ESPN/Griffin look at our 2009 schedule

[cycloneworld]

You think a win/loss against Iowa is worth that much?

Honestly, I think last year it was. We played Iowa tight into the 4th quarter and if ISU somehow pulls that one out instead of losing it, I think we are 4-0 going into the KU game as I don't see us struggling in the first half against UNLV. And then maybe we don't blow a 20-0 halftime lead against KU.

It's all speculation obviously, but I could make a case that if we win the Iowa game last year, we could have started the season 5-0. We didn't so it doesn't matter one bit but I could see where people thought the Iowa game was a turning point last year (and possibly for future years).

 

[BigLame]

We had enough talent to win 6 games this last year.

The two actual wins.
The meltdown against Kansas.
UNLV went to overtime.
Iowa is always a tossup, and we outgained them in the yardage department.
Option-gate versus Colorado.

There, getting to six wins with one of the worst teams in the nation last year isn't too much of a stretch. I'll say we win between 1 and 7 next year.

I agree with this sentiment.

However, if you look at the losses in key personnel of the other North teams, and it looks to me like there might be an opportunity...

Mizzou: QB, 2 WR, TE, 2 OL & both DEs, DT, & 3 DB (on poor defense)
NU: QB, 2 WRs, RB, 2 starters on OL. Defense looks to return mostly intact
Colorado: 3 DL & 3 DB
KU: 3 LB, both DE, 3 OL - skill guys all back (damn)
KSU: best player, QB, on poor team (but clearly the difference maker last year vs. us!) - then 1 LB & 1 DE. Suppose this doesn't matter, as most this past year were juniors as they came from JC ranks.

A lot of teams will need to address the loss of key players. If the next guy in line comes in next year and performs even better, then it's kind of moot. However, I just don't see Missouri offering up a game changer like Maclin.

Just trying to keep that glass half full, not half empty.

 

[scyclonekid]

I don't really pay alot of attention to those speculations by ESPN. I think we will be a better team and better coached team than the last few years. Scheduling good teams is not all that bad either I do not think. It puts your program on more of a national map for recruiting. Scheduling a cup cake team and blowing them out really does not give you much insight on the upcoming season when conference play approaches or may not know what you are truely made of. If we beat Utah or say lose by three to seven points will not be all that bad and you can work on something like that for the big twelve, better preperation. Maybe also that one recruit or recruits may find more interest in Iowa State thinking he can come here and help with a certain position to get that big victory. Ticket sales too, people want to see better teams and closer games. I would rather see blow outs against better comp. like big twelve than D2 or terrible D1 programs.

 

[Aclone]

because everyone here knows no matter how bad they suck, we'll lose on the road.

I don't know that. :skeptical:

As a matter of fact, when we had a poor team early last season and still won what, 48-28? That tells me we'll win on the road. Our offense will be light years ahead.

 

[jburke]

This prediction is pretty much worthless.

 

[Al_4_State]

I don't know that. :skeptical:

As a matter of fact, when we had a poor team early last season and still won what, 48-28? That tells me we'll win on the road. Our offense will be light years ahead.

I agree with this. I just can't bring myself to predict a road victory, even against a clearly inferior opponent, until I see us do it. It's very likely that we will have a better team than them in all aspects, but until we actually shake bad karma, I can't predict it. Call me an arrogant ******* pessimist, or a bad fan if need be, but I just don't see the point in having too high of hopes over something I have zero control over...

 

[j4state]

The 3-9 part I agree with. Some act like we deserve a homer write-up with a predicted bowl game and I don't see how.

NDSU, Army and one other win sounds realistic after last year. 4 or 5 wins are possible if we come out on top in a swing game or two but I wouldn't say it's likely.

 

[Al_4_State]

The 3-9 part I agree with. Some act like we deserve a homer write-up with a predicted bowl game and I don't see how.

NDSU, Army and one other win sounds realistic after last year. 4 or 5 wins are possible if we come out on top in a swing game or two but I wouldn't say it's likely.

It's called Kool-Aid, and you aren't drinking enough of it. Bad fan! Bad fan!

 

[j4state]

I don't know that. :skeptical:

As a matter of fact, when we had a poor team early last season and still won what, 48-28? That tells me we'll win on the road. Our offense will be light years ahead.

UNLV and Baylor made us look like a Div III team last year away from home. Kent St will be an ugly game. Definition of a coin toss IMO.

 

[erikbj]

You think a win/loss against Iowa is worth that much?

I am saying Iowa should be the toughest non-conference game. If they can win that game, I think it is a launching pad. This team has some experience now and they have a new coach that will bring in a new attitude.

Before Bates left last year and AA was banged up, they were in all of those games. They were better than a 2-10 team the first half of the year. If they can stay healthy and get a positive start to the year, I think 6-7 wins are realistic. However if they start off 2-2 in the non-conference, then a 2-10 or 3-9 season my be staring us in the face.

Not trying to say that the Iowa game is the superbowl. I am trying to say is that if they win that game, it leads to some confidence that we haven't seen in these parts since 2004 or 05.

 

[ketelmeister]

Not sure we can afford to buy out the Utah contract.

