SUCKTEMBER: Matt Campbell Teams not ready to start the season.

[TopCy]

The easy answer to this is that the coaching staff doesn't care about the non-conference as much as they do about conference games. They use the non-con like NFL preseason, and results are less important than improvement. As several people have stated, it's perfectly legitimate to be upset about how we start, but you won't change their viewpoint.

Fans care more because A) they have unrealistic expectations that we can win every game, which is nearly impossible and B) they have to listen to Iowa fans around them brag about the wins. I don't live in Iowa, so I'm sure that's frustrating, but I will say my life got a lot happier when I quit building a big chunk of my identity around rooting for the Hawkeyes to lose.

 

[Gunnerclone]

The easy answer to this is that the coaching staff doesn't care about the non-conference as much as they do about conference games. They use the non-con like NFL preseason, and results are less important than improvement. As several people have stated, it's perfectly legitimate to be upset about how we start, but you won't change their viewpoint.

Fans care more because A) they have unrealistic expectations that we can win every game, which is nearly impossible and B) they have to listen to Iowa fans around them brag about the wins. I don't live in Iowa, so I'm sure that's frustrating, but I will say my life got a lot happier when I quit building a big chunk of my identity around rooting for the Hawkeyes to lose.

Honestly beating UNI by 6 and only scoring 16 points AT HOME is more embarrassing than losing to Iowa.

 

[MeanDean]

We all love CMC and what he's done for the program.

That said, it's ******* frustrating, as a fan, to come out of the gate like a 12 year old nag.

 

[cymonw1980]

Now that we’re in to Brocktober I think it’s a good time to reflect on another ISU football tradition: SUCKtember.

There is no good explanation for our struggles other than a lack of preparation and the failure of the coaching staff to make the necessary adjustments to JUST WIN. “The process” shouldn’t include throwing away games with inexplicable errors, playing in a way that doesn’t mesh with what we do the rest of the season.

Sucktember shouldn’t be an open audition for special teams. It shouldn’t be a time to “get our feet under us”. It shouldn’t be a time to just try to keep things close and hopefully be close enough at the end to pull out a game we’ve been getting beat down in for 3 1/2 Quarters.

If we struggle against cupcakes, and we get stomped by Iowa again next season, serious questions will have to be asked and changes will have to be made. Specifically moving on from Tom Manning and going out and getting a special teams coach that can not only coach special teams well, but also go out on the trail and get guys that can kick the ball off successfully and punt the ball successfully.

No more wasted seasons and wasted games.

CMC is the 2nd coach with a winning record in conf games at ISU in 100 years (Sam Willaman 0.522, 1922-1925 is the other). So, I am confident he will get it figured out in time. Just hope we are able to keep him and he retires at ISU!

That said, Sep is very frustrating... Not sure what the answer is, but the plan this off season (decided to lower work load, trying to be fresher entering season) did not seem to be the answer. They will need to continue to evaluate this and figure it out. I hope they do it sooner rather than later... but bottom line, this is the best sustained success at ISU in the modern era. I think we just need to be patient and trust "the process". They'll get it done.

Couple of things I noticed...

1) We rarely make huge changes to starting jobs in the offseason... for example, Breece Hall (2019) had a total of 18 carries in the first 5 games (less than 4/game), then he took over in Oct and averaged 21 carries / game the rest of the way. This year I was very pessimistic that Foster was the answer at tackle... but the coaching staff was high on him... until Oct. Now we have a new tackle after the bye. Somehow we need to do a better job identify guys in fall camp vs. after Sep games...

2) It feels like timing is off, we look out of sync, etc. on offense in Sep. Then we start clicking... not sure if this is a player issue or scheme issue. But, we need to get this worked out in fall camp and be ready to go game 1... I know everyone has some of this in game 1, but it feels like it takes us 4 games to get in gear.

