Final Thoughts from Baylor and Looking Forward

[ClonesInDallas]

Couple of points I wanted to run by you arm chair experts and get your thoughts:

1.) Criticism of Brock - I'm actually pretty shocked to see the criticism Brock has received after the Baylor game. While I don't think he was great, I certainly don't see his performance as a negative. His turnover was costly, but I don't think he's being utilized correctly by this staff. Which brings me to my next thought...

2.) Rolling Brock out of the Pocket - I'm at a loss as to why we aren't rolling him out of the pocket more. In the past I've understood the reasoning as the talent or experience downgrade from #1 to #2, in the event he gets hurt, has been sizeable. This isn't the case anymore. If you listen to the Williams and Blum Sunday podcast, they have said how the staff feels that we won't feel much of an effect on losing Brock and passing the reigns to Dekkers. Secondly, we've seen time and time again how the smaller size of Brock has led to balls tipped at the line of scrimmage and being picked off. Rolling Brock outside the pocket helps avoid these tipped balls and brings a greater threat in using Brock's legs to open up other aspects of the offense.

3.) Soft Zone Defense and Lack of First Half Adjustments - I understand and appreciate Heacock's philosophy of running the soft zone at the start of the game to gauge the opponent's offensive gameplan, however, I'm left wondering why adjustments are not coming sooner than halftime? The first three drives vs Baylor resulted in touchdowns and we were not able to force them off the field until a minute remained in the first half. It almost feels blasphemous to complain about the D with how good they've been, but for a staff that pours over every detail to refine and find ways to be better this is one that has crossed my mind.

4.) Special Teams - This has been discussed ad nauseum on here and I don't have much different to add than what has been said. After seeing this cost us games in multiple seasons, at some point you'd think Campbell has to say "Okay obviously something isn't working. This is a glaring weakness for our staff. Lets bring someone in to focus on this and this only." He has shown multiple times that he is willing to shake things up in a big way when things aren't working between the defensive change in 2017 and the S&C staff overhaul. For any hope that our next generation of talent achieves more than our current upperclassmen, the way they approach special teams going forward has to be radically changed.

I think the next couple of weeks are going to be just what this team needs. If there is any good time to change things up and try different approaches its now with KU coming to town this weekend and an extra week in between games with the bye following. Hopefully Brocktober strikes again and gets this team right back into Big 12 Championship game contention going into a tough November.

 

[VeloClone]

I think the defense is brilliant if coupled with a competent offense. They play a vanilla defense in the first half which may cost them a score or two. They don't adjust until halftime by design. If they made the adjustments in the first half the opposition would have an opportunity to make wholesale adjustments at halftime negating some of what was gained. By waiting until halftime the offense is forced to make any adjustments to the changed defense on the fly which is more difficult and not as effective. I think it is brilliant and I hope they don't change a thing. An offense that has 4 quarters to outscore another offense's 2 or 2+ quarters of production can make up a lot of ground on a better offense.

 

[MartyFine]

Couple of points I wanted to run by you arm chair experts and get your thoughts:

1.) Criticism of Brock - I'm actually pretty shocked to see the criticism Brock has received after the Baylor game. While I don't think he was great, I certainly don't see his performance as a negative. His turnover was costly, but I don't think he's being utilized correctly by this staff. Which brings me to my next thought...

2.) Rolling Brock out of the Pocket - I'm at a loss as to why we aren't rolling him out of the pocket more. In the past I've understood the reasoning as the talent or experience downgrade from #1 to #2, in the event he gets hurt, has been sizeable. This isn't the case anymore. If you listen to the Williams and Blum Sunday podcast, they have said how the staff feels that we won't feel much of an effect on losing Brock and passing the reigns to Dekkers. Secondly, we've seen time and time again how the smaller size of Brock has led to balls tipped at the line of scrimmage and being picked off. Rolling Brock outside the pocket helps avoid these tipped balls and brings a greater threat in using Brock's legs to open up other aspects of the offense.

3.) Soft Zone Defense and Lack of First Half Adjustments - I understand and appreciate Heacock's philosophy of running the soft zone at the start of the game to gauge the opponent's offensive gameplan, however, I'm left wondering why adjustments are not coming sooner than halftime? The first three drives vs Baylor resulted in touchdowns and we were not able to force them off the field until a minute remained in the first half. It almost feels blasphemous to complain about the D with how good they've been, but for a staff that pours over every detail to refine and find ways to be better this is one that has crossed my mind.

