Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
What hits? Our backers missed a lot of tackles.
Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015...
- Thread starter ISUBrew
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Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
They have to get smarter on the field. Great for turnovers and penalties, but running into piles on offense and missing gaps to tackle. Need to do more book learning on what to do...young players too. We need everyone on deck ready to play UNI.
They have to get smarter on the field. Great for turnovers and penalties, but running into piles on offense and missing gaps to tackle. Need to do more book learning on what to do...young players too. We need everyone on deck ready to play UNI.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
1) we had a 15 pt halftime lead and a final minute TD loss against the #12 team in the country, K-State. We lost on a last second FG at Texas. We gave up a late TD against Texas Tech. All 3 of those could have been wins.
2) LOL at the Toledo game "come from behind" win. We had a 10 point lead 7 minutes into the 3rd quarter. And a 14 point lead with 3:30 to go in the game. I guess you could call TCU's 82-27 win against Texas Tech a "come from behind" win too since they were down 7-0.
If we can come out of the season strong instead of a whimper (like this year) against UNI, we will have a MUCH better chance at bowl game than to be winless.
I'm not saying we will be bowling but you have to like our chances when we start out against UNI, Iowa, Toledo, Kansas, and Texas Tech next year. If we can learn to start strong and then close out games, I don't think winning 4 of 5 is out of the question. Will it happen? Who knows but I'll take my chances that we'll win a few of those games over going 0-5.
1) we had a 15 pt halftime lead and a final minute TD loss against the #12 team in the country, K-State. We lost on a last second FG at Texas. We gave up a late TD against Texas Tech. All 3 of those could have been wins.
2) LOL at the Toledo game "come from behind" win. We had a 10 point lead 7 minutes into the 3rd quarter. And a 14 point lead with 3:30 to go in the game. I guess you could call TCU's 82-27 win against Texas Tech a "come from behind" win too since they were down 7-0.
If we can come out of the season strong instead of a whimper (like this year) against UNI, we will have a MUCH better chance at bowl game than to be winless.
I'm not saying we will be bowling but you have to like our chances when we start out against UNI, Iowa, Toledo, Kansas, and Texas Tech next year. If we can learn to start strong and then close out games, I don't think winning 4 of 5 is out of the question. Will it happen? Who knows but I'll take my chances that we'll win a few of those games over going 0-5.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
Positives for next year:
Endzone will be a cool new addition with the sound system and boxes etc.
2nd year of Mangino's offense with a experienced QB, talented WR (seems like the strength of the team next year) and serviceable RBs.
Schedule does provide the opportunity for a fast start (doesn't guarantee anything but the best opportunities for wins are early).
Secondary could be decent but when you play a 10yd cushion its hard to know, plus they often get abused because they are forced to cover for 8 seconds because the DL gets no pressure.
Challenges: (wow, where to start)
Defense- this has just been abysmal (hasn't been great since Jake Knott went down) this year and last. DL loses Jensen and Morrisey, LB loses Miller, Brackens and Fertch. We need help here in the worst way and we need it now. This is dangerous because it forces the staffs hand to lean toward JUCO which is always hit or miss.
Offense- Still frustrating in many many games, scored in bursts at times then the other team adjusted (or we went away from it) and just shut down. Showed promise at times (K-state 2nd qrt, TX etc) but laid down against Kansas, Baylor, OU etc. Bibbs was our best player this year and he is gone, lose Farniok who might be offensive MVP (have you seen what happens when he hasn't played last few years? YUCK). Losing Wimberly, Gannon, West doesn't seem as big, but look at the 2-deep on the OL. Lots of Fr and So, scary to see that many young guys with no proven leader like Farniok.
I think people are overestimating the crowds, I don't think it will be all that great. Maybe Im wrong and the fans will step up once again but something tells me there will be more empty seats this year than any other in the Rhoads era (except maybe yr 1).
Positives for next year:
Endzone will be a cool new addition with the sound system and boxes etc.
2nd year of Mangino's offense with a experienced QB, talented WR (seems like the strength of the team next year) and serviceable RBs.
Schedule does provide the opportunity for a fast start (doesn't guarantee anything but the best opportunities for wins are early).
Secondary could be decent but when you play a 10yd cushion its hard to know, plus they often get abused because they are forced to cover for 8 seconds because the DL gets no pressure.
Challenges: (wow, where to start)
Defense- this has just been abysmal (hasn't been great since Jake Knott went down) this year and last. DL loses Jensen and Morrisey, LB loses Miller, Brackens and Fertch. We need help here in the worst way and we need it now. This is dangerous because it forces the staffs hand to lean toward JUCO which is always hit or miss.
Offense- Still frustrating in many many games, scored in bursts at times then the other team adjusted (or we went away from it) and just shut down. Showed promise at times (K-state 2nd qrt, TX etc) but laid down against Kansas, Baylor, OU etc. Bibbs was our best player this year and he is gone, lose Farniok who might be offensive MVP (have you seen what happens when he hasn't played last few years? YUCK). Losing Wimberly, Gannon, West doesn't seem as big, but look at the 2-deep on the OL. Lots of Fr and So, scary to see that many young guys with no proven leader like Farniok.
