Arizona State Matchup

[Marcelason78]

Pretty cool to hear what he had to say about his experience at ISU:

Somebody needs to send this to Hassel so he can lighten up a little.

What a great commentary of Iowa State by this young man. Great job by the AD, and a tip of the cap to all Cyclone fans there that night.

 

[RezClone]

Somebody needs to send this to Hassel so he can lighten up a little.

What a great commentary of Iowa State by this young man. Great job by the AD, and a tip of the cap to all Cyclone fans there that night.

Oh no. He was just trying to light a fire and help motivate us to prove him wrong for our own good.

Source: him.

 

[RezClone]

Its a not great matchup for us defensively.

Cam's a great back. And he's built somewhat like Alstott, but he's quicker than you might think. Not like super duper elite speed, but still more than 3 yards and a pile of crap type speed and quickness. And he gets stronger as the game wears on. Pretty good OL...

His game and his build/physical attributes remind me a bit of ISU David Montgomery. Maybe less sheer power, but more homerun ability.

 

[Nolaeer]

I think the hot take of this game is Kstate was manhandled physically by ASU. This isnt some air raid team. Kstate couldnt stop skatebo, who is my favorite rb in the big 12.

 

[WFBClone]

I think they will score on us because their offense is legit, even with their leading WR out. I think it will take 28+ from the offense to win. Which means we need an accurate and reliable Rocco with no dumb pick 6s and the line play needs to be solid. Feed Noel and Higgins all day.

Wildcard is special teams. We've been solid all year but can't give up a blocked punt or punt return score or miss easy FGs.

I like that we were in this game 4 years ago and think that will benefit the staff to know how to approach a game like this.

ASU does have a weakness in special teams. The place kicker has missed a number of kicks and a few weeks ago the coach said he was going to have tryouts on the Monday after a game where the kicker did not perform well. Not sure that ISU would want to hang its hat on place kicking, but one the other hand, the 54-yarder against UI was pretty special.

 

[Statefan10]

I think the hot take of this game is Kstate was manhandled physically by ASU. This isnt some air raid team. Kstate couldnt stop skatebo, who is my favorite rb in the big 12.

Not saying K-State stopped him by any means but he only put up 2.9 ypc and 73 yards rushing. He put up 117 total yards with 0 TDs. Tyson on the other hand at 12 receptions, 176 yards at 14.7 ypc and 2 TDs.

With Tyson out, they're going to have to be creative in finding ways to get Cam the ball, which I bet they will. With that being said, if the ISU defense can limit it and then scheme around it later in the game, I like the chances.

Special teams and turnovers will be huge in this gave and I would give ISU the nod there.

 

[JM4CY]

Not saying K-State stopped him by any means but he only put up 2.9 ypc and 73 yards rushing. He put up 117 total yards with 0 TDs. Tyson on the other hand at 12 receptions, 176 yards at 14.7 ypc and 2 TDs.

With Tyson out, they're going to have to be creative in finding ways to get Cam the ball, which I bet they will. With that being said, if the ISU defense can limit it and then scheme around it later in the game, I like the chances.

Special teams and turnovers will be huge in this gave and I would give ISU the nod there.

This. I'm gonna lean ISU if it's Jon Heacock vs a one dimensional offense

 

[Pope]

Their defense is similar to KSU's against the run, and similar to UCF and Cinci's against the pass.

As far as Skattebo goes, he shouldnt scare anyone at all. He is a good back, but his YPG average is as high as it is because ASU has been able to beat up on bad defenses. Miss. State gave up 262 on the ground to him alone, AZ gave up 177, and KU and OSU gave up 335 combined. AZ, and OSU are the worst rush defenses in the B12.

For point of reference, Wyoming and Texas State gave up 111 yards to Skattebo, combined. K-State kept him under 80.

IMO, those of you going down for the game need to be prepared to party, because I dont think this game is all that close, unless ISU decides to spot ASU some points

You may think the game won't be close, but the folks who handicap these games for a living disagree. I'd say you're a little overly optimistic, but I guess time will tell.

Skattebo is an outstanding back and he didn't just rack up his yards against weak defenses (e.g., 147 vs BYU, 158 vs Utah, 182 vs KU, 262 vs Miss St). Yes, I know we've held other excellent backs under control, but don't dismiss Skattebo as if he's nothing special.

