That is fine. But unless the game is local, nobody should expect fans to drive far or fly and spend significant money to watch essentially a spring practice game.
More 4-man in 2024 for the Cyclones?
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Many people treat bowl games as a vacation and the bowl game is only part of the experience.
It's important for Big12 bowl alliances to be in destination locations. Memphis & Shreveport are not really destination towns. One benefit of bigger conferences is schools playing in same bowl will happen less frequently.
But who knows what future of bowls will be once the 12 team playoff happens. And IMO the playoff will be 16 teams by 2030ish.
I think he had the highest highs at LB but Vaughn was much more consistent plus he was asked to play more than Bacon was. Bacon also had those two dropped INTs against KSU on the same drive
It is sport. **** like that happens. Remember UAB and Hampton in basketball. I think the “bowl games don’t matter” narrative is being over played. These are college age kids experiencing new things at the same time they are focusing on a bowl game. We had an exceptionally young team. First bowl for many. Memphis was playing a home game and we didn’t play well at all. Somebody's got to lose. Memphis was better that day, but I think we beat them 8 out of 10 times or more. Lesson learned. Play better or get beat.
Good discussion on Williams and Blum today regarding the 4 man front. Some thoughts I have regarding this years defense and the potential new formations:
- When used, I anticipate the look to be a 4-2-5, given that Verdon/Freyler/Cooper are three of the best players on ISU’s defense and we want them on the field as much as possible. Depth at safety is also in a good spot with Patton/Surges/Howard.
- Depth at LB this year is a bit of a question mark. Moving towards a more frequent 4-2-5 will help hide that potential hole in the defense…. Sadowsky, Bacon and McLaughlin all played several snaps last year, but behind them, ISU is pretty young/unproven. However, we have heard good things about both Kooper Ebel and Cael Brezina.
- Obviously, a 4 man front will help in getting some more consistent, natural, pressure on QBs. Which was missing last year. Excited to see how Snyder will fit in, and how guys like Ikenna Ezeogu and Samuel Same are coming along at those true “Edge” spots.
- When used, I anticipate the look to be a 4-2-5, given that Verdon/Freyler/Cooper are three of the best players on ISU’s defense and we want them on the field as much as possible. Depth at safety is also in a good spot with Patton/Surges/Howard.
- Depth at LB this year is a bit of a question mark. Moving towards a more frequent 4-2-5 will help hide that potential hole in the defense…. Sadowsky, Bacon and McLaughlin all played several snaps last year, but behind them, ISU is pretty young/unproven. However, we have heard good things about both Kooper Ebel and Cael Brezina.
- Obviously, a 4 man front will help in getting some more consistent, natural, pressure on QBs. Which was missing last year. Excited to see how Snyder will fit in, and how guys like Ikenna Ezeogu and Samuel Same are coming along at those true “Edge” spots.
Really intrigued for heights/weights, because i have heard that Same has put on significant weight, without losing speed
That would be massive. We have a lot of guys on the DL with a ton of power and size. Need to add some guys with burst/speed and some bend coming off too. Hoping Same and Snyder can do that.
Having an effective DL that can add some pass rush ability will help negate the LB inexperience. Obviously Mclaughlin has had some decent run, but behind him there isnt a ton of snaps there. I do think both Mclaughlin and Sadowsky take decent steps forward this year
Agreed. I was honestly impressed with McLaughlin at the tail end of last year. Sadowsky… not so much. But like you said I anticipate they both take a step.
Who are the LB's that are hurt? I seem to remember something about losing one or two for the year
