Expectations

[BCClone]

Perspective in life is extremely important.

Perspective in sports, IMHO, is not real-life. What happened 20 years ago or hell even last year (in most cases) nearly does not matter at all.

Are you able to give an example where fans or posters are not dealing in reality right now?

This thread. There are people putting TOO much of their life into a college sports team that they have no control of. My kids, my wife, my business and probably 100 other things take priority over any sports team. And I love football and love ISU, but some people need to look at reality and realize their lives will still go on and not change if ISU wins a game or not. So get over the lose in 5-10 minutes afterwards and move on. The players have.

 

[Cloned4Life]

I remembered having a similar conversation about expectations heading into the NCAA tournament last spring, so I went back and found my post about it. I think it still applies here. (It just so happened to also be in response to @Cloned4Life saying that the only thing that should matter is what happens in the current season, except in regards to basketball.)



Obviously, the game on Saturday was really disappointing. But while disappointment is allowed, I don't think it's useful to push aside history or say that any setback is "unacceptable." If the setbacks are "unacceptable," then nothing is acceptable except constant improvement. And if you don't know where you came from, you can't fully appreciate where you are now. To me, both of those just seem like a miserable way to be a fan.

Are there posters or fans saying that the loss on Saturday was "unacceptable"? Are there really posters calling for Campbell to be fired!? That is absolutely nuts, if so.

And yeah, I am a big proponent of "not worrying about preseason expectations" in basketball especially. Appreciate you finding my old posts on the topic (ha). I have admittedly flip-flopped on many topics but glad to know I haven't on that one. There are just WAY too many variables to accurately predict much in the preseason. We just don't know much of anything. Most of our best teams were NOT predicated to be great. And yeah, I suppose it is fair to also give coaches credit for "raising" expectations mid-season, but again, you'd be giving credence to the preseason predictions by doing that.

Judging anything based on not having all the facts is just so crazy silly to me. The preseason predictions for the Big 12 alone (football this year) are some of the worst preseason predictions of all time.

 

[Cyclonsin]

The last part is spot on. We are very evenly matched on the field in this new Big 12. The recruiting rankings seem to indicate we are NOT evenly matched, but we know based on the results on the field that we, in fact, are matching up well with other teams in this conference. I’m not seeing anyone here ‘expecting’ to win based on getting off the bus. That’s pure projection. The teams that are better coached and execute better down the stretch will make the title game. That’s obvious. What’s also obvious is that all the other teams in this race have also had games just like we have had. Colorado, K-State, hell even BYU have had games where - like you stated above - their fans would not be confident in their title hopes.

The only example I've seen here of fans having (what I consider to be) unreasonable expectations is from the OP, particularly this line:

...But to sit here and say, given our projected strength of schedule the next several years and say we should be happy with non-double digit win totals in multiple of those years is silly...

Winning 10 games is still going to be VERY tough to do on a regular basis.

And, for the record, we're near the bottom of the Big XII in terms of average recruit ranking, but the whole conference is pretty close.

BYU has the lowest 2025 average at 86.17 (we're #15 at 86.26), but UCF is #1 at only 88.36. Those are crazy thin margins, and certainly something that can be overcome with superior development and coaching.

 

[State2015]

This thread. There are people putting TOO much of their life into a college sports team that they have no control of. My kids, my wife, my business and probably 100 other things take priority over any sports team. And I love football and love ISU, but some people need to look at reality and realize their lives will still go on and not change if ISU wins a game or not. So get over the lose in 5-10 minutes afterwards and move on. The players have.

AND if someone is going to hitch their well-being to a college football team, why ISU? If you’re the type that is gonna be miserable after every loss, go get a Georgia shirt at Walmart

 

[Cloned4Life]

This thread. There are people putting TOO much of their life into a college sports team that they have no control of. My kids, my wife, my business and probably 100 other things take priority over any sports team. And I love football and love ISU, but some people need to look at reality and realize their lives will still go on and not change if ISU wins a game or not. So get over the lose in 5-10 minutes afterwards and move on. The players have.

Hell yes, totally agree.

For my own education, how do you judge a post or a poster is putting too much of their life into a college sports team?

 

[madguy30]

I figured a fumble was coming at some point when Pasch noted ISU hadn't lost a fumble this season.

He also mentioned ISU being one of least-penalized teams more than once, and the penalties seemed to accumulate after that.

AND I'm pretty sure they said something about Konrardy nailing a 50+ yarder at Iowa just before whatever that was in the 4th quarter.

I used to like Pasch.

 

[Cloned4Life]

The only example I've seen here of fans having (what I consider to be) unreasonable expectations is from the OP, particularly this line:



Winning 10 games is still going to be VERY tough to do on a regular basis.

And, for the record, we're near the bottom of the Big XII in terms of average recruit ranking, but the whole conference is pretty close.