The one thing that should definitely help us is the fact that their star receiver (by far) will be out. This should allow us to put more hats in the box to help keep Scattebo under control.

 

[Statefan10]

This. I'm gonna lean ISU if it's Jon Heacock vs a one dimensional offense

There will be guys on their end that step up, because they're going to have to spread the ball out a little bit, but losing him is huge. The offensive stats this year tell the story just how important he was to them.

 

[MartyFine]

 

[Statefan10]

For those who are wondering what those guys put up:

KJ (Iowa) : 25 att, 187 yds, 7.5 ypc, 2 TDs
Harvey (UCF) : 25 att, 196 yds, 7.8 ypc, 2 TDs
Brooks (TTU) : 25 att, 122 yds, 4.9 ypc, 1 TD
Giddens (KSU) : 14 att, 72 yds, 5.1 ypc, 0 TD

 

[IlliniCy]

The Cover 3 podcast is one of the best out there, but it was frustrating listen to them recap the weekend. Fornelli would rather whine about his beloved Illini, and Bud Elliott won't give up on UCF being the premier program of the Big 12. He's been sour about Iowa State the whole back half of the season. Chip Patterson finally brings up our win and what it meant with 3 minutes left in the pod, and the other three hosts literally say nothing.

Well, then it isn't the best.

 

[CySmurf]

Rob Gray just said on The Gym Class (Eastern Iowa Sports program) That it wouldn't surprise him if 40,000 Cyclones show up at AT&T Stadium Saturday.

 

[Pope]

Rob Gray just said on The Gym Class (Eastern Iowa Sports program) That it wouldn't surprise him if 40,000 Cyclones show up at AT&T Stadium Saturday.

Yeah, I'm afraid this will be many Cyclone fans' bowl game for the year. If we should lose the championship game, I'm afraid there won't be the usual number of Cyclone fans attending whatever bowl game we get invited to. It's expensive following the Cyclones on the road!

 

[StPaulCyclone]

Yeah, I'm afraid this will be many Cyclone fans' bowl game for the year. If we should lose the championship game, I'm afraid there won't be the usual number of Cyclone fans attending whatever bowl game we get invited to. It's expensive following the Cyclones on the road!

Not to mention Dublin in August…

 

[RagingCloner]

You may think the game won't be close, but the folks who handicap these games for a living disagree. I'd say you're a little overly optimistic, but I guess time will tell.

Skattebo is an outstanding back and he didn't just rack up his yards against weak defenses (e.g., 147 vs BYU, 158 vs Utah, 182 vs KU, 262 vs Miss St). Yes, I know we've held other excellent backs under control, but don't dismiss Skattebo as if he's nothing special.

The one thing that should definitely help us is the fact that their star receiver (by far) will be out. This should allow us to put more hats in the box to help keep Scattebo under control.

Skatebo also only had 73 yards against KSU, and had 111 combined against Wyoming and Texas state along with what he did against KU, Utah, and BYU. Is he good? Yes

Did he also take advantage of weaker defenses? Very much so.

Could ISU lose? Absolutely.

Is ASU a really good matchup for them, especially missing their top receiver? 100%

 

[Pope]

Skatebo also only had 73 yards against KSU, and had 111 combined against Wyoming and Texas state along with what he did against KU, Utah, and BYU. Is he good? Yes

Did he also take advantage of weaker defenses? Very much so.

Could ISU lose? Absolutely.

Is ASU a really good matchup for them, especially missing their top receiver? 100%

Skattebo was battling injuries this season and I'm sure that was a major factor in his below average games. He's healthy now.

 

[CycloneBamaFan]

This is good news. At this point I will take it. We will see on Saturday what is going on.

 

[RagingCloner]

Skattebo was battling injuries this season and I'm sure that was a major factor in his below average games. He's healthy now.

Played in 11 games. Averaged 22 carries a game in those 11. Doesn’t sound like the workload of someone who was battling injuries all year. Missed one game

Again, not disagreeing that he’s good, but he’s nowhere near the best RB ISU has faced this year

 

[Pope]

Played in 11 games. Averaged 22 carries a game in those 11. Doesn’t sound like the workload of someone who was battling injuries all year. Missed one game

Again, not disagreeing that he’s good, but he’s nowhere near the best RB ISU has faced this year

Well I hope this game is the cakewalk you've said it will be. I'll gladly eat crow.