3 games in; how good is the offense?

[Jer]

Overall about what I think we expected or hoped for.

The two keys are OL and WR.

OL needs to be a bit more consistent, especially as defenses get stronger in conference.

WR is still a big question mark. X is amazing but we're one quick injury away from getting pretty desperate for somebody else to step up. We need to start seeing more from the other guys as X will get double-teamed more in league play.

 

[CycloneBob]

This will be blasphemy to some of the Monday morning quarterbacks on this board, but I think Manning deserves a lot of credit for play calling so far this season.

He's done an excellent job of taking what the defense is giving and playing to our strengths, especially early in the game. While we've surprisingly thrown 50% and run 50% so far for this season, we've been pretty pass heavy early in the games to build our leads and run heavy later in the games to protect our leads.

I agree. To me the jury is still out on the length of kickoffs and our overall punting game. In addition, we've not fully tested the field goal attempts.

 

[deadeyededric]

We're beating these FCS and mid-major teams like good power 5 teams do. That's all I care about. We've struggled against inferior teams early in the season under CMC in the past.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I don’t care about running up the scoreboard. I get more excited seeing the young depth getting almost 2 quarters to learn and make mistakes without concern of a L.

I've heard the depth being propped up quite a bit, and maybe playing time, reps, experience even more so. But this has happened in previous years as well, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We saw a mini-exodus on that side of the ball this past offseason, guys that had been getting 2nd team reps the previous couple seasons. Don't get me wrong, I like to see guys get a shot more than anyone, I just am playing devils advocate a bit.

 

[madguy30]

We're beating these FCS and mid-major teams like good power 5 teams do. That's all I care about. We've struggled against inferior teams early in the season under CMC in the past.

Beat ****ing Iowa doing everything but losing the game.

The immeasurable resolve so far has been there with this group.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Overall about what I think we expected or hoped for.

The two keys are OL and WR.

OL needs to be a bit more consistent, especially as defenses get stronger in conference.

WR is still a big question mark. X is amazing but we're one quick injury away from getting pretty desperate for somebody else to step up. We need to start seeing more from the other guys as X will get double-teamed more in league play.

To echo you on the WR. Definitely waiting for someone besides X to step up. Noel and Shaw seem capable, and Aidan Bitter has been out there some as well. Dimitri Stanley is another name. Darren Wilson a guy we've been hearing about for years. Daniel Jackson still on the sideline with rumored untapped potential. Greg Gaines getting some reps in. We know the names, but none of this group outside of X has really grabbed it and ran with it yet. Noel I think is supposed to be the guy, but he doesn't look a lot different than he did last year through 3 games. Been a bit disappointing, but enough guys are making plays collectively for it to have not really hurt us yet

 

[CYEATHAWK]

You don't go 99.5 yards against a defense like Iowa unless they aren't as good as billed........or you are better.

Find some consistency and the offense will be the least of ISU's concerns.

 

[CyLyte2]

Noel is disappointing? What are you watching?

 

[CloneIce]

The real key to the season has been how well the offensive line plays…since Seneca’s junior season.

QB play has been hugely important since then as well. We had some rough years in that department that really held us back. It’s been so nice having good QB play the past 5 years.

 

[titleist]

I don't feel like we've thrown the ball deep yet. We sure make a lot of passes but how many fly routes has Hunter gone for?

 

[ISUGolf2008]

My thing is we have not played any world beater teams. Yeah Iowa's defense is really good but we still shot ourselves in the foot multiple times and if Iowa had ANY offense we woulda lost that game. But yes, we do look pretty solid so far. I am not going to get too excited till I see where we are after this weekend

 

[CloneIce]

Overall about what I think we expected or hoped for.

The two keys are OL and WR.

OL needs to be a bit more consistent, especially as defenses get stronger in conference.

WR is still a big question mark. X is amazing but we're one quick injury away from getting pretty desperate for somebody else to step up. We need to start seeing more from the other guys as X will get double-teamed more in league play.

Other than X, our WRs are just a bunch of average guys. Shaw and Noel are alright and hopefully one or both will take a big step forward this year. But X is elite - We’re fine this year with him as the lead and the rest complimenting him.

Long term I am hoping Essex and Gaines can be our next set of difference makers. We’ve heard good things about them and they really look the part size wise. If we stay healthy they should redshirt and then have a big role next year when most of the depth chart graduates.

 

[MartyFine]

Too early to form a conclusion. With only one conference game played so far, and ISU having played none obviously, ISU is currently 9th in scoring offense, 8th in total offense, 9th in rushing offense, and 6th in passing offense in the Big 12. Of course, none of these other Big 12 teams have had to play Iowa's D yet.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Noel is disappointing? What are you watching?

He is 12 for 77 on the season. 6.4 ypc is not very good. Whether that's him or the scheme is open for debate, but those are not good numbers for a guy who is (probably supposed to be) your #2 WR. He has always passed the eye test, so not sure if it's just the coaching and scheming holding him back at this point.

 

[madguy30]

Noel is disappointing? What are you watching?

I keep seeing this 'someone else needs to emerge' type of stuff while Noel is doing fine and then Shaw comes out and has a nice day Saturday.

Then guys like Hanika showing what they can do...

'But what if they start doubling Hutch!??'

Good!

 

[CyHans]

I really like our RB room. Norton should be healthy to start Big 12 play and that is helpful.

I'm kind of wondering if we save him and redshirt him with the emergence of Silas. Or at least don't rush him back.

 

[madguy30]

He is 12 for 77 on the season. 6.4 ypc is not very good. Whether that's him or the scheme is open for debate, but those are not good numbers for a guy who is (probably supposed to be) your #2 WR. He has always passed the eye test, so not sure if it's just the coaching and scheming holding him back at this point.

I mean he had some crucial catches in the Iowa game and Hutch has been open, so Dekkers is going to open guy until they stop it.

There's no reason to force the ball around if it's not needed.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

The offense is really good.

 

[CyHans]

I am really not sure what the complaint is when you basically manhandle a team from the MAC. Dekkers just throws darts out there and can also run the ball. I suspect the absence of a long ball is either we're not showing the whole playbook or we don't have the burners to do it. We did attempt one long one that was overthrown by a few yards and the receiver, Noel I think, had a step on his guy. I'm not going to complain about long sustained drives.

 

[ISUGolf2008]

I am really not sure what the complaint is when you basically manhandle a team from the MAC. Dekkers just throws darts out there and can also run the ball. I suspect the absence of a long ball is either we're not showing the whole playbook or we don't have the burners to do it. We did attempt one long one that was overthrown by a few yards and the receiver, Noel I think, had a step on his guy. I'm not going to complain about long sustained drives.

They are fine till we are down 7 with 1:10 left on the clock and we have to go 90 yds