Reasonable Football Expectations

[clonedude]

Beat the Hawks in their superbowl, win 5-6, and hopefully go to a bowl game. Season ends with high hopes for what next year might bring. Offers start to trickle in for Campbell from every school looking for a turnaround.

If beating Iowa is one of your requirements, then it kind of is your "superbowl", right? Personally I don't care if we beat Iowa or not if we win 6 or more games. Sure, I'd like to, but we don't need to beat Iowa to have a good season.

Now, if you are wanting 5 or 6 wins and a bowl game, you may need to temper your expectations a bit IMO. Our very best years over the last few decades have been 6 win or 7 win seasons, so you'd be expecting one of our best seasons in the last several decades in year one under CMC? That would be tough for Campbell to live up to.

 

[ameslurker]

Let's get back to reality as you contradicted yourself in the last paragraph. Not "Happy with mediocre" yet accepting poor?

It doesnt take years to implement an offense or defense. Rhoads turned ISU around year one as have many other coaches made immediate progress especially when inheriting some experienced talent as Campbell is.

Backup running back? Backup? Thanks for pointing out one of the easiest positions to build depth with freshmen. This a minor concern at best.

Tight end? Really? This is one of the least important positions on the field. I don't care what offense you are referring to. Even Iowa gets by with below average tight ends at times. Pretty simple why. Tight ends get open usually through scheme and play action and not through ability to separate. After the catch, it's usually a few yards and tackled. Rotate a blocker in for other plays.

All big 12 running back, all big 12 receiver (other experienced receivers), experienced quarterback who showed promise with juco back ups. Couple young talented olinemen off redshirt with three players that played significant time. Juco coming in along with others. Certainly a concern but very similar to last year.

Defensive line : one of the best ISU has returned in a long time....experience with a playmaker inside. Young dend's backing up off redshirt that have talent.

Linebackers return and they rave about Harvey. (Loss of Harris is on this staff...no excuse there) They botched that.

Dbacks. Experience in 4 year guys and juco talent. Should be deep and talented. Transfers coming in too.

Kicker..should be good
punter. Did well enough

If this team wins less than 4 games it won't be because of a lack of talent to win more.

That's why we hired a new coach. To win more than 3 games. Especially with better talent than ISU has had in years returning.

If history says anything, its that ISU kicking isn't something to look forward to

 

[clonedude]

If history says anything, its that ISU kicking isn't something to look forward to

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd ever say our kicking "should be good". We have the same kicker that missed the chip shot to win at Toledo, right? Granted he did beat Iowa, but that was only because KF called a timeout when he missed the first one.

 

[Cydkar]

Yep. It's the guys that demanded Rhoads be gone for not winning 4 games saying that wiIl be okay with better talent returning.

4 games... ?

UNI
Kansas
SJSU
Kansas State
Iowa
Texas Tech
Texas

The rest get tougher but there are winnable games there too. 4 wins with good talent returning all over the field? Notice none of these guys actually list all the talent ISU has returning which is significant. They just default to the oline because they know that's the only obvious concern (just like last year btw).

Get real. Cydkar could win 4 games with this team and that schedule.

You're stupid enough to think CPR was fired for a single <4 win season.

 

[heitclone]

Let's get back to reality as you contradicted yourself in the last paragraph. Not "Happy with mediocre" yet accepting poor?

It doesnt take years to implement an offense or defense. Rhoads turned ISU around year one as have many other coaches made immediate progress especially when inheriting some experienced talent as Campbell is.
.

This is laughable, we heard 4 different times how "it takes at least 1 year/2years/etc " to implement the "new" offenses of CPR's revolving door OC's, even though every single one ran a spread offense or something similar, not to mention most recruits run the spread offense in high school now so it shouldn't have had such a steep learning curve. CPR (and Sammy R) got a free pass for having terrible offenses for years by using the "new OC" excuse. We waited 7 years to see some sort of an offense under CPR.

