ISU vs. K State Game Thoughts
- Thread starter cyclone1209
- Start date
I agree. Pretty much every player on the roster is invested because they're getting to see the field, even if it's just for a few plays each week. This has a very positive impact on Iowa State's culture.
Another part is that they’re not only preparing for “now”, they’re preparing for ‘26.
Which is a great amount of forethought.
That’s the conventional 5 DB’s application.
Heacock’s isn’t.
I know this is vastly oversimplifying it, but at root it’s something like A. The three DL occupy OL, B. The linebackers act as wedge breakers, or screens, clearing out stray blockers, C. Four DB’s cover. D. The fifth DB, the Star or middle safety, fills the hole or gap created by the front six.
That’s the “whole purpose”, stopping the run. Pass defense is secondary (no pun intended), and Heacock plays with it in ways that fall into “ask Jeff Woody” territory.
Sama averaged 4.7 yds/carry last year Hansen 5.0. We need both of them.
There's a chunk of the fan base that thinks Sama is a lot worse than he is, and it's very weird.
Yeah, no. He was definitely down short
They seem to think that the snow game should just be the norm.
The capability is there for a long run and in between there he still finds yards even if it's to the outside. I actually thought his ability to get outside helped yesterday early when there wasn't much inside.
The only way for kstate to win that game is to get the ball back. Why let them have it if you can knee out the clock?
If we did try to score, many coaches would tell their D to let us waltz into the end zone.
The only valid reason I can think of to score there is if points factor in to Big 12 tie breakers.
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Some of his play calls are a bit questionable, but he’s only in his second year so that’s to be expected somewhat, but holy Moses did he draw up some great plays
Good point about not writing off a new receiver too early. For those with a short memory, Jayden Higgins had 1 catch for 15 yards in his first game in a Cyclone uniform.
Woah, don't like that the receiver started to slide at the one yard line. That could have cost GT if the official interpreted it differently.
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Defense is worrying, just because of inconsistencies. I'm hoping they'll right the ship, but it's got to be frustrating when you play lock down, lights out for 10-20 plays, and then a complete head-scratcher nullifies all of it.
All three TDs for K-State were on huge mistakes. Both touchdown passes were blown coverages. The run TD was our right defensive end (McDonough I think?) crashing so hard on an option play that Avery Johnson could have walked it in with the hole he left behind.
Other than those lapses, they looked really good and did enough to win the game. The scoring plays just came way too easy. Looking forward to some adjustments against South Dakota.
Oh definitely. I think we misuse Sama. He has shown a tendency to dance rather than hit the hole. He's an east-west back more than a downhill guy. I'd love to see him in a West Coast style offense. Pitches, screens, short passes in the flat, just get him the ball in the open field and let him dance.
I don't think ESPN loved any part of Iowa State winning.
- The latest ESPN FPI rankings have KSU ranked 21, they dropped from #18.
- KU's big win over FSU (Fresno not Florida) bumped them to #25 from #26.
- ISU is not ranked in the top 25. We skyrocketed from #33 to #31 after beating KSU.
- 13 SEC are ranked higher than ISU.
- Nebraska & Iowa are ranked #29 & #30 respectively.
I keep seeing people thinking we’re going to have a tough time against South Dakota.
I think it’s going to be the other way around, with some pent up frustrations, to the point that a bunch of young guys get to have fun.
