on the ISU sideline.
Baylor wanted it and took it, we didnt give a fight at all.
I guess wearing the jersey is good enough for our players

 

[kingcy]

Boy I'm glad I didn't go through the hassle of trying to set up a way to record this game tonight while I was gone.

Sure you dont want a tape of it? I can make you one and send it to you.

 

[ISUAlum2002]

Sure you dont want a tape of it? I can make you one and send it to you.

I'll probably DVR the Mediacom replay just for a few chuckles.

 

[kingcy]

I'll probably DVR the Mediacom replay just for a few chuckles.

I'd remove anything breakable from throwing distance before watching.

 

[gregniowa]

Great post. Iowa State has always had problems with fundementals. I was sent a file with a quote from Coach McCarney where he said that he depended on high school coaches to teach fundementals.

We need to clean it up...

I share your opinion.

The good part about this is that most of the severe bloodletting can be reversed during this season if basic fundamantals are given a priority. But that does not mean it will immediately translate into a lot of wins, considering the conference we are in. But things will get better and be moving in the right direction. It is a building process.

Let's face it, there is only so much time that can be spent with student athletes during a season on top of their class load. But it does not make much sense to be significantly expanding the playbook time-wise if your receivers can't catch balls that are placed near their hands or between the numbers because they are mentally undiciplined and your defenders can't stop ball-carriers that are within their reach.

It will take an expanded playbook and the more versatile coaching that will make possible, to beat ranked teams. But it will take mastery of the basics first in order for any of that to matter. A common mistake is to try and primarly focus on macro adjustments in roster and play calling in order to achieve short term improvement when the problem is more basic and systemic. Personally, I would be very happy just to see an end to horrible play and utter collapse for halves of games due to our players' regular inability to execute the basic components of winning football. Losing ball games is one thing, but being made fools of due to a horrible execution of football fundamentals is another.

Let's face it, Oklahoma lost today too, and although that loss does not make Oklahoma fans happy, I am sure, the team played a whale of a game and it was an awesome game to watch on both sides of the ball, as a fan of the sport. Even in the shadow of a bitter loss to a close rival, Sooner fans should be immensely proud of how their team played. Similarly, it is my hope that the Cyclones can play a solid enough game in the overall, to make, win-or-lose, the future meet-ups with the well coached groups of gifted athletes in our conference worth remembering.

As a Cyclones fan, of course I want to see wins, but I want to see more consistantly better play, even more. That, and only that will pave the way for a team with real, diverse, capabilities to regularly achieve victory in the conference in the future.

 

[MontyBurns]

Wow, we have a guy, who inherited a bad program, 18 games into his tenure, and you want him fired.

If you want to know what "bad" is, look at Kansas State before Bill Snyder.

Chizik didn't inherit a very bad program. He inherited a program that had 5 winning seasons and 5 bowl games in the previous 7 years with an overall record of 43-43. Not great by any measure, but very good by ISU standards and far from "bad". It's also a program with a stadium, fan support, offices, weight rooms, and an indoor training facility that is as good or better than any in the Big 12 North with the possible exception of Nebraska.

 

[Clonefan94]

Well, here's my meltdown. I've been saying all along, this team is different from any other Cyclone team I'd ever seen. I've come to the conclusion that isn't true. This Cyclone team is just like every other one I've ever watched. Minus the early 90's can't win a game teams. I'll tell you what happens next week, and the week after. We get close enough, we see enough light at the end of the tunnel to actually believe things will change next year. Only to have our hearts ripped out again. Face it people, we are the Cyclones. We are the worst team in the Big XII and that isn't ever going to change. Yeah, we may have our years. A win here a bowl game there, but tonight just proves it. We got our ***** kicked by Baylor. Now, I'm not putting Baylor down, they kicked our *****, but at worst, this should have been a tough played game on both sides of the ball. It wasn't Baylor just kicked our *****. Well, mabye we can become a Women's basketball school. This loss really hurt us tonight. Recruiting, confidence in the team. Things aren't going to get better. No matter how much we think, ISU will always be the team you break your losing streak with, set a new completion record against, set a new passing yardage record against or rushing record. I hope I come back to some sense of calm, but right now, I'm ready to give up. No matter how much of a rebuild we want to say we are doing. Tonight was down right stupid.

 

[CheshireBear]

Hey, we've been at this point MANY times. You guys are lucky because you've at least seen some highs in your tenure in the Big 12. You guys had a key player quit on your team and school 2 days before the game and honestly, totally not trying to be a jerk, but it just seems like we're flat out a better team. This isn't going to be an overnight thing. IT sure as hell hasn't been for us. It's taken us 14 years to be THIS good and we probably still won't get to a bowl. You guys will be fine. Don't abandon ship. Continue to show up, support your team, and things will get better. I can promise you that. You guys have a great school, great fans, and a solid foundation to build on in Arnaud. I know he didn't seem that great tonight, but you guys have seen him be a real stud at times, too. Y'all will be alright.