Jamie Pollard recently quoted that in Big-12 games the team that rushed for the most yards, won 80% of the games and that our new coach had developed good offensive lines with better than average rushing offenses. The logic is that if we rush more we win more. It is not that simple though. I do not know the numbers, but I would bet that the team that has more passing yards in a game also wins the majority of the games they play. If you look at ISU history, in Troy Davis's sophomore and junior years he rushed for more than 2,000 yards each season, and in each of those years, ISU won 1 conference game. I think that the best predictor of where a team will finish, is how that team ranks on team defense, both total yards given and scoring. The top teams in the league give up the fewest points.
If ISU wants to return to 6+ win seasons, then the greatest improvement needed will have to come on the defensive side of the ball. I do not see ISU becoming a team that is able to average scoring 40-50 points a game. We have to become a team that gives up around 25-30 points a game. To do that, more play makers will be needed on defense which will have to come through recruitment and development. This will not be a quick fix.
If ISU wants to return to 6+ win seasons, then the greatest improvement needed will have to come on the defensive side of the ball. I do not see ISU becoming a team that is able to average scoring 40-50 points a game. We have to become a team that gives up around 25-30 points a game. To do that, more play makers will be needed on defense which will have to come through recruitment and development. This will not be a quick fix.