 

[Clone2Dbone]

I predict a disappointing end to the season, losing by a last second field goal to Ohio State in the championship game after an undefeated regular season.smile: Seriously, I think 6 wins and a bowl is within reason. I'm not counting on it, but it isn't that unreasonable.

 

[ameslurker]

I'll take 4 wins as long as they're competitive in the losses.

 

[RealisticCy]

Let's get back to reality as you contradicted yourself in the last paragraph. Not "Happy with mediocre" yet accepting poor?

It doesnt take years to implement an offense or defense. Rhoads turned ISU around year one as have many other coaches made immediate progress especially when inheriting some experienced talent as Campbell is.

Backup running back? Backup? Thanks for pointing out one of the easiest positions to build depth with freshmen. This a minor concern at best.

Tight end? Really? This is one of the least important positions on the field. I don't care what offense you are referring to. Even Iowa gets by with below average tight ends at times. Pretty simple why. Tight ends get open usually through scheme and play action and not through ability to separate. After the catch, it's usually a few yards and tackled. Rotate a blocker in for other plays.

All big 12 running back, all big 12 receiver (other experienced receivers), experienced quarterback who showed promise with juco back ups. Couple young talented olinemen off redshirt with three players that played significant time. Juco coming in along with others. Certainly a concern but very similar to last year.

Defensive line : one of the best ISU has returned in a long time....experience with a playmaker inside. Young dend's backing up off redshirt that have talent.

Linebackers return and they rave about Harvey. (Loss of Harris is on this staff...no excuse there) They botched that.

Dbacks. Experience in 4 year guys and juco talent. Should be deep and talented. Transfers coming in too.

Kicker..should be good
punter. Did well enough

If this team wins less than 4 games it won't be because of a lack of talent to win more.

That's why we hired a new coach. To win more than 3 games. Especially with better talent than ISU has had in years returning.

Wow. Not having a second RB isn't an issue? Zero proven options at tight end isn't important on 3rd and 5 or at the goal line? And there is so much talent returning on defense that we should be fine, despite losing the team leader in sacks, ranking 109 overall, and switching to a 4-2-5 with our lack of speed in the secondary? At this point, citing your previous posts as evidence, the questions must be asked: Are you familiar with college football? If so, have you actually seen ISU games the past 3 years?

I'm saying building the foundation of a successful program is more important than going to a crappy bowl game this year. You say that Rhoads "turned ISU around year one": how does going to a bowl game qualify as turning the program around? That is the exact mindset I'm talking about when I say happy to be mediocre. So many fans think that going to a bowl game is the absolute pinnacle of success, so they are completely happy with 6 regular season wins. Rhoads also just won 8 games in 3 years and lost to 2 FCS teams following your so-called turn around.

Holding Campbell in year 1 to expectations of Rhoads in year 7 is completely unrealistic, and unfair to Campbell. It takes time to rebuild from complete dumpster fires with a roster nearly void of depth, even if schemes on both sides of the ball wouldn't change.

 

[Cyrok]

I'm expecting 4 wins - we should beat UNI, SJSU, and Kansas. We'll likely be underdogs in the rest of the games, but I think we can get at least one more.

I'll be really disappointed if we don't beat UNI, SJSU and Kansas.

I think a lot of folks that are predicting 6+ wins are going to be disappointed. It's fun to get hyped up about the success that's currently happening on the recruiting trail, but we won't see the results of that for 2 or 3 years. And this year's O-line is probably going to be too weak to overcome.

The main thing I hope to see this season is to play well enough to inspire hope. We need some basis to continue the strong recruiting. I'd love to see some positive national media attention. I'm going into this season with pretty low expectations, but I'm very excited to be a Cyclone!

Beat UNI.

 

[MeowingCows]

4-5 wins is attainable. 6+ is a blessing. 3 is minimum. I'd probably set the O/U at 4.5.

 

[tolfbfan]

My hope is that he's successful like VT's Beemer. And, like Beemer, stays at the school till career's end. (Wishing doesn't make it so, I know that ;-)

Say, this reminds me of the interview CW did with CMC on Thursday. Have you listened to it? Great interview. In it, he says he did not grow up a fan of any one university. (Or, maybe I'm thinking of the interview with Coach Kuz. . . .)

