Yeah, the talent level is the biggest issue. Our talent would be good enough to compete in the Big 10 IMO, at least get to bowl games. But the Big 12 is just loaded with talent.
For example, we think we have good RBs, but then you see Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael yesterday and realize that James White would NEVER see the field if he was at A&M. And James White is a good RB folks, don't get me wrong, but the RBs in the Big 12 are almost all elite type RBs. Now carry that kind of talent across the board to all positions on your team and you realize what ISU is up against every week.
I've been saying on here for weeks, we are going to struggle to get back to a bowl game in the new 10 team Big 12 IMO. Our schedule will be a nightmare each and every single year. Especially if we keep playing Iowa every year. Not that we can't beat Iowa, as we proved once again this year, but it's not a cupcake win that we can always count on. If we're only going to play 3 non-conference games every year, they had better be cupcakes. And as this year is pointing out, going 3-0 in the non-con probably isn't even good enough to make it bowling anymore.
We will probably never have as much talent on the field as almost everyone else in the Big 12, besides maybe KU. So, for us to win, we have to out-smart and out-coach other teams. We're doing neither of those right now. We play dumb, commit way too many turnovers and penalties, AND our OC isn't very good IMO and won't be able to outsmart any defense in this league with his predictable playcalling and scheme.
Just my opinions.