Getting to 6 in 2017

[cycophagus]

As a realist, I think it is fair to say that qualifying for a bowl in 2017 is not setting the bar too low. With a 3-3 record over the past 10 years vs UNI, there are no certain wins on the schedule. But with a talented coaching staff, exciting players at skill positions, and a loyal fan base, qualifying for a bowl after a 5 year drought is at least thinkable in 2017.

In looking at the schedule, though, how do you get ISU their 6th win? Most would agree that UNI and KU are must wins at home, along with Akron on the road. But with the 3 otherwise next most winnable games on the road: @ TXT, @ WVU, and @ Baylor, getting to Win #6 will require a lucky punch or 2.

November includes only one home game against highly touted Oklahoma State. It is arguably a trap for the Cowboys, since it follows Bedlam in Stillwater, and is followed by their hosting K-State, potentially with playoff implications. An exciting upset prospect, but the bottom line is that we're really gonna need 5 wins by Halloween to keep post season hopes alive.

If ISU is to become bowl eligible in 2017, ISU must win the opener at UNI and the road game @ Akron (... the poll only allows 10 choices ). Beyond that, what 4 additional wins would get them there?

Notes:

• To pessimists: Sure, the odds are against it, but its summer, so dream a little!
• To optimists: The poll is a "pick 4", so pick the first 4 beyond UNI and Akron.

 

[Gonzo]

As a realist, I think it is fair to say that qualifying for a bowl in 2017 is not setting the bar too low. With a 3-3 record over the past 10 years vs UNI, there are no certain wins on the schedule. But with a talented coaching staff, exciting players at skill positions, and a loyal fan base, qualifying for a bowl after a 5 year drought is at least thinkable in 2017.

In looking at the schedule, though, how do you get ISU their 6th win? Most would agree that UNI and KU are must wins at home, along with Akron on the road. But with the 3 otherwise next most winnable games on the road: @ TXT, @ WVU, and @ Baylor, getting to Win #6 will require a lucky punch or 2.

November includes only one home game against highly touted Oklahoma State. It is arguably a trap for the Cowboys, since it follows Bedlam in Stillwater, and is followed by their hosting K-State, potentially with playoff implications. An exciting upset prospect, but the bottom line is that we're really gonna need 5 wins by Halloween to keep post season hopes alive.

If ISU is to become bowl eligible in 2017, ISU must win the opener at UNI and the road game @ Akron (... the poll only allows 10 choices ). Beyond that, what 4 additional wins would get them there?

Notes:

• To pessimists: Sure, the odds are against it, but its summer, so dream a little!
• To optimists: The poll is a "pick 4", so pick the first 4 beyond UNI and Akron.

You guys aren't really playing AT UNI are you?

 

[cyclonedave25]

You guys aren't really playing AT UNI are you?

Yes. Luckily, the UNI AD is giving the ISU student section an entire side of the Unidome, so it'll essentially be a home game. Plus, the ISU boosters snatched up most of UNI's season tickets for the game. Unfortunately for UNI, all their other home games will basically be empty.

 

[cycophagus]

You guys aren't really playing AT UNI are you?

It's the UNI-Jack, with Civl War re-enactors doing the HT show!

 

[clonedude]

You guys aren't really playing AT UNI are you?

It's "at UNI", but it's played in Jack Trice.

 

[CyBlitz]

Really we just need to play a solid four quarters in a few games. I like our chances against texas tech without mahomes. There isnt a lot of sure wins but most that we have a chance.

 

[Cyched]

UNI
Iowa
Akron
Kansas
Tech
One of TCU/Baylor/KSU

More than doable.

 

[everyyard]

Win out and don't worry about it.

 

[cycophagus]

Really we just need to play a solid four quarters in a few games. I like our chances against texas tech without mahomes. There isnt a lot of sure wins but most that we have a chance.

According to Phil Steele, we suffered 3 net close losses last. We win those and we were bowling. But last year, there were 5 home games in the league, including 3 in November. This year, that's inverted. Its a better overall team, but the way the schedule plays out will tend to offset that. Gonna need to win the close ones, and learn to be bad company on the road this year.

 

[CloneConer]

I am sick of hearing the same thing in every prediction thread about where our wins are coming from. The losing mentality is so engrained into our fan base that we are afraid to consider ourselves as good or better than any other team besides Kansas! I'm not saying that we should write ourselves in for a win over Oklahoma, but we need to start thinking of ourselves as equals to the majority of our league. We need to stop considering ourselves the underdog in every game and calling our wins "steals", as if they don't really count. We need to break away from our "spot" in the hierarchy and realize that we were competitive in just about every big 12 game last year. And we should be even better this year!