Here is our record in the month of Sep since 2016 compared with all other months and overall (it's brutal):

 

[ISU_Guy]

Good post gunnerclone. this all is so head scratching.

i think the part that is the most frustrating is how much the slow starts were being publicly mentioned on tv and in the papers/social media before the season started.

its like everyone sees it coming, but the team.

the team makes it impossible to get to the playoffs due to the slow start and makes it much harder to win the league by dropping a game they shouldn't because of stupid mistakes.

then it seems like the team gets upset nobody believes in them and starts playing with a chip on their shoulder.

its almost like we don't know how to be the hunted and better team so we self sabotage September....lol

 

[Gunnerclone]

CMC is the 2nd coach with a winning record in conf games at ISU in 100 years (Sam Willaman 0.522, 1922-1925 is the other). So, I am confident he will get it figured out in time. Just hope we are able to keep him and he retires at ISU!

That said, Sep is very frustrating... Not sure what the answer is, but the plan this off season (decided to lower work load, trying to be fresher entering season) did not seem to be the answer. They will need to continue to evaluate this and figure it out. I hope they do it sooner rather than later... but bottom line, this is the best sustained success at ISU in the modern era. I think we just need to be patient and trust "the process". They'll get it done.

Couple of things I noticed...

1) We rarely make huge changes to starting jobs in the offseason... for example, Breece Hall (2019) had a total of 18 carries in the first 5 games (less than 4/game), then he took over in Oct and averaged 21 carries / game the rest of the way. This year I was very pessimistic that Foster was the answer at tackle... but the coaching staff was high on him... until Oct. Now we have a new tackle after the bye. Somehow we need to do a better job identify guys in fall camp vs. after Sep games...

2) It feels like timing is off, we look out of sync, etc. on offense in Sep. Then we start clicking... not sure if this is a player issue or scheme issue. But, we need to get this worked out in fall camp and be ready to go game 1... I know everyone has some of this in game 1, but it feels like it takes us 4 games to get in gear.

Here is our record in the month of Sep since 2016 compared with all other months and overall (it's brutal):

View attachment 91123

Thanks for the table; that is eye opening. Yikes.

 

[TopCy]

Honestly beating UNI by 6 and only scoring 16 points AT HOME is more embarrassing than losing to Iowa.

Understandable. Like I said, I don't think the coaching staff cared about the score in that game, and they wouldn't have changed their approach even if we lost. They used it to identify what they needed to work on to be good right now (in October/November) and give them the best chance to win the conference. I'd assume they were more upset about the Baylor game than UNI/Iowa.

 

[brentblum]

One potential logical reason that I've heard mentioned by the staff is the UNI and Iowa defenses are very different from what Iowa State practices against on a daily basis in fall camp. The UNI and Iowa defenses have taken advantage of Iowa State's timing being just a little off and don't allow the big play, which has created slogs for games over the years. Couple that with Hall being banged up and Kolar not at 100 percent and Downing getting his first action in over a year and there are some actual reasons for the slow start this year. Just my two cents.

 

[cyfan92]

If ISU went 4-5 wide and ran the Purdue offense in weeks 1-3.. We would start a lot better. But would that throw off our October and November successes?

I want Iowa every year. But if we want to win 10 games. It starts with not scheduling UNI in week 1 and continuing to schedule the UNLV's of the world. Pony up and buy some wins

 

[Gunnerclone]

If ISU went 4-5 wide and ran the Purdue offense in weeks 1-3.. We would start a lot better. But would that throw off our October and November successes?

I want Iowa every year. But if we want to win 10 games. It starts with not scheduling UNI in week 1 and continuing to schedule the UNLV's of the world. Pony up and buy some wins

100% this. Let Iowa schedule UNI for awhile.

 

[cyfan92]

100% this. Let Iowa schedule UNI for awhile.

No upside to scheduling UNI. I love the 2022 schedule in that aspect. Home against SE Missouri, at Iowa and home against Ohio (Terrible MAC team). Give me the worst MAC and Mtn West team every day and twice on Sunday before playing a top FCS team that has all off season to "get up" for a "rivalry" game.