4.) Special Teams - This has been discussed ad nauseum on here and I don't have much different to add than what has been said. After seeing this cost us games in multiple seasons, at some point you'd think Campbell has to say "Okay obviously something isn't working. This is a glaring weakness for our staff. Lets bring someone in to focus on this and this only." He has shown multiple times that he is willing to shake things up in a big way when things aren't working between the defensive change in 2017 and the S&C staff overhaul. For any hope that our next generation of talent achieves more than our current upperclassmen, the way they approach special teams going forward has to be radically changed.

I think the next couple of weeks are going to be just what this team needs. If there is any good time to change things up and try different approaches its now with KU coming to town this weekend and an extra week in between games with the bye following. Hopefully Brocktober strikes again and gets this team right back into Big 12 Championship game contention going into a tough November.

Because at no point prior to halftime do the coaches have 30 minutes to make the adjustments.

 

[nrg4isu]

1) Brock criticisms.

Agreed, he played well enough against Baylor. Maybe about average of last season.

2) Rollouts.

My take on this at least through the first 3 games was that the "growth goal" for Brock Purdy this year was to get him into the NFL. Make him a "true pocket passer", cut down on mistakes, etc. That hasn't worked, because that's not who Brock is. I'm in agreement with you, we need to play to his strengths and face the music that he's not going to be the NFL game manager type.

3) Halftime adjustments of the defense

I recently heard someone say that halftime adjustments are mostly a media creation. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but I agree that the ability to change gameplans at halftime is probably overblown. Personally, what I think I'm seeing is a slow ramp-up of intensity - not some wholesale change of gameplan. Our D-Line looks average to start most games, but by the end we look unstoppable. (UNI first 3 drives notwithstanding) I guess the genius of Heacock is that no one can figure out what exactly he's doing.

4) Special Teams.

No comment, nothing to say that hasn't already been said

Overall, I think this is still one of our most talented teams. I still think we have 3+ draft picks on this team. I think there's still a chance we'll be favored in every game except OU. I would not want to be Kansas on Saturday.

 

[ZRF]

Because at no point prior to halftime do the coaches have 30 minutes to make the adjustments.

You don't need 30 minutes to make that kind of adjustment. That's what practices are for (schemes).

We should be practicing/prepping our base defense and a 4 man/disguised blitz alternative when the 3 man rush is ineffective. When the latter happens, as we've seen numerous times against good/elite competition, the zone gets picked apart (as does every zone that gives QBs time). The first half our base was getting picked apart and Heacock didn't adjust until half time. You can't expect to spot a team 21 + easy first half points and win on the road. That's putting your offense in a very tough position.

Heacock is great but he, along with the rest of our staff, are often too slow or stubborn to adjust during a game.

 

[MartyFine]

You don't need 30 minutes to make that kind of adjustment. That's what practices are for (schemes).

We should be practicing/prepping our base defense and a 4 man/disguised blitz alternative when the 3 man rush is ineffective. When the latter happens, as we've seen numerous times against good/elite competition, the zone gets picked apart (as does every zone that gives QBs time). The first half our base was getting picked apart and Heacock didn't adjust until half time. You can't expect to spot a team 21 + easy first half points and win on the road. That's putting your offense in a very tough position.

Heacock is great but he, along with the rest of our staff, are often too slow or stubborn to adjust during a game.

You are welcome to stop by practice and explain to Jon Heacock how much he is obviously missing.

 

[cyclone1209]

You are welcome to stop by practice and explain to Jon Heacock how much he is obviously missing.

Yeah the D has 0% due to our record right now. Special teams and lack of touchdowns are the killers that got us here.

 

[ZRF]

Yeah the D has 0% due to our record right now. Special teams and lack of touchdowns are the killers that got us here.

Heacock knows the offense is unreliable and the special teams are a mess. Right now our defense is how we are going to win games. It makes no sense what so ever to stick with the 3 man front and wait to give up 250-300 yards before making adjustments at halftime. We I think it's probably we could have stopped some of that bleeding an given ourselves a better chance.

Everyone knows the defense is the least of our concerns, but that doesn't give Heacock a free pass for waiting to make adjustments at half time in every game the 3 man front isn't effective (or starts that way). Even IF we didn't have the other issues 21 points is a pretty big hole against a competent team on the road.

