How Great is 8?

[twincyties]

Our injuries have primarily been on defense yet it’s the offense that really let us down. I’m not buying this narrative about the injuries. We absolutely left wins on the table this year which is why a lot of people are disappointed. Those same people can also put things in perspective having dreamed about 8 win seasons for most of their years as a fan. These things are not mutually exclusive.

 

[WartburgClone]

Semantics but 1997 is peak Iowa State football bad things man era.

Basically pasted every week except like 3.

1997 Iowa State Cyclones football team - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

My introduction to Cyclone sports (I was 7).

 

[madguy30]

Our injuries have primarily been on defense yet it’s the offense that really let us down. I’m not buying this narrative about the injuries. We absolutely left wins on the table this year which is why a lot of people are disappointed. Those same people can also put things in perspective having dreamed about 8 win seasons for most of their years as a fan. These things are not mutually exclusive.

This is such a weird time line.

So you watched the games and thought being down starters in the defensive backfield didn't effect the games or the way ISU played? They came along but the players that were inserted in weren't just going to be good at the snap of the fingers.

And you saw the offense have to replace two now regular NFL receivers and expected it to churn right along or something? Did you see the offensive lineman kicking off or was that a mirage?

Do you think Iowa State is at a level to just plug and play?

 

[twincyties]

This is such a weird time line.

So you watched the games and thought being down starters in the defensive backfield didn't effect the games or the way ISU played? They came along but the players that were inserted in weren't just going to be good at the snap of the fingers.

And you saw the offense have to replace two now regular NFL receivers and expected it to churn right along or something? Did you see the offensive lineman kicking off or was that a mirage?

Do you think Iowa State is at a level to just plug and play?

Defensive injuries do not explain how we only put up 17 on Colorado. Going 2-13 on 3rd/4th down does, though.

Does that explain how we went 3-16 on 3rd and 4th down against ASU and only put up 17 points despite forcing 3 turnovers and them having nearly 120 yards in penalties?

 

[madguy30]

Defensive injuries do not explain how we only put up 17 on Colorado. Going 2-13 on 3rd/4th down does, though.

Does that explain how we went 3-16 on 3rd and 4th down against ASU and only put up 17 points despite forcing 3 turnovers and them having nearly 120 yards in penalties?

Did you happen to see the leaky defense and notice ISU couldn't kick field goals?

Defensive injuries lead to the opponents' offense sustaining drives and take the rhythm out of the offense. So yes, it can matter.
.
The offense had its own issues but purely blaming it on losses doesn't really hold up.

What level do you think ISU is at where 8 wins is a 'disappointment'? Are we ignoring how a handful of plays affect the KSU, Iowa and TCU games?

During the 5-0 start the narrative was very much 'how actually good are they?' and in the long run, they were an 8 win team.

 

[FouchodeHond]

The last 8 days were pretty good for Cyclone fans.

 

[Cloneon]

Defensive injuries do not explain how we only put up 17 on Colorado. Going 2-13 on 3rd/4th down does, though.

Does that explain how we went 3-16 on 3rd and 4th down against ASU and only put up 17 points despite forcing 3 turnovers and them having nearly 120 yards in penalties?

In this day and age, success is all about maximizing from what you have. We're in almost every game since CMC came on board. Sure, one can always find reasons to get better, but that's ignoring how well CMC and staff have done with what they have. It always amazes me why people have to extol their ideologies; especially when they're critical and those people are sitting on a couch somewhere with no influence with the decision makers. And, here I am criticizing you. I apologize, but maybe you can learn to appreciate what you have and not be so critical of what you don't.

 

[somecyguy]

Our injuries have primarily been on defense yet it’s the offense that really let us down. I’m not buying this narrative about the injuries. We absolutely left wins on the table this year which is why a lot of people are disappointed. Those same people can also put things in perspective having dreamed about 8 win seasons for most of their years as a fan. These things are not mutually exclusive.

I would bet money that Rocco was dealing with a concussion. Either after the Arizona or Cincy game. He was not the same QB.

 

[Cyclonepride]

8 wins would be pretty disappointing if you only look at the expectations to begin the year, and ignore the massive losses due to injury. When you take everything into account (losing our top two corners and a bunch of other DBs) and the fact that Rocco took way too much pressure upon himself, 8-4 is actually remarkable, particularly ending on a three game winning streak. Pulling off such a turnaround is pretty freaking rare.

 

[Cyrocks]

Mediocre, which this fan base keeps lapping up.

I would have given my left nut for Iowa State to consistently with 8+ games each year in the 1970's, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s. Now they Campbell has gotten Iowa State to that point, I will not be one of those snobbish guys who thinks 8 wins in a regular season is chump change.

I am still freaking mad about losing to Colorado, however.

