He has a little updating to do but here is his "expert" analysis.
Schedule analysis: Iowa State - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Schedule analysis: Iowa State - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
ESPN's Ubben looks at schedule
- Thread starter SC Cy
- Start date
Agreed, Ubbs( or as we call him in my office, Frodo) seems to like Rhoads a lot and the direction of the program but isn't pulling any punches with how difficult our schedule is. We are going to need to shock someone to get to a bowl this year and I'm circling aTm or Okie St. as my upset favs but then again if I pick it is it really an upset?:smile:
Texas is absolutely beatable. They will still be weak (by their standards) next year.
This seemed the key part of the column to me:
The only potential "shocker" on our schedule would be winning at Norman. There are a lot of tough games, but even wins over OSU or A&M wouldn't be on the shocking level of those road wins. Iowa and UConn would be big wins, but far more akin to last year's TTU game than the Nebraska/Texas games.
This seemed the key part of the column to me:
Quasimodo said:
The only potential "shocker" on our schedule would be winning at Norman. There are a lot of tough games, but even wins over OSU or A&M wouldn't be on the shocking level of those road wins. Iowa and UConn would be big wins, but far more akin to last year's TTU game than the Nebraska/Texas games.
ISU is probably going to have to start winning 8-9 games annually before that happens.
I agree with this point of view. When will we get to the level of a program that doesn't need upsets to get to bowl games? I am not talking BCS bowl games...just 6-6 bowl games. We are replacing some key parts of our team this year which coincides with year 3 of the PR regime. This needs to be a year where we see a lot of growth from the football program...not a lot of hope!
Tough schedule for sure...and that plays a part I guess.
I disagree. I think by the time we play OSU, beating them would be a shocker. They will be a top 10 team. The thing about playing Oklahoma when we do is that now it's right before bedlam which could be the biggest game of the year across the whole nation. I know it sounds silly but one could argue that OSU will be the best team in the conference outside of Oklahoma. There is no doubt in my mind that OK will be looking past us. Will that be enough for us to take advantage? I doubt it but who knows at this point. aTm wouldn't be shocking at all though. In fact, they will probably be a team positioned similar to Nebraska and Texas when we play them. Good teams, but not top 10. We absolutely have to beat:
UNI
UCONN
TT
KSU
Kansas
Mizzou/Baylor
If we start 4-0 we sure as hell better have more than 7 wins when the season is over.
I think OSU makes a gigantic misstep at some point this season. Their offense is going to have an inexplicably bad game somewhere, and their defense isn't that great. We're going to be an underdog in that game, but in this day and age, any BCS level school can beat any other @ home. I would put this in the "shocker" category in Stillwater.
We had 5 wins after the KU game last season and didnt win another one. Hard to believe we could have finished with 8 wins and played for the Big 12 title. What has killed us is a lack of a bye week, that will not be the case this season.
Having a Blaine Gabbert might have helped also. If the qb position can improve, we would be a much better team.
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I think the questions surrounding the skill positions are what drive people to question whether ISU will compete.
From and insiders perspective we have a lot of young talented potential. From an outsiders perspective there are WAY too many questions to give ISU the benefit of the doubt in most games.
I think we will be better than most people think but I agree that reaching a bowl will require and upset or two and some luck.
The 2001 team started 3-0 and finished 7-5.
The 1999 team started 4-2 and finished 4-7.
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