Did the high expectations kill this season?

[NoCreativity]

Last year this exact same team showed up every game as the alpha with a high amount of confidence they would win.

This year's team looks scared, uninspired, and like they aren't having much fun. Maybe the pressure of repeating last year with 65,000 fans in attendance is too much for them.

 

[SCNCY]

I think right now, the high expectations are not the cause of the fan bases disappointment. We lost a very winnable game against Iowa, which is also a rivalry game. Then this weekend we lost to Baylor, which we would have expected to beat in an other Campbell coached team at Iowa State (except year 1). Even two years ago when we lost to Baylor, we were very upset over the loss, despite the heat and lack of tents.

Maybe as the season goes on and we lose some more, then maybe the expectations were high vs. what reality should have been. But so far, there is nothing from the teams we've played that said we shouldn't have beaten them with the returning team we have this year.

 

[madguy30]

Last year this exact same team showed up every game as the alpha with a high amount of confidence they would win.

This year's team looks scared, uninspired, and like they aren't having much fun. Maybe the pressure of repeating last year with 65,000 fans in attendance is too much for them.

They didn't look that way vs. UL, Okie State, or Baylor for about half of that game, or really down at Texas until the 2nd half. Looked OK vs. TCU and Tech, and then KSU and WV were basically done before the 1st quarter was over.

Last year's team lost 3 games in a shortened season and needed some breaks to win a few games.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Yes, we had the bar set too high. Partially media hype (Local and National) and partially fan hype. You have to be nucking futs to 'predict' an 11 or 12 win season at ISU. Not saying it couldn't/wouldn't happen, but if you are expecting to be in the playoffs, you probably need to take a cold shower or breathe into a paper bag.

 

[madguy30]

Yes, we had the bar set too high. Partially media hype (Local and National) and partially fan hype. You have to be nucking futs to 'predict' an 11 or 12 win season at ISU. Not saying it couldn't/wouldn't happen, but if you are expecting to be in the playoffs, you probably need to take a cold shower or breathe into a paper bag.

The 'well we still can get into the CFP, just can't screw up again' after the Iowa game was an interesting take.

I would maybe start to think they could get 10 if they were 4-0 right now, but the losses are too similar to think the same won't happen again.

 

[ClonesInDallas]

Yes, we had the bar set too high. Partially media hype (Local and National) and partially fan hype. You have to be nucking futs to 'predict' an 11 or 12 win season at ISU. Not saying it couldn't/wouldn't happen, but if you are expecting to be in the playoffs, you probably need to take a cold shower or breathe into a paper bag.

It wasn't just media and fan hype. Vegas had us as the 6th best odds in the country to make the CFP.

 

[CyBobby]

I think there is certainly some truth to this. It's essentially what Iowa has been doing the last 15 years close. Play conservative, keep the game close and hope things fall your way in the end. Sometimes years they do and you have a Top 10 type year. Other years they don't.

With that said, I think where so much of the frustration lies here in the predictability of it. Bad special teams play and slow starts in September have been an issue since Campbell got here and it's really confounding how these things haven't been addressed. That's a fair criticism. So while it's understandable that sometimes you catch breaks and sometimes you don't, that doesn't absolve the coaching staff for a failure to fix issues that have been evident for several years now.

"THAT'S A FAIR CRITICISM".....I agree with you Clonefan32....Special Teams and the Month of September have been bad since CMC got here, hopefully Coach Campbell & his staff will fix these problems...."and remember GO CYCLONES"...Quoting Coach Matt Campbell

 

[CyBobby]

Yes, we had the bar set too high. Partially media hype (Local and National) and partially fan hype. You have to be nucking futs to 'predict' an 11 or 12 win season at ISU. Not saying it couldn't/wouldn't happen, but if you are expecting to be in the playoffs, you probably need to take a cold shower or breathe into a paper bag.

I agree with what you are saying Nick...I have been waiting since October 1962...
I was hopeful that this would be our MAGICAL SEASON and maybe win a Conference Championship and get invited to the CFP......

 

[bostrem00]

No. This team is who I thought it was.

 

[beentherebefore]

Kill it? We are four games in. Have the early expectations led to disappointment among fans? Sure.

 

[drmwevr08]

Not being good ruined this season. Being good here on out could save it.

 

[davegilbertson]

Season isn't dead yet. This team always plays poorly in September, only to flip a switch in October and play like a completely different team. We literally had a similar conversation last year. In other words, talk to me after Columbus Day.

I think people are just wanting to see that next step up and with what we had returning, all americans, hype of offensive line with 11 guys ready only to see some problems we're all too familiar with.

Absolutely plenty to play for, but majority of the blue sky 'next step' are not possible now. Barring running the table from here on out. Big 12 CCG or title still possibilities, but we're starting conference play in the deficit.

 

[Iluvteak]

My biggest games are Iowa, Baylor and OkSt. So the season is basically a fail for me. I know they are just college kids so I won’t beat them up too much. They look way too tight to me, but I’ve thought that from day 1 with Campbell. He’s too much the old school discipline coach for my tastes.

 

[Cyclonefan710]

It’s a top 4 team on paper. So yeah - it’s been tough. But we can and should win out. And the conference is wide open.

You just have to lol at the delusion.

 

[mj4cy]

I never wanted this season to start because I knew we are Iowa State and we don't get good things.

 

[NWICY]

Turnovers were 1:1 vs Baylor.
Not why we lost.
Iowa maybe.
[/QUOTE]

LOL, I guess technically it wasn't a turn over but that punt receiving disaster that should have been caught on the 50. That was the beginning of the end of that game. At least the new punt returner is willing to catch the FB even though he makes it really exciting with over the shoulder catches etc..
The scoop and score off of Breece was a free 7.

Let's face it guys CW and Co. sell the hype and we believe it every yr for every sport because we want to though we should no better. I still think the FB team can end up with at least 8 wins.

 

[madguy30]

My biggest games are Iowa, Baylor and OkSt. So the season is basically a fail for me. I know they are just college kids so I won’t beat them up too much. They look way too tight to me, but I’ve thought that from day 1 with Campbell. He’s too much the old school discipline coach for my tastes.

What would you prefer? The program prides itself on being player-led.

 

[Pope]

I wish our fans followed the example of our coach by focusing on the process instead of the results. I think that's one of the things that makes Campbell so special and why we're so fortunate to have him.

When you focus on the results, you end up declaring the season a lost cause in September (like the title of this thread). A season like last year would not have been possible.

When the focus on the process, you judge the success of the season at the END of the season. By focusing on the process (i.e., continuous improvement throughout the long season), you have a much better opportunity to play in the championship game.

I was so crushed with disappointment after the Iowa and Baylor games that I forced myself to avoid this website for a few days after each of those games. But I felt a lot better after listening to Campbell's comments.

Hang in there folks. Our season is not over!

 

[Jeh]

Iowa State's expected final record, per Massey, is 6.72-5.28, or 7-5 if you round. Computer rakings aren't highly accurate with only 4 games played, but it seems that we'll be playing for an ordinary bowl game, with above 50-50 chances of making one.

 

[cyclonemagic]

Is it Brocktober yet?