If their families were closer I think there would be a great chance he could stay for many, many years. CMC is not hung up with coaching at an established top 10 program. Building one, probably so. Maybe if he can earn 7-8million per year, he can buy his own plane and maybe build his own airport near the campus. That way he can stay and bring in family anytime he wants. What u guys think?????

 

[CyDude16]

5-6 wins. Won't be disappointed if it's only four.

 

[Jiub]

5-6 wins. Won't be disappointed if it's only four.

Realistically im expecting 3 wins.
Anything more will be a pleasant surprise and anything less will be somewhat expected.

Also I would like to be in a position where we dont depend on good punter because our offense will be productive.

 

[D UP Clones]

Wow. Not having a second RB isn't an issue? Zero proven options at tight end isn't important on 3rd and 5 or at the goal line? And there is so much talent returning on defense that we should be fine, despite losing the team leader in sacks, ranking 109 overall, and switching to a 4-2-5 with our lack of speed in the secondary? At this point, citing your previous posts as evidence, the questions must be asked: Are you familiar with college football? If so, have you actually seen ISU games the past 3 years?

I'm saying building the foundation of a successful program is more important than going to a crappy bowl game this year. You say that Rhoads "turned ISU around year one": how does going to a bowl game qualify as turning the program around? That is the exact mindset I'm talking about when I say happy to be mediocre. So many fans think that going to a bowl game is the absolute pinnacle of success, so they are completely happy with 6 regular season wins. Rhoads also just won 8 games in 3 years and lost to 2 FCS teams following your so-called turn around.

Holding Campbell in year 1 to expectations of Rhoads in year 7 is completely unrealistic, and unfair to Campbell. It takes time to rebuild from complete dumpster fires with a roster nearly void of depth, even if schemes on both sides of the ball wouldn't change.

You know very little about football. Thats obvious from the post above and your previous post. Back up running back and tight end? Lol

Every coach should be held accountable to win at least to the talent on their team. Devoid of talent? Yeah..not really

Rhoads with less talent was expected to win many more games. Each year is different doesn't matter how long the system has been in place.

See Iowa for easy evidence of that. Or Texas or any other school.

Fact: if Rhoads were still here you would expect the same talent to win 6 games. It's comical you even mention expectations when you have none for the coach that's supposed to win more than Rhoads.

So no expectations is high expectations? Got it.

Boy I better go tell Warren and Lazard and Tucker and so many others that they just don't have talent. Don't mind the stats or facts. Too funny.

 

[CyArob]

You know very little about football. Thats obvious from the post above and your previous post. Back up running back and tight end? Lol

Every coach should be held accountable to win at least to the talent on their team. Devoid of talent? Yeah . You are clueless... clueless.

Rhoads with less talent was expected to win many more games. Each year is different doesn't matter how long the system has been in place.

See Iowa for easy evidence of that. Or Texas or any other school.

Fact: if Rhoads were still here you would expect the same talent to win 6 games. It's comical you even mention expectations when you have none for the coach that's supposed to win more than Rhoads.

So no expectations is high expectations? Got it. Clueless.

Boy I better go tell Warren and Lazard and Tucker and so many others that they just don't have talent. Don't mind the stats or facts. Too funny.

Zzzzzzz

 

[D UP Clones]

Just please beat UNI and Kansas.

chuckle

 

[jsb]

If their families were closer I think there would be a great chance he could stay for many, many years. CMC is not hung up with coaching at an established top 10 program. Building one, probably so. Maybe if he can earn 7-8million per year, he can buy his own plane and maybe build his own airport near the campus. That way he can stay and bring in family anytime he wants. What u guys think?????

