For the record, I had thought right after Saturday that we would lose in Waco.
But after thinking about it, I really, really think that the Cyclones will come home with a victory.
I know that others have been saying this... but apart from stupid mistakes, we are playing good football. And yes, you can separate the mistakes from the quality of play.
It's the little things like Lenz letting the ball go during that return. (He was fighting for extra yardage, which is good.) Like Steele throwing that pass a little late with Gideon sitting right underneath it. (He had pretty good time in the pocket on that play.) Like LJ losing his composure after forcing a punt. (Did I mention that we had forced a punt?) Like a lack of protection and a poor snap on the blocked punt. (The rest looked solid.) Like Jacques not turning around on the reverse pass for a TD. (He was in position and read the play well.)
On the flip side, we have an offense that was able to consistently rack off some nice yardage on the ground, even with a dinged up offensive line. We have a quarterback who is able to create something out of nothing on every play. We have two running backs that I believe are going to be very good ones when all is said and done with their careers. We have a receiving corps that is much improved from just one year ago.
Most of all, we have a defense that held Texas when it mattered. 3 early turnovers, two big plays by them, a special teams touchdown... that's how they got to 37. It could have easily been much, much worse with the lack of focus and discipline from this team.
Baylor will be more talented on offense than Texas, but much less talented on defense. Our defense will be in a dogfight with them, but will be hungry. Meanwhile, our offense will have something to prove. I think this is the week that the discipline makes a comeback in a big way. Sure, RGIII is a freak, but he's one guy. And we, as a team, are ONE.
Believe, Cyclones. Believe!
But after thinking about it, I really, really think that the Cyclones will come home with a victory.
I know that others have been saying this... but apart from stupid mistakes, we are playing good football. And yes, you can separate the mistakes from the quality of play.
It's the little things like Lenz letting the ball go during that return. (He was fighting for extra yardage, which is good.) Like Steele throwing that pass a little late with Gideon sitting right underneath it. (He had pretty good time in the pocket on that play.) Like LJ losing his composure after forcing a punt. (Did I mention that we had forced a punt?) Like a lack of protection and a poor snap on the blocked punt. (The rest looked solid.) Like Jacques not turning around on the reverse pass for a TD. (He was in position and read the play well.)
On the flip side, we have an offense that was able to consistently rack off some nice yardage on the ground, even with a dinged up offensive line. We have a quarterback who is able to create something out of nothing on every play. We have two running backs that I believe are going to be very good ones when all is said and done with their careers. We have a receiving corps that is much improved from just one year ago.
Most of all, we have a defense that held Texas when it mattered. 3 early turnovers, two big plays by them, a special teams touchdown... that's how they got to 37. It could have easily been much, much worse with the lack of focus and discipline from this team.
Baylor will be more talented on offense than Texas, but much less talented on defense. Our defense will be in a dogfight with them, but will be hungry. Meanwhile, our offense will have something to prove. I think this is the week that the discipline makes a comeback in a big way. Sure, RGIII is a freak, but he's one guy. And we, as a team, are ONE.
Believe, Cyclones. Believe!