 

[Istate]

Just a general point without breaking down each game. Anything less than 5 wins is a trouble for ISU with 6 wins being the break even mark. I hate to say it, but I think that's reality right now. The reason being is that the next two seasons after '09 could be tough to get to 4 wins. If we go 4-8, 4-8, and 4-8 the next three falls, you might find ISU looking for alot more than just money to buy out of a tough non-conference game. Thus, Paul needs this year to buy him the time to get through '10 and '11. After that point, he can hopefully get us to a point where 6-7 wins are the norm. I don't know if he'll have that chance without six (maybe 5) wins next year.

 

[JHudd]

I like us having this game on the schedule, but I am not the one that would benefit from having an easy win on the schedule either. I do find it a bit funny that we have some fans complaining about this when a team like Minnesota is getting a home/home with USC. They were really exposed in the Big 10 season about who they really were and benefited from the easy non-conference schedule they had but are really trying to better their schedule in the future. Would some of you that don't like the Utah game like a USC series?

 

[ajk4st8]

My guess would be 4-8 for next year... although 3-9 seems likely.

Maybe Im just a little afraid after picking us to go 4-8 last year and we only won half that...


Until we get some more new players on D, we are going to struggle.

 

[Omaha Cy]

I can't forsee zero conference wins again. Just can't.

Mizzou and Nebraska are questions marks with a lot of offensive turn over.
K-state will be a .500 team at best.
When healthy Colorado proves to be decent, but thats all we've seen.
ATM/Baylor are improving but still have a lot of work to do.

Okie St/Kansas will most likely dump a ton of points on ISU.

Realistically 4-6 games in conference that They have a shot at. I would put NU and Baylor as the most difficult of those 6 and not likely wins.

 

[cyfanatic]

I like us having this game on the schedule, but I am not the one that would benefit from having an easy win on the schedule either. I do find it a bit funny that we have some fans complaining about this when a team like Minnesota is getting a home/home with USC. They were really exposed in the Big 10 season about who they really were and benefited from the easy non-conference schedule they had but are really trying to better their schedule in the future. Would some of you that don't like the Utah game like a USC series?

The easy non-conference season is what got Minnesota to a bowl game so that scheduling worked for them. I hate Minnesota but it did work for them. What they do to get to the next level...I have no idea.

As for USC...I would be excited to see USC come to Ames...but most likely we would be watching their second and third stringers for much of the game.

 

[IcSyU]

As for USC...I would be excited to see USC come to Ames...but most likely we would be watching their second and third stringers for much of the game.

Maybe they'd get the uniforms mixed up and throw to the wrong team all day.


In which case they'd only beat us by 100 instead of 300 :no:

 

[cyhiphopp]

I like us having this game on the schedule, but I am not the one that would benefit from having an easy win on the schedule either. I do find it a bit funny that we have some fans complaining about this when a team like Minnesota is getting a home/home with USC. They were really exposed in the Big 10 season about who they really were and benefited from the easy non-conference schedule they had but are really trying to better their schedule in the future. Would some of you that don't like the Utah game like a USC series?

My problem with a USC as with the Utah series is that we would then have two very tough non conference games when you add in Iowa. If Minn loses to USC but still goes 3-1 non-conference, they are still in a good position with their big 10 schedule to make it to a bowl. If we have Utah and Iowa on the schedule and don't win at least one of them, it makes it that much harder for us to go bowling.
The good thing about Iowa as opposed to Utah (or USC) is that it is a huge rivalry for us and our fans really get pumped. It gives us that much more chance to win at home. The team also has that chip on their shoulder and drive to win at Kinnick as well. I don't think ISU has much chance to win at Utah or at USC anytime in the near future, while a win at Iowa is possible.
All in all, having two really tough non-conference games is not worth it for ISU. One tough game gives us some credibility, win or lose. Two just handicaps our ability to get to bowl eligibility anytime soon.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Schedules can be changed on relatively short notice to make for good matchups that could not be foreseen. No one is saying it isn't fun to see ISU playing major opponents. But we are not Texas nor OK and we need wins right now and in two years! What if (and I hate to say this) if we lose to Utah and Iowa in close games that season. We are going to have to go 4-4 in the league (which I hope we do better than that) just to be bowl eligible. And if we don't make a bowl game...people will be angry when other teams who played lesser schedules are getting ready for a December game. That is all that people are saying...I think.

I agree here. A bowl game has sooo much value for the team. The extra practice time is huge. The share of the bowl money is huge. Also, the added donations that it will generate will be huge as well. It is a sign that the rebuilding process is working. To sacrifice bowl eligibility for one more tough non-conference game on the schedule is not a good idea.

 

[clone99]

I am sick of playing teams like SDSU and UNI, I am not sure if getting to a bowl game with 3 victories against powderpuff teams, try to upset Iowa and then try to win 3 more conference games so it can come down to the last game of the year to only lose in overtime(although that seems a lot more fun than it did in 05'). The worse part is that we have lost to those teams mentioned before ( well not SDSU, they haven't been D I long enough) how good does that look. Sometimes it is alot more fun to play to have nothing to lose, and play a better team (Utah), than to have everything to lose like playing UNI. With that being said I'm not saying to schedule Ohio State, Florida, USC, the has to be some balance. Play some more MAC teams, like Kent State, maybe will be .500 against that conference some day.