I think people are overestimating the crowds, I don't think it will be all that great. Maybe Im wrong and the fans will step up once again but something tells me there will be more empty seats this year than any other in the Rhoads era (except maybe yr 1).
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
You do know you actually explained how he was wrong? In a very nice way.
You do know you actually explained how he was wrong? In a very nice way.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
This. We are the team everyone we play against marks down as a "w". The only favorable schedule is the one where we don't play anyone (i.e. Iowa).
This. We are the team everyone we play against marks down as a "w". The only favorable schedule is the one where we don't play anyone (i.e. Iowa).
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
Probably one of the best OPs I've read on here in awhile regarding next season. A little bit rose colored, but that is okay and almost needed as this dismal point in the season.
I love that Lazard has made quite a few fans (not all) forget about Bundrage for a second (I hope our opponents do too.)
Those two on opposite sides of the field (barring the OP's injury jinx by mentioning injuries isn't real) gives ISU great firepower in the passing game.
I still have faith fans will show up and believe we will start 2-3 or 3-2 (just enough to keep people interested for a little while longer.) What happens after that once we get into Big 12 play depends on a lot of question marks, mainly in the trenches.
Probably one of the best OPs I've read on here in awhile regarding next season. A little bit rose colored, but that is okay and almost needed as this dismal point in the season.
I love that Lazard has made quite a few fans (not all) forget about Bundrage for a second (I hope our opponents do too.)
Those two on opposite sides of the field (barring the OP's injury jinx by mentioning injuries isn't real) gives ISU great firepower in the passing game.
I still have faith fans will show up and believe we will start 2-3 or 3-2 (just enough to keep people interested for a little while longer.) What happens after that once we get into Big 12 play depends on a lot of question marks, mainly in the trenches.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
There is absolutely no reason this team should not start out 4-0 about as an easy a schedule as you can serve up.
3 home games and 1 road game against a MAC team. If you are gonna have a 6 or 7 win season, you need to win the easier games on your schedule.
If we start out 2-2 or 1-3 get the search committee warmed up.
There is absolutely no reason this team should not start out 4-0 about as an easy a schedule as you can serve up.
3 home games and 1 road game against a MAC team. If you are gonna have a 6 or 7 win season, you need to win the easier games on your schedule.
If we start out 2-2 or 1-3 get the search committee warmed up.
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Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
I see what you are saying in a coach Mac moral victory sense. ISU had some close calls this year against K-State, Texas, and Texas Tech. Catching K-State in week 2 before they really got rolling (and possibly before ISU rolled over) certainly helped in keeping that game close. I think we can all agree that Texas was a below average team with a brand new staff that was still trying to figure things out. Texas Tech... well they went 4-8 and were a complete disaster this year.
There were 2 major problems with ISU that I don't know can be fixed in one off-season.
1. The defense. This unit was easily the worst in major college football. They couldn't stop anyone (the lone exception being Greg Davis and his prolific offense at Iowa :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh
. Texas was down and they rolled this defense, Tech was down and they rolled this defense, Okie State was down and they rolled this defense, Toledo is a MAC team and they rolled this defense, NDSU is an FCS program and they rolled this defense, and Kansas which is basically a D-II program rolled this defense. Factor in the quality Big XII offenses and saying this defense got "rolled" would be the understatement of the century. I'm not sure there is a single player on the ISU defense that would be in the starting lineup for Kansas or NDSU and that speaks volumes. It's not just a lack of talent across the board either it's a lack of skill, a lack of athleticism, a lack of size, a lack of strength, a lack of endurance, a lack of awareness, a lack of discipline, a lack of fundamentals, etc... Basically in any area they can lack something... they lack it.
2. Inconsistent offense. While the offense has been somewhat better this season it has struggled when the chips were down and it mattered most. They jumped on NDSU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on K-State and then limped to the finish, they jumped on WVU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on Tech and then limped to the finish, etc... They looked great against Texas and then didn't bother to show up against OU or Kansas. Against Okie State when they had chances to stay in that game in the 2nd half the offense went to sleep on 4 consecutive possessions and what was a fairly competitive game turned into a blowout loss. I think most would agree that the offense played 2 complete games this season and those were against Texas and Toledo. Against the schedules that ISU plays every year the offense has to be more consistent. It's a lot to ask but clearly that is the more talented side of the ball for ISU and when games are hanging in the balance they have to deliver.
Combining a horrible defense with an inconsistent offense and you have the recipe for exactly what we have seen the past 2 years and what we will continue to see next year as well. It's unfortunate but that is life in the Big XII. You can't win with a terrible defense unless you are putting points on the board like Texas Tech or Baylor normally do.
I see what you are saying in a coach Mac moral victory sense. ISU had some close calls this year against K-State, Texas, and Texas Tech. Catching K-State in week 2 before they really got rolling (and possibly before ISU rolled over) certainly helped in keeping that game close. I think we can all agree that Texas was a below average team with a brand new staff that was still trying to figure things out. Texas Tech... well they went 4-8 and were a complete disaster this year.
