Monday Musings: "Adapt or perish"

That is a good philosophy for life in general. I think Rhoads had enough of the "perishing" last season. Let's hope this is an "adaption" season. :yes:
 
Still adapting under the five year plan. "Trying to avoid perishing" may be our slogan.
 
The last two Big 12 Champions were Baylor and Kansas State. Two perennial losers. It's safe to say it's possible to adapt if the right guy is leading the charge.
 
The last two Big 12 Champions were Baylor and Kansas State. Two perennial losers. It's safe to say it's possible to adapt if the right guy is leading the charge.

I think this does go a long way to prove that the right coach and the right system can win anywhere. We all know OSU was on the cusp of playing for a national title, but looking back to the early 2000s they weren't in a much different place as a program than we were. That said, with the current state of our program and the league, I'm having a hard time seeing us becoming a team that consistently finishes above .500, let alone one that can compete for any kind of championships.
 
Yes, we have to adapt to the Big 12 schedule, but let's hope that we get smarter with the scheuling of our pre-conference games.
 
I think this does go a long way to prove that the right coach and the right system can win anywhere. We all know OSU was on the cusp of playing for a national title, but looking back to the early 2000s they weren't in a much different place as a program than we were. That said, with the current state of our program and the league, I'm having a hard time seeing us becoming a team that consistently finishes above .500, let alone one that can compete for any kind of championships.

Similar to KU and Mizzou back in the late 2000's. Programs can get better if they have the right people in place. I'm not satisfied finishing 6-7 anymore. If those programs can do it, why can't we?
 
Similar to KU and Mizzou back in the late 2000's. Programs can get better if they have the right people in place. I'm not satisfied finishing 6-7 anymore. If those programs can do it, why can't we?

I would be happy to get back to 6-7 at this point.
 
Comparing ISU to Baylor and KSU is just wrong. KSU has had 15 years of elite success. BCS (or that level) bowl games, top 10 rankings, you name...KSU has been a solid program since the late 90's. As much as we all want to compare ISU to KSU it is about like comparing ISU to Iowa. Just not a good comparison. ISU to Baylor? Yeah, if you think Baylor doesn't have significant recruiting advantages to ISU just because they are "Baylor" you'd best get a clue. Also, who does Baylor play in the the non conference? A team like Iowa? Nope.

Truth is that the dream of CPR taking ISU out of the gutter is gone. ISU is just going to be a 6 win or less (sometimes much less) team from here until they throw dirt on me, and I'm 36. I'll be season ticket holder cheering my *** off until that day....just best to face facts now.
 
Comparing ISU to Baylor and KSU is just wrong. KSU has had 15 years of elite success. BCS (or that level) bowl games, top 10 rankings, you name...KSU has been a solid program since the late 90's. As much as we all want to compare ISU to KSU it is about like comparing ISU to Iowa. Just not a good comparison. ISU to Baylor? Yeah, if you think Baylor doesn't have significant recruiting advantages to ISU just because they are "Baylor" you'd best get a clue. Also, who does Baylor play in the the non conference? A team like Iowa? Nope.

Truth is that the dream of CPR taking ISU out of the gutter is gone. ISU is just going to be a 6 win or less (sometimes much less) team from here until they throw dirt on me, and I'm 36. I'll be season ticket holder cheering my *** off until that day....just best to face facts now.

Before you get killed for this let me agree with you...except for the last paragraph. We've got an OC in place who won an Orange Bowl at KU. I'm not ready to say the dream is gone. Not yet.
 
Before you get killed for this let me agree with you...except for the last paragraph. We've got an OC in place who won an Orange Bowl at KU. I'm not ready to say the dream is gone. Not yet.

Yeah I hear ya, I've got faith in Mangino as well but people have to again be honest with themselves. Mark won the Orange bowl because every star that possibly could align fell KU's way that year. I'm not ready to say the words 'flash in the pan' but yeah, pretty close. Most of marks other teams were just comptetitive in a weak Big 12 north. He got to feast on terrible ISU and at the time KSU teams, Baylor and OSU were nowhere near where they are today...and so forth....His KU teams when he left were not overly great. I hope ISU can get over the hump someday and put 8-9 wins together but if they do I would'nt plan on it lasting. God, I hate to sound like such a downer but I guess I would just rather live in reality.
 
Comparing ISU to Baylor and KSU is just wrong. KSU has had 15 years of elite success. BCS (or that level) bowl games, top 10 rankings, you name...KSU has been a solid program since the late 90's. As much as we all want to compare ISU to KSU it is about like comparing ISU to Iowa. Just not a good comparison. ISU to Baylor? Yeah, if you think Baylor doesn't have significant recruiting advantages to ISU just because they are "Baylor" you'd best get a clue. Also, who does Baylor play in the the non conference? A team like Iowa? Nope.

Truth is that the dream of CPR taking ISU out of the gutter is gone. ISU is just going to be a 6 win or less (sometimes much less) team from here until they throw dirt on me, and I'm 36. I'll be season ticket holder cheering my *** off until that day....just best to face facts now.

I think the point of comparing ISU to KSU is what that program looked like before those winning years you pointed out. They were arguable the single worst program in all of Div 1 football. Snyder should have had his head examined for taking that job. But he made it work. One big component of making it work was feeding on the fluffiest of cupcakes every year in the non-con so his players could taste success and so they entered conference play needing only 2 or 3 wins to go bowling. Making bowl games, even the marginal ones, can only help the profile of a historically abysmal program.
 
We've been over .500 in conference twice in the last 35 years. 1989 with Walden, 2000 with McCarney.
 
We've been over .500 in conference twice in the last 35 years. 1989 with Walden, 2000 with McCarney.

Ouch, this stat is one that has escaped me. I guess strength of schedule wasn't a legit excuse in all of those years. HOPE is what we have more of than any other fan base, no one has more.
 
Awesome stuff CW. Can't wait for your "Follow the Buzzards" Monday musing. :smile:
Yeah, we could have a new installment each Monday during the summer:

Coyote Rising Monday.

Turkey Vulture Nuggets.

Monday Carp Tidbits

Hyena Leftovers Monday.

Crocodille Cravings Monday
 

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