Does Paul Rhoads underemphasize the Iowa game?

[mikem]

And let me be clear. I was not expecting a win today. I'm just frustrated at the nonsense I hear from people trying to downplay this game.

This is spot on, and don't think for a minute that this staff is not sitting around tonight very concerned about the way this team didn't line up and compete today. There is really nothing that you can point to, and feel good about.

Last year, at least you could point to the job that o-line did, and even that the defense didn't do that poorly, the offense (and a horrible onside kick call), put them in a hole all day.

The only thing to really remember is that this is probably the best team that I have seen at Iowa since the mid 80's. When you have a front four that can play like they do, it covers up a lot of defensive inadequacies.

 

[atomicfire]

Many people seem to agree that this years Iowa team is better than this years Iowa State team. What I want to say is that today, ISU did not fully come to play football at the level required to actually compete.

ISU has many disadvantages this year (linebackers, etc) yet if they could have executed the fundamentals better and had some better play calling on offense, they could have made this a more competitive ball game.

I don't think Iowa State came to play today. I don't know if that was coaching or if that was something else, they just weren't in Iowa City and it showed. Its so frustrating to be a fan when the people you cheer for phone it in.

I hate the Big Ten but I hope Ohio State makes Iowa cry mercy

 

[Swanson10]

Were people not listening to the Ron today? He relayed that Kirk said there are only 3-6 D-I players in this state a year. Big battle lines to win there, especially since more then half the state lives in Carp country.

 

[deadeyededric]

It wasn't like Mac competed well with Iowa until Hayden let the program slide, and Ferentz had to come in and build it back up. When Iowa was bad, we beat them, I know except for 2002.

In terms of recruiting, it really never had a bearing on what happened in-state. Other than a handful of exceptions, Mac never took an Iowa high school player that Iowa wanted. What he managed to do, which was important, was that he was able to get players that Iowa may have grey shirted, to come here on scholarship so he closed the gap in that case.

The problem is that too many Iowa State fans care way too much about this game. You know, I don't care about the game other than the week before, and the week after so I don't have to listen to them chirp.

But even the years when we beat them, as soon as they got into their conference schedule, and had some success, the Iowa State game was inconsequential, except to the Iowa State fans that care more about this early season non-conference game than they should. And of course our schedule got much tougher, playing the best of a strong rotatiion in the Big 12 (and the North was good) and we started faltering and the losses piled up beating Iowa didn't matter.

When we lost 15 in a row, it was important to beat them, only for the sake of legitimacy. Mac was around at the right time for that, and good for him (of course he still hasn't gotten another head coaching job at any level, which is a big red sign about the true esteem with which he is held in the coaching profession).

I thought that Rhoads did a nice job last year with a weaker schedule, and kept his kids together. This year will be much tougher just based on who we have to play.

Not true. Guys like Casey Shelton, Tyson Smith, Andy Stensrud, Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe. There were plenty of guys that Iowa wanted.

 

[CyBobby]

Quoting Jack Whitver..."One of the things that does happen when you lose to Iowa is that your in state recruiting suffers. When we beat Iowa 5 games in a row guys committed to Iowa State instead of Iowa."


Thanks Jack my boy I could Not have said it better.

 

[ISUKyro]

Would people been more happy if CPR blew this game up so large for his players that they just quit after the loss????

Come on, he had to keep every one of his players in a certain mind set. There is a ton of football to play and if this game deflates the entire team, with our schedule we are done.

But CPR doesn't let that happen. He makes sure they understand that they go back to work and try to pick up the next one.

 

[kingcy]

Quoting Jack Whitver..."One of the things that does happen when you lose to Iowa is that your in state recruiting suffers. When we beat Iowa 5 games in a row guys committed to Iowa State instead of Iowa."


Thanks Jack my boy I could Not have said it better.

It maybe true for a guy or two, but winning this game doesnt really affect where players go. If you are raised an Iowa fan that is where you are going.