2019 was the only year I can think of where we started with at least 3 straight non-con home or neutral site games. Looking out, 2026 is the first opportunity to due that unless we renew the Iowa series.

Pollard, sent us an email and ask for $1M to buy some home wins against a non-UNI team to open. I bet he'd raise that in 30 minutes.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

100% this. Let Iowa schedule UNI for awhile.

Frankly, from a UNI perspective, we're sick of it too. There are plenty of other schools that we can play that buy game against and going to Ames and Iowa City all the time gets repetitive and boring when we see other league teams getting some variety.

Playing Air Force next year is going to be a giant breath of fresh air.

UNI and Iowa State 'only' have 3 future games on the books (23, 26, 28) so maybe it's turning a little bit...

 

[cyc26]

Prediction/What ISU Needs to do to Win vs. Okie State:



Offense (what is needed):

As we have noticed the last couple weeks, both Breece and Charlie Kolar are finally getting back to full health after some early fall dings/knicks. This was clear against KSU (Breece 200+ yards and Kolar the clear go-to guy on big 3rd downs). After watching the Okie State vs. Texas game last week, I assume the Cowboys will come in with a relatively identical scheme. Last week they brought pressure with linebackers and cornerbacks on several downs. They attempted to commit to stopping the run but with guys like Breece and Bijan, that is tough to do. With that being said, I think a big key to the game will be Brock’s mobility. OSU will bring pressure and at times when that pressure gets through on 2nd and long/ 3rd down Brock will need to create with his legs. This was the case in Brock’s first college game at Oklahoma State in 2018, he rushed 19 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. To be successful on OL must continued to improve and blocking must be sound, especially from the RBs either Breece or Jirehl when picking up blitzers. I trust X and Charlie to get open and Brock will find them with time.



Offense (what will happen):

Breece will finish with just over 100 yards and a touchdown but will be more involved in the receiving game picking up a couple big plays. Charlie Kolar will finish with 6 catches for 60 plus yards and a touchdown. X and Noel will be workmanlike, and both come up big on a couple third downs. Brock will finish with another efficient game through the air and 40 yards plus on the ground, adding a rushing touchdown.



Defense (what is needed to win):

Spencer Sanders is turnover prone and to be successful Iowa State must force him/allow him to make these turnovers and bad decisions. OSU will not have the luxury of giving Jaylen Warren 33 carries, Unlike the Texas game they will be stuck in third/second in long and will be forced to pass. The CB2s, Like Speedy and TJ Tampa will need to step up to contain OSU’s quick WR’s. Big games from the DL like Will Mcd, and Enyi are needed to force Sanders out of the pocket and to make tough throws. Hummel, Rose, Vance and Dae Dae Make tackles to limit place for the Cowboys. The secondary must be surehanded on potential interceptions that will be crucial in the game.



Defense (what will happen):

Standers throws two interceptions, one with a huge game changing return. Greg E. has a monster game and racks up 9+ tackles. both will and any get to Sanders a couple times and force some bad throws. Jaylen Warren is held to just around 100 yards and only 1 long run. the sellout crowd makes it difficult on the Oklahoma State offense, but the cyclones secondary gets beat on a couple long throws from Sanders out of the pocket.



Final Score: Iowa State 27 - Oklahoma State 23

 

[hoosman]

I would give the defense a pass on Sucktober. ST and Offense are poorly prepared every year. Might as well replace Iowa with Western Michigan, since we will probably never beat them again with current staffing assignments.

 

[nrg4isu]

Possible reasons:

1. Coaching staff prioritizes player development over winning in early season games
2. Game plans are kept overly simple (both for player development and keeping plays hidden for later opponents
3. Non-con opponents are so different from the rest that our team isn't built to compete against them
4. Bad luck
5. Jitters - the players/coaches etc are just not mentally ready for these games
6. ISU does a poor job getting team ready in fall camp (physically, game plan, etc)
7. Coaching staff relies heavily on scouting opponent and there's no tape yet for that

I listed these in the order of likelihood in my opinion. I think the first 3 are the biggest factors and the first 2 are intentional.