 

[SCarolinaCy]

Because at no point prior to halftime do the coaches have 30 minutes to make the adjustments.

That's why you have contingencies.

 

[CascadeClone]

You don't need 30 minutes to make that kind of adjustment. That's what practices are for (schemes).

We should be practicing/prepping our base defense and a 4 man/disguised blitz alternative when the 3 man rush is ineffective. When the latter happens, as we've seen numerous times against good/elite competition, the zone gets picked apart (as does every zone that gives QBs time). The first half our base was getting picked apart and Heacock didn't adjust until half time. You can't expect to spot a team 21 + easy first half points and win on the road. That's putting your offense in a very tough position.

Heacock is great but he, along with the rest of our staff, are often too slow or stubborn to adjust during a game.

Congrats, I think this post just got my first ever "dumb" rating.

 

[ZRF]

That's why you have contingencies.

Right? You don't come up with a scheme in 30 minutes and "teach" it to your players. You develop those throughout the offseason, in-season practices, then implement during a game. I understand not doing so DURING a drive, but there is zero reason to wait until halftime to make these kinds about changes, or in some cases not doing them at all.

The games off the top of my head where the defense/scheme gave the QB all day to throw the ball were OU (both games last year), Texas, and Baylor this year. Our zone defense works when there is consistent, adequate pressure: teams don't have the time to find the soft spots and the defense usually thrives. When we don't get that QBs pick us a part, and often put our offense in a big hole.

Point is, Heacock should anticipate and have an alternative ready to implement PRIOR to half time. Whether it's a base 4 or a combination of different blitzes, we need to be able to generate penetration and prevent digging ourselves a hole. We were fortunate to win TWO of those games last year but this year, especially with the way the offense is playing, we can't afford the luxury.

I don't understand the people who think "Heacock isn't THE problem" and "Heacock needs to be quicker with some adjustments" are mutually exclusive when they're not.

 

[awd4cy]

I said Baylor was an important game and now @ KSU is really important. Lose and this season is a failure, win and we are working our way back to salvaging the season. That one will be coming off of a bye week, so not sure what to expect.

 

[DarkStar]

Best Baylor game recap I've read yet.

Iowa State vs. Baylor Recap: It’s All Part of the Journey — A Perfect Storm . Cyclone Football

Perspective. It can be tough to keep in life sometimes, particularly when you really want something. On Saturday in Waco, Texas, I was reminded of how important it is to keep perspective. Surrounded by hundreds of Iowa State fans tailgating at the Iowa State Club of Dallas/Fort Worth’s tailgate p

www.aperfectstormcyclonefootball2021.com

 

[davegilbertson]

Couple of points I wanted to run by you arm chair experts and get your thoughts:

1.) Criticism of Brock - I'm actually pretty shocked to see the criticism Brock has received after the Baylor game. While I don't think he was great, I certainly don't see his performance as a negative. His turnover was costly, but I don't think he's being utilized correctly by this staff. Which brings me to my next thought...

To me criticism of Brock (whether right or wrong) has been a slow build over the last 3 years thinking Freshman Brock was the floor, with an unimaginable ceiling that could be tapped. There was talk of Heisman sophomore year if I recall.

When results and eye test have shown that either a. Freshman year was much more best of who Brock is or b. the league and other opponents have adjusted to his style.

I agree that the staff could do more, but I don't think you can place it wholly on them. They're asking him to do something, he's doing his best, but results have not gotten markedly better year over year.

Again, hard to complain, but it does not feel like we have a game changer 4 year starter senior quarterback at times that the entirety of the coaches and fans feel confident to say, "hey, go make a play". And I think we all thought we would feel that way.

 

[Joe4Cy]

3) Halftime adjustments of the defense

I recently heard someone say that halftime adjustments are mostly a media creation. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but I agree that the ability to change gameplans at halftime is probably overblown. Personally, what I think I'm seeing is a slow ramp-up of intensity - not some wholesale change of gameplan. Our D-Line looks average to start most games, but by the end we look unstoppable. (UNI first 3 drives notwithstanding) I guess the genius of Heacock is that no one can figure out what exactly he's doing.

I concur. It seems like maybe a plan to slowly ramp up that intensity. By the third quarter, the opposing offense is already feeling it and our defense has saved their strength for the end of the game.