 

[jbhtexas]

I would have given my left nut for Iowa State to consistently with 8+ games each year in the 1970's, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s. Now they Campbell has gotten Iowa State to that point, I will not be one of those snobbish guys who thinks 8 wins in a regular season is chump change.

I am still freaking mad about losing to Colorado, however.

It isn't the 1970's, 80s, 90s, 2000s, or 2010s anymore. It is 2025, and half of the Big 12 is getting 8 wins.

8 wins isn't chump change. But in the current environment in which ISU plays, it also isn't some kind of massive achievement. It's average.

 

[Big_Sill]

If you want to be happy with 8 wins this year, that is your freedom.

I would argue its silly to be happy with 8 wins because we sucked in the 80's and 90's or prior. Its just not relevant.

 

[jbhtexas]

8 wins would be pretty disappointing if you only look at the expectations to begin the year, and ignore the massive losses due to injury. When you take everything into account (losing our top two corners and a bunch of other DBs) and the fact that Rocco took way too much pressure upon himself, 8-4 is actually remarkable, particularly ending on a three game winning streak. Pulling off such a turnaround is pretty freaking rare.

As noted above, the massive losses due to injury were on defense. Defense wasn't the problem; ISU's defense finished 5th in the conference in scoring defense. ISU's offense finished 11th in scoring offense. With just an average offense, ISU likely gets 1-2 more wins. Rocco taking too much pressure on himself is a coaching problem.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

I’m happy with 8 wins and see the season as a good one with the injury issues. I am disappointed with the overall outcome because a healthy is a playoff contender for sure.

Agreed. I had us going 8-4 after the talented Seniors that graduated and went to the NFL. However, the 5-0 start increased my expectations. Then the injury bug bit and my expectations got reset again. We landed where I thought we would, but a healthy team would have won 9-10 games this regular season. If we get a nineth win via the bowl game, it was definitely a successful season.

 

[VeloClone]

I willI will fully admit that I am not up on bowlology to know if such a matchup is possible, but if ISU could somehow pull one of the 8-4 SEC or Big Ten teams, and come away with a win, that might take away some of bad taste of the CU loss.

Probably not happening since 8-4 SEC teams will probably all be in the playoffs.

Just kidding...sort of...

 

[madguy30]

It isn't the 1970's, 80s, 90s, 2000s, or 2010s anymore. It is 2025, and half of the Big 12 is getting 8 wins.

8 wins isn't chump change. But in the current environment in which ISU plays, it also isn't some kind of massive achievement. It's average.

What was ISU's excuses for getting 8 wins several times in the 70s and 6 wins 3 times in the 1980s?

 

[madguy30]

As noted above, the massive losses due to injury were on defense. Defense wasn't the problem; ISU's defense finished 5th in the conference in scoring defense. ISU's offense finished 11th in scoring offense. With just an average offense, ISU likely gets 1-2 more wins. Rocco taking too much pressure on himself is a coaching problem.

I'm sorry you missed the Cincinati, BYU, and ASU games and ISU giving up a 3rd and 17 to CU late in that one.

Stats were fine; individual plays and sequences can be very telling as well.

And I'm not sure what Rocco is supposed to do with dropped passes or the team being down to an OL kicking off.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

I'd love to see where we rank in the 12, in terms of NIL $.
I kinda think last(?)
If not, somewhere near the bottom.
Until this $ figure improves, I'll gladly take 8.

Not to mention, more that a few teams are receiving support from the University too. 8 wins should be compared against this, as well. We continue to overachieve given resources in this new environment.

 

[jbhtexas]

Did you happen to see the leaky defense and notice ISU couldn't kick field goals?

Defensive injuries lead to the opponents' offense sustaining drives and take the rhythm out of the offense. So yes, it can matter.
.
The offense had its own issues but purely blaming it on losses doesn't really hold up.

What level do you think ISU is at where 8 wins is a 'disappointment'? Are we ignoring how a handful of plays affect the KSU, Iowa and TCU games?

During the 5-0 start the narrative was very much 'how actually good are they?' and in the long run, they were an 8 win team.

The injury-riddled defense did its job, and the offense with an experienced offensive line and experienced QB didn't. Look at the stats. It is what it is.

The OSU game pretty much sums up the season...defense plays great...gets two turnovers, and the offense can't muster more than 20 points against the worst defense in the conference. Well, maybe the offense did actually score more than 20, depending on what you think about the holding call on Hansen's run...

Your contortions to make excuses for ISU's medicore offense are really strange...

 

[jbhtexas]

What was ISU's excuses for getting 8 wins several times in the 70s and 6 wins 3 times in the 1980s?

I don't know. That was 40-50 years ago and irrelevant to what is happening now.