This could be a great year (long)
- Thread starter dualthreat
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To me, turnovers are our key statistic. Absolutely must improve. Our margin was -.85 last year, which ranks us number 112 in that stat. 24 turnovers gained. 35 lost.
Funny enough, we did beat Notre Dame (#118), who had 14 gained and 29 lost. Them and Florida are the only two note-worthy programs we beat in this category.
Full stats
Funny enough, we did beat Notre Dame (#118), who had 14 gained and 29 lost. Them and Florida are the only two note-worthy programs we beat in this category.
Full stats
Three Key Unknowns to 2012:
1. Quarterback play
Offense has to be better, and most of that is on the QB right now. Receivers and backs are solid, O-line looks to be OK.
2. Defensive line
Linebackers and secondary are very good already. If the D-line is good, this should be a top-20 defense that can win games almost by itself.
3. Placekicker
New guy. Need to hit FGs to win close games and win on the road.
If all 3 of these end up being strengths, it will be a GREAT year. If all are weaknesses, then no bowl. If some are good and some are not, then 6-7 wins probably.
1. Quarterback play
Offense has to be better, and most of that is on the QB right now. Receivers and backs are solid, O-line looks to be OK.
2. Defensive line
Linebackers and secondary are very good already. If the D-line is good, this should be a top-20 defense that can win games almost by itself.
3. Placekicker
New guy. Need to hit FGs to win close games and win on the road.
If all 3 of these end up being strengths, it will be a GREAT year. If all are weaknesses, then no bowl. If some are good and some are not, then 6-7 wins probably.
If your QB is throwing to open spaces, the the other team, and putting the ball on the ground when he has time, there isnt much line play can do to help that.
You pretty much nailed it.
I would include a No. 4, special teams, an oft-overlooked category. Loving the baby steps in progress I've seen in Rhoads era. Placekicker is a big unknown, but it's not like we've had world-class performers very often (I think last couple years have been reliable at least on PATs, which is nice). Solid punter, potential in return game, coverage seems good, not afraid to use well-timed gadgets (onside, fake punts).
Auburn went from 8-5 to national champions to 8-5 again. What was the difference for them in that 2nd year? Improved OL play? Or was it a Heisman trophy winning QB?
Obviously you need a serviceable OL to keep your QB upright, but if your QBs can't complete better than 55% of their passes for more than 5 or 6 yards per attempt and have a TD:INT ratio of roughly 1:1, then your OL play is moot.
If we would have had a middle of the road Big XII QB last season, we probably beat KSU, and have a fighting chance at taking down UT, OU, and aTm too.
Just out of curiosity, do you know Cole netton? I'm holding out hope that he'll be the next kirby van der kamp.
Mahoney didn't get the credit he deserved as our kicker. He may have only been 60% as a field goal kicker which is lousy but he was 100% on fake kickoffs. That will be sorely missed.
You mean, like punting was when when Kirby Vanderkamp came in as a true freshman? Why are people willing to risk embarassing themselves so?
You're right, it's totally embarrassing to make a point that a freshman might come in and struggle. Cuz that never happens.
Well done sir.
I agree with 1 completely. We need to have a guy who can be safe with the football. Our offense doesn't need a flashy big arm, dazzling playmaker at QB, we need a guy who can get the play to our playmakers in space. Our O-Line has great depth and I'm excited to see what they can do.
Our D-Line can only go up from last year IMO. We were very mediocre and we have some great talent coming back. McDonough will be very good along with Laing. Maggitt will hopefully return in full stride. Morrissey and Irving have great potential. We will see 6 or 7 guys at least per game on the D-Line, showing off some great depth that ISU really has never had. Losing LJ and Benton is a big blow to our D-Backs and I'm not as confident as you are, but CPR has produced great D-Backs so far and I don't see why that changes.
Cole Netten needs to make every extra point this season. I just want an ISU kicker to do that one time in my lifetime. Not sure how great he will be, but if he can be adequate, it could go along way. We could be in a lot of close ballgames this fall.
Only thing I disagree with most on here is the play of Jantz. Physically he may have more potential than Barnett, but mentally I think he has less potential than Barnett. He tends to try & throw into crowds, or hit receivers after they have been open...instead of hitting a receiver as he's becoming open. Big difference. I think the game moves to fast for him mentally & I don't see him improving from here. I'd be very nervous for us if he is named the starter this year.
I'm going to get shot down for saying this but I think we could realistically win 10 or 11 games. This will be by far cprs best team and some of our opponents will be really down. With what we acomplished last year i think it is very doable. Not sure where that would put us in the bowls but that would be awesome. Think positive folks
So does Jantz or Barnett win the Heisman in that situation? Maybe Jeremy Reeves goes Honey Badger?
I think its a Hawk troll trying to make us look stupid. Username = ISUbaseball, predicting a Big 12 title. Gotta be.