 

[isufanz1]

One potential logical reason that I've heard mentioned by the staff is the UNI and Iowa defenses are very different from what Iowa State practices against on a daily basis in fall camp. The UNI and Iowa defenses have taken advantage of Iowa State's timing being just a little off and don't allow the big play, which has created slogs for games over the years. Couple that with Hall being banged up and Kolar not at 100 percent and Downing getting his first action in over a year and there are some actual reasons for the slow start this year. Just my two cents.

I could buy this argument from the staff if this year would have been a normal year and we only returned 12-14 guys (takes a bit to gel; real problem against Iowa has been Purdy and turnovers + ST). However we basically returned the whole team - should not need time to gel. Everyone had seen UNI/IOWA/Baylor before and should have known what to expect. Yes Hall was banged up, but Brock is an adequate replacement. Bottom line is the slow start was caused by Purdy turnovers and poor ST play, plain and simple and things we have seen reoccur numerous times.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Yes its like beating a dead horse, but its going to continually get brought up until the staff addresses it; what ever it is.

One thing to consider, could it be the captains on the team that have caused the slow starts? Maybe they are more passive in their leadership and personality that other players don't get hyped up like they should? I have no insight, but it may not be a coaches problem.

5 years running, its a coaching problem.

 

[isufanz1]

Possible reasons:

1. Coaching staff prioritizes player development over winning in early season games
2. Game plans are kept overly simple (both for player development and keeping plays hidden for later opponents
3. Non-con opponents are so different from the rest that our team isn't built to compete against them
4. Bad luck
5. Jitters - the players/coaches etc are just not mentally ready for these games
6. ISU does a poor job getting team ready in fall camp (physically, game plan, etc)
7. Coaching staff relies heavily on scouting opponent and there's no tape yet for that

I listed these in the order of likelihood in my opinion. I think the first 3 are the biggest factors and the first 2 are intentional.

Honestly I think the only reason for this season is 5&6. I throw 7 out the window everytime - there is plenty of 'tape' on UNI/IOWA to go off of from the previous year(s). As for the rest, did not see a ton of new faces so 1 is out the window, 2 should be a non-factor as everybody returned and have run this offense 2-3 yrs, and as far as 4 - if that is the case then CMC needs to work with Pollard to get better teams scheduled.

 

[nrg4isu]

Honestly I think the only reason for this season is 5&6.
I throw 7 out the window everytime - there is plenty of 'tape' on UNI/IOWA to go off of from the previous year(s). Agreed

As for the rest, did not see a ton of new faces so 1 is out the window , 2 should be a non-factor as everybody returned and have run this offense 2-3 yrs, - Disagree, we changed the focus on blocking scheme which really hurt (my opinion), also there's always player development even if they're 5th year seniors (hoping for the NFL) - I think this hurt Brock Purdy in the first 2 games

and as far as 4 - if that is the case then CMC needs to work with Pollard to get better teams scheduled. - By better do you mean easier?

Mostly agree here, my comments are in the quote

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

What annoys me the most was Campbell said they were backing off from contact in the spring and focusing on fundamentals. It was 100% the right choice IMO. We had skilled, experienced and proven starters returning. They know the plays, the know what it takes to win, so make their fundamentals perfect and let them be their best selves. But that isn't what happens. We always look pensive, especially on special teams. Attitude reflects leadership.

Hoiberg comes to mind. I have no idea how he did it, but he gave his guys a ton of confidence in their abilities. I don't feel that is Campbell's strong suit simply from body language and on the field results with several skills players over the years.

By no means do I think we throw the baby out with the bath water. I hope Campbell never leaves. This is his one glaring deficiency IMO. No one is perfect and I suspect it will get better as we win more and more through the years. I was lucky enough to be in a winning program in high school. Losing isn't even on your radar. Your focus is laser sharp and you take that win, ugly or pretty. That mentality bleeds through everyone, subconsciously.