There were 2 major problems with ISU that I don't know can be fixed in one off-season.
1. The defense. This unit was easily the worst in major college football. They couldn't stop anyone (the lone exception being Greg Davis and his prolific offense at Iowa :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh
. Texas was down and they rolled this defense, Tech was down and they rolled this defense, Okie State was down and they rolled this defense, Toledo is a MAC team and they rolled this defense, NDSU is an FCS program and they rolled this defense, and Kansas which is basically a D-II program rolled this defense. Factor in the quality Big XII offenses and saying this defense got "rolled" would be the understatement of the century. I'm not sure there is a single player on the ISU defense that would be in the starting lineup for Kansas or NDSU and that speaks volumes. It's not just a lack of talent across the board either it's a lack of skill, a lack of athleticism, a lack of size, a lack of strength, a lack of endurance, a lack of awareness, a lack of discipline, a lack of fundamentals, etc... Basically in any area they can lack something... they lack it. 2. Inconsistent offense. While the offense has been somewhat better this season it has struggled when the chips were down and it mattered most. They jumped on NDSU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on K-State and then limped to the finish, they jumped on WVU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on Tech and then limped to the finish, etc... They looked great against Texas and then didn't bother to show up against OU or Kansas. Against Okie State when they had chances to stay in that game in the 2nd half the offense went to sleep on 4 consecutive possessions and what was a fairly competitive game turned into a blowout loss. I think most would agree that the offense played 2 complete games this season and those were against Texas and Toledo. Against the schedules that ISU plays every year the offense has to be more consistent. It's a lot to ask but clearly that is the more talented side of the ball for ISU and when games are hanging in the balance they have to deliver.
Combining a horrible defense with an inconsistent offense and you have the recipe for exactly what we have seen the past 2 years and what we will continue to see next year as well. It's unfortunate but that is life in the Big XII. You can't win with a terrible defense unless you are putting points on the board like Texas Tech or Baylor normally do.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
Can I have permission to re-post this through the winter as a reality check against the off season hype machine?
I see what you are saying in a coach Mac moral victory sense. ISU had some close calls this year against K-State, Texas, and Texas Tech. Catching K-State in week 2 before they really got rolling (and possibly before ISU rolled over) certainly helped in keeping that game close. I think we can all agree that Texas was a below average team with a brand new staff that was still trying to figure things out. Texas Tech... well they went 4-8 and were a complete disaster this year.
There were 2 major problems with ISU that I don't know can be fixed in one off-season.
1. The defense. This unit was easily the worst in major college football. They couldn't stop anyone (the lone exception being Greg Davis and his prolific offense at Iowa :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh
2. Inconsistent offense. While the offense has been somewhat better this season it has struggled when the chips were down and it mattered most. They jumped on NDSU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on K-State and then limped to the finish, they jumped on WVU and then limped to the finish, they jumped on Tech and then limped to the finish, etc... They looked great against Texas and then didn't bother to show up against OU or Kansas. Against Okie State when they had chances to stay in that game in the 2nd half the offense went to sleep on 4 consecutive possessions and what was a fairly competitive game turned into a blowout loss. I think most would agree that the offense played 2 complete games this season and those were against Texas and Toledo. Against the schedules that ISU plays every year the offense has to be more consistent. It's a lot to ask but clearly that is the more talented side of the ball for ISU and when games are hanging in the balance they have to deliver.
Combining a horrible defense with an inconsistent offense and you have the recipe for exactly what we have seen the past 2 years and what we will continue to see next year as well. It's unfortunate but that is life in the Big XII. You can't win with a terrible defense unless you are putting points on the board like Texas Tech or Baylor normally do.
Can I have permission to re-post this through the winter as a reality check against the off season hype machine?
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
Yes, but note that I hope I'm wrong... I want to be wrong... I need to be wrong... because I would rather be water boarded then watch the team I've loved since I was a little kid getting their teeth kicked in every Saturday.
Yes, but note that I hope I'm wrong... I want to be wrong... I need to be wrong... because I would rather be water boarded then watch the team I've loved since I was a little kid getting their teeth kicked in every Saturday.
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
With two jumbo scoreboards, two ribbon boards, and all-new acoustics, Jack Trice Stadium will now be a much tougher place to play.
Those things have little to do with how other teams perform at JTS..
With two jumbo scoreboards, two ribbon boards, and all-new acoustics, Jack Trice Stadium will now be a much tougher place to play.
Those things have little to do with how other teams perform at JTS..
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
two jumbo d tackles, three stout linebackers and an all-new defensive scheme would be better.:smile:
two jumbo d tackles, three stout linebackers and an all-new defensive scheme would be better.:smile:
Re: Whether we like it or not, Rhoads will be back, so let's talk ourselves into 2015
I said this last year about the Texas non-win :unsure: but if you get a few of those W's early on, things could have went differently. It's on the coaches to coach the players past that, but a K-State W would have changed some attitudes early on.
