Do we make the playoffs next year?

Do we make the playoffs next year?

  • Yes

    Votes: 29 10.9%
  • No

    Votes: 140 52.8%
  • Pinch me that we are discussing this as a real possibility.

    Votes: 112 42.3%

  • Total voters
    265
Does the Big 12 need that game anymore? I mean, there are no divisions. There really is a true champion at the end of the year. Ohio State has proven that you don't need a "13th" data point. Is it just for the money now? Just schedule ISU/OU the week of the other conf champ games.

Wasn't the CCG just added back a few years ago because Big 12 teams were excluded from the playoff due to only being "co-champions"? I want to say Baylor and TCU both finished 11-1 and were both excluded from the playoff.
 
To make the playoff Iowa State needs to go at minimum 11-1 and then win the Big 12 title game. That is a tall task and the ball will need to bounce their way in a few close games. Not to mention, Oklahoma should be pretty loaded next year as well. They can definitely do it but would need to be a dream season.
 
Oh, and we shouldn't even talk playoffs until we can get by Iowa. Kirk owns Matt and until Matt figures out Iowa, forget about it. Matt buys into playing Kirk's game hook line and sinker except he is not as good at is as Kirk.

Iowa State has never been more equipped to beat Iowa at their own game. Extremely physical, experienced offensive and defensive lines, elite running back and senior efficient QB. I fully expect to freaking blow the doors off them this Fall.
 
I vote no, but there's a chance. At least you won't get laughed out of a room for bringing up the possibility.
 
Realistically, with a couple bounces our way, I could see ISU making it back to the Big 12 title game with a 10-2 type of record facing an 11-1 or 12-0 OU team. If ISU wins, they are locked into the Sugar Bowl. If ISU loses, OU heads to the playoff and ISU still heads to the Sugar Bowl.
 
If we have a "normal" year? No. 5 away games in the B12 next year, I think we could sweep home, but Iowa could easily be a coin flip.
 
Blue bloods can change, those at the top aren't always going to stay there. So while it feels like everything is rigged to keep the status quo, we've put ourselves in a position to jump up into the conversation if we continue to have seasons like we just did.
Specific to next year, we return more than any of the teams ahead of us. We didn't really require too much luck to win any of the games we won, and as the year went on we started to outright dominate teams that we were more talented than. The biggest question is if they can maintain the intensity that they showed in the last half of the season right from the start. The national media narrative about us this year was annoying to say the least, but the committee respected us and that's what matters. We have their attention and if we prove we can do it again I want to believe they will be fair to us.
 
I voted "no" and "pinch me."

Echoing/repeating several others, I think (1) there's potential to be in the mix, not sure if the program is "quite there" yet. (2) most cards need to fall almost perfectly.

However, the above is close to my assessment prior to the 2020 season regarding winning the BIg 12. So ... maybe I'll be too-cautiously incorrect in '21. :)
 
There is a HUGE talent disparity from the top 5 or 6 schools and everyone else. If we make the playoffs, I'm afraid we will get exposed. We are not ready for it yet but I would love if it would happen even if we get our @sses kicked.
One of those top 5 or 6 teams is Oklahoma and we seem to be doing better than ever against them. That being said we need to upgrade our talent because we might be at the ceiling with current talent.
 
We need these things:
-ability to kick ball out of end zone
-replace tight ends that are moving on.
-develop wide receivers and/or get one impact wide receiver
-develop talent and or get an impact secondary to minimize loss of Eisworth
-stay consistent on punting but ideally improve punting game to the point where we can flip the field more.
-keep the running backs healthy.

If we improve kicking and get most of the other items we are in the playoffs, assuming we stay healthy.