Three reads on Louisiana
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Though younger, I’d argue that the talent ceiling w/the current, 2 deep o-line is significantly higher than previous years.
I would be very careful about dismissing their RBs. They had three backs go for over 800 yards, one of those for over 1,100. The two of those top three who aren't playing for the Browns this year both averaged over 7 yards (7.1 and 7.6) a carry. Generally you don't do that simply because of two of your offensive linemen.
I'm sure that they're good. But I wouldn't trade them for Hall and Brock. When you have two NFL OLs playing in the Sunbelt and a solid QB, I don't know how good they have to be to pile up the yards.
Losing the game is far scarier to me. Even though it’s not uncommon for us, losing the season opener to a non-P5 opponent is awful. When’s the last time we exceeded expectations in this situation?
Really probably not since the good McCarney years. I remember giving a few hapless teams a beatdown. In '04 they beat UNI 23-0. Upon further review, Chiziks 2nd team, '08, beat up on South Dakota State 44-17. Out of all the CPR teams, only the 2015 team really came out and laid the wood on their opening game, beating UNI 31-7. Ironically his last season in Ames.
So yeah, really since the end of the McCarney era, this team has struggled in openers. Can't just blame it on Campbell i suppose, although he is 2-3 in season openers with both wins coming against UNI, and one of those 2 being the nail biter last season
And your post is in reference to opening vs a FBS school, and a really solid one at that. Given our struggles even against FCS in openers in recent history, I'd say there is plenty of reason for concern on Saturday
No doubt they are good. But surely more of the credit goes to the o-line than we were thinking before we knew they had NFL-caliber on the line last year.
It doesn't matter how much older I get or how much success we have, I will ALWAYS fear the lower tier teams more than the big dogs. History tells me we are more likely to play like crap against Drake, UNI, or Louisiana than we are against Oklahoma or OSU.
We have a history of playing down to the opponent in both MBB and FB. The biggest obstacle to getting to the next step isn't beating the big dogs, it's taking care of business when we should be heavy favorites.
We have a history of playing down to the opponent in both MBB and FB. The biggest obstacle to getting to the next step isn't beating the big dogs, it's taking care of business when we should be heavy favorites.
Exactly. And thus there would be asterisks to denote that this year Is distinct from the era surrounding it.
Campbell's 2-2 in season openers, I feel compelled to point out. Lost the first game in charge to UNI and then the disappointing unforeseen opener at Iowa in 2018. UL game is unlike anything we've done so far under Campbell. That said, I'm also concerned. They're more like Iowa than UNI.
As a life-long ISU fan, I don't care if there are 20 asterisks, I'm not picky.
No they are not, at least they are not in the mold of KSU and Iowa, which gives ISU fits.
The match up actually is the kind of ISU should do well with. They see this kind of team in the Big 12 a lot with exception of KSU.
If ISU actually can trot out a serviceable offensive line, they should win by 2-3 TD's
Lastly 1 big difference with the opener this year is they are not preparing for Iowa the following week. Which is normally played week after opener sans 1 year.
They can focus on this game and have 2 weeks to prepare for TCU
Not discounting their backs, but ISU was way better at running the ball with a healthy KO, and that was only 1 NFL OL. Guess we will see what happens in a few days.
With only 11 games this year, what is the bowl eligibility going to be like? And, are bowl with Pac-12 and Big 10 tie ins stiill going to be looking for teams? If so, will there be a lot of 5 win teams in bowl games? Maybe no one even known yet. Just thinking.
I know they are supposed to be played but I'll be mildly surprised if bowl games are actually played, outside of the playoff. Can the bowls afford to pay teams to go? The teams can't afford ANYTHING on their own dime so TV revenue will have to pay the freight. I've spent 0 time considering this until this post. Off the cuff.
Thank you. I can't read Jamie's twitter...blocked. I'm a big Pollard guy but must have questioned him. Thin-skinned son-of-a-gun.