You know, we'd pitch in to get the whole family here to Iowa. Iowa or Ohio. 4 letters. Start with a vowel. Close enough

You know I've never believed that ******** line about how Matt Campbell arrived here 2 years ago and thought to himself: "I know I grew up in Ohio. In the shadow of one of the biggest and best football programs in history and as a head coach, I've visited several impressive venues. And I have a TV so I know that there are places like LSU, Texas, Michigan, USC, Oregon, etc. But god damn it is Ames not the best place I've ever seen." But even though I know it is a completely made up line, I appreciate it. He's owned that line. The complete buy-in by him is, frankly, more impressive than if he actually thought it. It's just the type of line that us Iowa State fans need to hear. And we'll all believe it or want to believe it. I don't believe it, yet I sort of buy it. Until he says a version of that exact same line when he takes his next job. Then we'll talk about how his one dream in life was to coach some storied program like Mississippi State.

As far as next year. Honestly, Rhoads should have won 3 more games (Toledo, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State). So 6 seems like a reasonable number for Campbell. But this is Iowa State and I'll love him if he manages to win one game.

He's done everything right so far, so I suspect that we are in for a disappointment.

And this is going to seem really silly. But honestly, the thing that I like most about him is that I think he thinks all of this crap about the uniforms and the entrance song is as stupid as it really is. I appreciate that he is willing to make changes to make the players happy and to make the fans that are 25-35 and think they are cool happy. But deep down, I think he thinks we are all idiots. At least I hope he does.

 

[Stormin]

You know very little about football. Thats obvious from the post above and your previous post. Back up running back and tight end? Lol

Every coach should be held accountable to win at least to the talent on their team. Devoid of talent? Yeah..not really

Rhoads with less talent was expected to win many more games. Each year is different doesn't matter how long the system has been in place.

See Iowa for easy evidence of that. Or Texas or any other school.

Fact: if Rhoads were still here you would expect the same talent to win 6 games. It's comical you even mention expectations when you have none for the coach that's supposed to win more than Rhoads.

So no expectations is high expectations? Got it.

Boy I better go tell Warren and Lazard and Tucker and so many others that they just don't have talent. Don't mind the stats or facts. Too funny.

We lost 3 starting LB's due to injury and a transfer that we were hoping to have up until just a couple months or so ago. We also lost several OL as well. And a few others due to injuries ending their careers.

After watching CPR totally **** down his leg in the K-State game, my expectations for the coming year if CPR were coach would be maybe 2 wins maximum. So I have higher expectations for CMC and staff then I would if CPR were still our coach. I am expecting 4 to 6 wins. That expectation is higher than any of the last 3 seasons under CPR.

I supported CPR all the way up until the K-State game. After that disaster, it was obvious that CPR needed to be fired. I am amazed at the job of recruiting done so far by CMC and the staff. There is no doubt in my mind that we would be struggling with recruits if CPR was still our coach.

Time for you to swallow the bitterness pill and support our new football coach, Coach Matt Campbell and his staff.

 

[jsb]

We lost 3 starting LB's due to injury and a transfer that we were hoping to have up until just a couple months or so ago. We also lost several OL as well. And a few others due to injuries ending their careers.

After watching CPR totally **** down his leg in the K-State game, my expectations for the coming year if CPR were coach would be maybe 2 wins maximum. So I have higher expectations for CMC and staff then I would if CPR were still our coach. I am expecting 4 to 6 wins. That expectation is higher than any of the last 3 seasons under CPR.

I supported CPR all the way up until the K-State game. After that disaster, it was obvious that CPR needed to be fired. I am amazed at the job of recruiting done so far by CMC and the staff. There is no doubt in my mind that we would be struggling with recruits if CPR was still our coach.

Time for you to swallow the bitterness pill and support our new football coach, Coach Matt Campbell and his staff.

Honestly, I sort of think it was fate that Rhoads had to get fired. The Kansas State game was such a cluster**** that it had to end that way. Honestly, 96 times out of 100, what he did in that game wouldn't have cost them the win. But it did. So it was time for him to leave.

 

[willi_cy2]

So no expectations is high expectations? Got it.

d

I like to call it "cautiously optimistic"