In my mind, if we truly are improved:
Must win - UNI, Akron, Kansas
Probable Losses - OU, OKSt
Winnable - UT, Iowa, KSU, WVU, Tech, BU, TCU

It shouldn't be about stealing 3 wins from 7 teams that are presumed better than us, it should be about winning as many of the 7 games that we will be competitive in. The only STEALING we should do this year is if it's an Oklahoma team.

 

[ZB4CY]

Being 3-0 heading into that Thursday night Texas game would be huge and a great step in being bowl eligible. Confidence would be high and I believe we would have a great shot at starting 4-0.


But we all know how that first game of the year goes. So I'll give it a 22% of happening.

 

[cycophagus]

West Virginia was my vote for win 6, but I see only 2 others checked them9. I was pessimistic about the earlier part of the season. Curious why some would pick road games at Baylor or K-State ahead of West Virginia? Baylor will be on the way down, but they still have remnant talent of a contender. K-State promises to be solid this year, and we haven't won there since ... uh ... don't remember, to be honest. Was that the year McCarney broke the spell in the first Snyder dynasty?

 

[jdoggivjc]

On this list I have Iowa, Kansas, Tech, and Baylor.

 

[CyValley]

I'll say this without embarrassment, but a win over KU is not a given. Improvement in the program is clear, recruiting for the 2018 class is impressive, it appears things are on an upswing in Lawrence.

Although, I've got to say, KU has the ugliest stadium I have seen personally in P5. But, that's not the key to recruiting, apparently. That falls to personal relationships between coach and player. And maybe, as they say in real estate sales, location, location, location. Kansas borders Oklahoma and is only a skip and a hop from Texas.

iSu, such an outstanding university located in an exceptional state with wonderful people, it's a tough go. I gotta say, though, if anyone can illuminate the wonderful qualities iSu has to offer to prospective student-athletes, it's Matt Campbell and staff.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

I'll say this without embarrassment, but a win over KU is not a given. Improvement in the program is clear, recruiting for the 2018 class is impressive, it appears things are on an upswing in Lawrence.

Although, I've got to say, KU has the ugliest stadium I have seen personally in P5. But, that's not the key to recruiting, apparently. That falls to personal relationships between coach and player. And maybe, as they say in real estate sales, location, location, location. Kansas borders Oklahoma and is only a skip and a hop from Texas.

iSu, such an outstanding university located in an exceptional state with wonderful people, it's a tough go. I gotta say, though, if anyone can illuminate the wonderful qualities iSu has to offer to prospective student-athletes, it's Matt Campbell and staff.

Once KU starts the year 2-6 (or worse) those recruits will see a 3/4 empty memorial stadium and will bolt for the better offers.

That's my prediction anyways.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Random question and discussion question...

(1.) When do the preseason AP rankings and all that come out?

(2.) Are we ranked at 3-0...? Or do we need to down Texas for 4-0? Or even not then?

 

[MeanDean]

Random question and discussion question...

(1.) When do the preseason AP rankings and all that come out?

(2.) Are we ranked at 3-0...? No Or do we need to down Texas for 4-0? Or even not then? No - receiving votes maybe

 

[Sigmapolis]

Well... unless we are winning in Norman to go 5-0...

I would figure 6-1 (one loss to OU) would be good enough to do it...?

 

[cycophagus]

I'll say this without embarrassment, but a win over KU is not a given. Improvement in the program is clear, recruiting for the 2018 class is impressive, it appears things are on an upswing in Lawrence.

Although, I've got to say, KU has the ugliest stadium I have seen personally in P5. But, that's not the key to recruiting, apparently. That falls to personal relationships between coach and player. And maybe, as they say in real estate sales, location, location, location. Kansas borders Oklahoma and is only a skip and a hop from Texas.

iSu, such an outstanding university located in an exceptional state with wonderful people, it's a tough go. I gotta say, though, if anyone can illuminate the wonderful qualities iSu has to offer to prospective student-athletes, it's Matt Campbell and staff.

I second that motion. I actually think CMC will be seen as a transformational coach like Johnny Majors was. He will have success at Iowa State, and eventually move onward and upward. Until then, let's enjoy the journey. Great recruits. Players developing year to year. Opponents no longer penciling in a win. Sellouts at the Jack, and bowling for the holidays.

 

[CloneFan4]

Home vs Iowa is an easy W. After that i like our chances vs Tech and I think we finally get the W over the wizard.