What If…?!

RagingCloner

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What if…the gambling probe did not happen and the subsequent suspensions…

Does Iowa State still enjoy such a historical season…?

I’ve pondered this question quite a bit since last years game at BYU…

Thoughts? Look forward to comments and opinions.
No, Id rather have Becht than Dekkers, and its not close
 

rednrdy

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Reading between the lines of players and coaches comments, I don't believe Dekkers was a team first type.
This comment is what led me to ultimately post this question as CMC mentioned in his post-game press conference the sideline "attitude" at TCU once Rocco went in to play and Jaylin had that "nod" which could be interpreted as "...yeah!"

I would like to note this was not meant to be solely about Hunter and his shortcomings, but interesting how things work out.
 

CloneIce

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Tough to say, we only had 1 maybe 2 seasons of legalized betting at that time. If he hadn't been caught I would bet (not literally ;) ) that it would have been a rampant issue everywhere. He was unfortunately just the first to get caught and made example of for the rest of the country.
It was and probably still is rampant in other states. The reason why this wasn’t as issue for the rest of the country is because the whole thing was cocked up by an illegal investigation by the Iowa DCI that violated all kinds of rules as well as the rights of the student athletes. That’s why the state is being sued and it will end up paying millions in damages to these athletes.
 
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Klubber

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Impossible to say, but for all the physical edges that Hunter probably had over Rocco, Rocco had the mental edge, the leadership edge and the clutch edge. So I'm going to guess no, as Rocco's advantages outweigh Hunter's advantages in winning football games.
Yep, totally agree. Nothing against Dekkers, but I really don't think he'd been able to lead those critical scoring drives where we won the game late like Rocco. Some guys are just at their best in crunch-time. You can't really teach or coach it.
 
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Drew0311

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I think Hunter has way more upside. I think Rocco has the composure we needed this year. With Hunter we could have been 13-1 in the playoffs or 7-6, 6-7 type season. Give and take type deal.
 
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EvilBetty

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Impossible to say, but for all the physical edges that Hunter probably had over Rocco, Rocco had the mental edge, the leadership edge and the clutch edge. So I'm going to guess no, as Rocco's advantages outweigh Hunter's advantages in winning football games.
dekkers was plagued by drops by WR's as much as anything. all he can do is put it in their hands, more often than not he did. had opportunities to win the texas, ksu, ku games that season just off the top of my head. key drops in critical moments in each of those games.

is what it is. he seems to be making the most of his opportunity at the lower level. hope he gets a shot to prove himself in the pros
 
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rosshm16

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Football is a fickle game for sure. In 2020 and 2024 we win a lot of close games and these are historically great years, in 2021 and 2022 we lose a lot of close games and these are disappointing years.

A few plays made/not made or a few 50/50 calls go the other way and all of these seasons can be very different, record-wise.
 
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ghyland7

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Hunter had more arm talent than Rocco, Brock, and probably just about every QB in the Campbell era other than maybe Jacob Park.

Arm talent wows nfl scouts (and fanatical fans). I think that Rocco is pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of physical talent compared to most of the other QBs in Campbells tenure, but he has an ELITE mindset and leadership ability.

We don’t win 11 games because our scheme is so superior or because our team is so much more talented. Rocco plays his best ball when the game is on the line, and that’s a really rare trait.
 

ISUTex

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What if…the gambling probe did not happen and the subsequent suspensions…

Does Iowa State still enjoy such a historical season…?

I’ve pondered this question quite a bit since last years game at BYU…

Thoughts? Look forward to comments and opinions.

Hunter Dekkers might still be our starting QB. Yikes. Glad we have Rocco. Would've been nice to have had J. Brock.
 

BoxsterCy

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Impossible to say, but for all the physical edges that Hunter probably had over Rocco, Rocco had the mental edge, the leadership edge and the clutch edge. So I'm going to guess no, as Rocco's advantages outweigh Hunter's advantages in winning football games.

I think back to Hunter ******** and showing up receivers for not making a catch a couple of times. Nice arm, seemed like an *******. I'll take Rocco Becht all day for college ball.
 
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IlliniCy

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Football is a fickle game for sure. In 2020 and 2024 we win a lot of close games and these are historically great years, in 2021 and 2022 we lose a lot of close games and these are disappointing years.

A few plays made/not made or a few 50/50 calls go the other way and all of these seasons can be very different, record-wise.
Margins