BYU has the lowest 2025 average at 86.17 (we're #15 at 86.26), but UCF is #1 at only 88.36. Those are crazy thin margins, and certainly something that can be overcome with superior development and coaching.

Thanks for the reply! Sincerely.

It would be very awesome to get at least one 10-win season. Given that we're already at 7 - based on how we have looked and how other teams in this conference have looked, I think we've got a really good chance to get there.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

Picked 6th preseason, our entire starting linebacker corps are dead.... and being 7-1 isn't good enough. They can **** off. I wouldn't care but it actually matters now, the players are on Twitter and see this **** and in this day and age they can leave whenever they want and get a pay raise at a lot of other places.
Being upset is good but some people are too spoiled.

 

[madguy30]

The only example I've seen here of fans having (what I consider to be) unreasonable expectations is from the OP, particularly this line:



Winning 10 games is still going to be VERY tough to do on a regular basis.

And, for the record, we're near the bottom of the Big XII in terms of average recruit ranking, but the whole conference is pretty close.

BYU has the lowest 2025 average at 86.17 (we're #15 at 86.26), but UCF is #1 at only 88.36. Those are crazy thin margins, and certainly something that can be overcome with superior development and coaching.

I guess I don't know where I would have guessed for those two schools but definitely not those rankings.

 

[madguy30]

Picked 6th preseason, our entire starting linebacker corps are dead.... and being 7-1 isn't good enough. They can **** off. I wouldn't care but it actually matters now, the players are on Twitter and see this **** and in this day and age they can leave whenever they want and get a pay raise at a lot of other places.
Being upset is good but some people are too spoiled.

Are you saying the dead starting linebackers can **** off?

This is not the time to kick them while they're down!

/s

 

[Cloned4Life]

It doesn't, not entirely. But at the same time... it is about context.

If you said coming into the season, absolutely bare minimum, you win 7 games and beat Iowa, most fans would maybe not thrilled, but also, would be OK.

I was a fan through Walden and was alive but not a fan as I was very young during the end of Criner. But I remember raking leaves in the fall listening to Iowa State vs Nebraska being down 63-0 or 63-14 etc. So context kinda matters.


But the idea that a 7-1 team with a 1 point loss people shouldn't show up for... that's insane. I get the disappointment and it was an ugly loss, albeit not on the scoreboard.

But we need to appreciate having a chance to win 9-10 games while being disappointed at losing a winnable home game. You need to be able to do both. Appreciate the run, appreciate what we could still achieve though its tougher now - and be disappointed. I don't get why it has to be either the best thing ever and then the second you hit a speed bump its the end of the world.


Cause I'm just gonna say... if that's your approach , man, life's going to rip you apart, my friend, if it hasn't already. Cause sometimes there aren't speed bumps but damn Grand Canyon sized craters . So I'd say its not so much about context per say, but remembering that you can both be happy with a great start to the season, support the team, but be disappointed.

Don't get married or have children if you can't handle a little disappointment without wanting to take your ball and run home every time. That's my unsolicited advice.

Meant to reply to this earlier. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I agree with what you have here.

Personally, I just don't think there are very many people (at all - not here anyway) that are SO PISSED about Saturday that it is affecting their life, their lives, their relationships, their jobs, etc. Maybe a few dumba$$es on Twitter but those types of posts are just so outlandish it could just be a drunk college kid saying something stupid and not even remembering it the next day.

Overall, I am just not seeing THAT many posters here that are crazy overboard expressing their disappointment. I truly the majority here are reasonable. I would wager that the vast majority of folks here are still really pumped about the rest of the season and excited for basketball to start tonight too. Going to be a fun winter ahead!

 

[flycy]

Serious question - why does it matter that we used to suck at football? What relevance does it have to the Team’s performance or mentality or results this season? Why is “perspective” (in relation to the program’s history or whatever) important or helpful (or something newer fans need to educate themselves on) this season?

Because you act like ISU is some financial and recruiting juggernaut. It's actually the opposite and the football team and coaching staff have far, far exceeded their talent rankings and resources. Then a bunch of crybabies talk about their "expectations" and disappointment in the team that has the best record EVER at ISU. For all the ******** about Campbell, I don't know how you don't crown him as the best coach in the Big 12 and one of the best in the nation.

 

[flycy]

No I am saying Saturday was an unacceptable loss. There are plenty of people that say "7-1, why are we complaining? Our preseason win projection was 7.5!!!!" like holy **** expectations can and should change when we are in the driver's seat for conference contention. This is not the 90s anymore. We don't look like a team that could win the conference right now and that is what is upsetting people my age despite the weak schedule we get to play.

We also don't have a particularly weak schedule. Look around, at least half to 2/3 of Power 5 teams have no harder of a schedule.

 

[Cloned4Life]

Because you act like ISU is some financial and recruiting juggernaut. It's actually the opposite and the football team and coaching staff have far, far exceeded their talent rankings and resources. Then a bunch of crybabies talk about their "expectations" and disappointment in the team that has the best record EVER at ISU. For all the ******** about Campbell, I don't know how you don't crown him as the best coach in the Big 12 and one of the best in the nation.

Are you able to share what I’ve expressed that leads you to believe that I think that we are some financial or recruiting juggernaut?

I don’t think that, so I apologize if that’s how my posts are logically interpreted. Would appreciate an example that I could learn from.

To add - I think CMC has proven to be one of the best coaches in the conference. I think most fans and reporters around college football would agree.

 

[BCClone]

Hell yes, totally agree.

For my own education, how do you judge a post or a poster is putting too much of their life into a college sports team?

When they have non stop complained about the loss in several posts. The one individual has started several any chance he/she can get (most likely a troll) when we don't win and/or win by enough in their book. If you have threads locked or posts deleted due to excessive whining, you have went too far.

 

[MJ271]

Are there posters or fans saying that the loss on Saturday was "unacceptable"? Are there really posters calling for Campbell to be fired!? That is absolutely nuts, if so.

On the first question, there's one in this thread. On the second question, there were a couple after the bowl loss. To be fair, it was a couple of posters who are absolutely ridiculous and pretty much only appear after a loss. But they do exist (and the number can increase pretty quick).

And yeah, I am a big proponent of "not worrying about preseason expectations" in basketball especially. Appreciate you finding my old posts on the topic (ha). I have admittedly flip-flopped on many topics but glad to know I haven't on that one. There are just WAY too many variables to accurately predict much in the preseason. We just don't know much of anything. Most of our best teams were NOT predicated to be great. And yeah, I suppose it is fair to also give coaches credit for "raising" expectations mid-season, but again, you'd be giving credence to the preseason predictions by doing that.

Judging anything based on not having all the facts is just so crazy silly to me. The preseason predictions for the Big 12 alone (football this year) are some of the worst preseason predictions of all time.

I do appreciate your consistency--I wasn't expecting it to be in response to the exact same person.

In regards to basketball, I understand why you'd say that teams can change so much that you shouldn't give credence to preseason predictions. But at the same time, that would imply that we shouldn't be pretty disappointed if we get to Big 12 play and Iowa State clearly isn't even an NCAA tournament team. I expect you wouldn't agree with that, and I wouldn't either.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

The only example I've seen here of fans having (what I consider to be) unreasonable expectations is from the OP, particularly this line:



Winning 10 games is still going to be VERY tough to do on a regular basis.

And, for the record, we're near the bottom of the Big XII in terms of average recruit ranking, but the whole conference is pretty close.

BYU has the lowest 2025 average at 86.17 (we're #15 at 86.26), but UCF is #1 at only 88.36. Those are crazy thin margins, and certainly something that can be overcome with superior development and coaching.

That range is within the margin of error of almost any measuring system, especially with something as imprecise as human athletic projections. Statistically we are not recruiting any better or worse than any other team in the conference.

 

[Cloned4Life]

On the first question, there's one in this thread. On the second question, there were a couple after the bowl loss. To be fair, it was a couple of posters who are absolutely ridiculous and pretty much only appear after a loss. But they do exist (and the number can increase pretty quick).


I do appreciate your consistency--I wasn't expecting it to be in response to the exact same person.

In regards to basketball, I understand why you'd say that teams can change so much that you shouldn't give credence to preseason predictions. But at the same time, that would imply that we shouldn't be pretty disappointed if we get to Big 12 play and Iowa State clearly isn't even an NCAA tournament team. I expect you wouldn't agree with that, and I wouldn't either.

Good point in your last paragraph, appreciate the back and forth. I really didn't think about the "inverse" of my own question/stance. So I do have to contradict myself and correct myself a bit - I would agree that I would be a bit disappointed if we come to find out mid-season that this basketball team isn't "good". "Sports disappointed"

 

[WalkingCY]

We won those games. If you’ve watched college football this season it’s crazy obvious how much parity there is. LOTS of the so-called conference title contenders have had clunkers, even in wins. To win a conference title, you’ve got to get lucky and squeak by the wins when it doesn’t feel like ya deserve to win or didn’t play great. The UCF game is the exact type of game that conference title contenders have to be tough enough to win. And we were! And I think still are. I’ll be disappointed to “lose” (again) the way we did against Texas Tech.

Agree. I think the best thing for this team is to get the heck away from Ames and play a game somewhere else this weekend. Clear their minds. They’ve seemed to be better focused on the road this year and have looked tight in spots at home.

Time to get back at it against KU. Gotta respond after the tough loss!

 

[jsb]

One thing I know is that if we lose to Kansas, some of you will have to be sedated.

I get that the last 2 games gave us some concerns. But for god's sake, every team has concerns.