 

[t-noah]

Couple of points I wanted to run by you arm chair experts and get your thoughts:

1.) Criticism of Brock - I'm actually pretty shocked to see the criticism Brock has received after the Baylor game. While I don't think he was great, I certainly don't see his performance as a negative. His turnover was costly, but I don't think he's being utilized correctly by this staff. Which brings me to my next thought...

2.) Rolling Brock out of the Pocket - I'm at a loss as to why we aren't rolling him out of the pocket more. In the past I've understood the reasoning as the talent or experience downgrade from #1 to #2, in the event he gets hurt, has been sizeable. This isn't the case anymore. If you listen to the Williams and Blum Sunday podcast, they have said how the staff feels that we won't feel much of an effect on losing Brock and passing the reigns to Dekkers. Secondly, we've seen time and time again how the smaller size of Brock has led to balls tipped at the line of scrimmage and being picked off. Rolling Brock outside the pocket helps avoid these tipped balls and brings a greater threat in using Brock's legs to open up other aspects of the offense.

3.) Soft Zone Defense and Lack of First Half Adjustments - I understand and appreciate Heacock's philosophy of running the soft zone at the start of the game to gauge the opponent's offensive gameplan, however, I'm left wondering why adjustments are not coming sooner than halftime? The first three drives vs Baylor resulted in touchdowns and we were not able to force them off the field until a minute remained in the first half. It almost feels blasphemous to complain about the D with how good they've been, but for a staff that pours over every detail to refine and find ways to be better this is one that has crossed my mind.

4.) Special Teams - This has been discussed ad nauseum on here and I don't have much different to add than what has been said. After seeing this cost us games in multiple seasons, at some point you'd think Campbell has to say "Okay obviously something isn't working. This is a glaring weakness for our staff. Lets bring someone in to focus on this and this only." He has shown multiple times that he is willing to shake things up in a big way when things aren't working between the defensive change in 2017 and the S&C staff overhaul. For any hope that our next generation of talent achieves more than our current upperclassmen, the way they approach special teams going forward has to be radically changed.

I think the next couple of weeks are going to be just what this team needs. If there is any good time to change things up and try different approaches its now with KU coming to town this weekend and an extra week in between games with the bye following. Hopefully Brocktober strikes again and gets this team right back into Big 12 Championship game contention going into a tough November.

All great points.

 

[clonedude]

IMO.... everything begins and ends with the coaching staff..... as far as blame goes.

CMC and staff are pretty good at scouting and finding quite a few diamonds in the rough on the recruiting trail, and because of that and building a solid defense.... they've been able to get ISU to between 7-9 wins pretty regularly and some decent bowls. Last year's Fiesta Bowl appearance and win are now looking like they largely happened due to a down Covid year in which ISU was just able to get through it better than most teams.

But unfortunately... if anyone is wanting something more than a Liberty Bowl, Cheez It Bowl, Camping World Bowl, or the occasional Alamo Bowl.... I don't think this staff can get ISU there. I think the Alamo is basically their ceiling.... last year was a fluke season and we all know it.

CMC obviously wants to win football games like KF has been doing it in IC for decades, minus the off the field issues of course. Problem is... they aren't anywhere near as good at coaching and developing players as KF is. A lot of ISU players seem to peak in their freshman or sophomore seasons, and then plateau or often times regress.

And if you want to win the way Iowa does.... you have to play extremely fundamental, disciplined football... and ISU has been about as FAR from that as you can get. Your special teams have to be special.... not awful like they've always been under CMC. And your entire team has to play good fundamental, smart, and mistake free football.... which ISU has also been terrible at under CMC.

Your QB can't constantly stare at only one WR and then throw it to them.... or else you risk having the ball knocked up in the air at the line of scrimmage and intercepted.... which has happened multiple times to us this year and has probably cost us both losses.

You can't have a punter out there that shanks every other punt just because you're proud of what they've been through in their life. You have to get a kicker that can consistently get touchbacks on kick offs, not just when they hit the ball just right.

You can't be dumb enough as an OC to go under center for a game tying two point conversion when you hardly ever go under center at all all year.

All of this stuff falls on CMC and the staff folks. If the players aren't able to get it done, it's on you to replace them or over recruit them. CMC really ticked me off this past week when talking about the poor special teams and saying the scheme wasn't the issue.... it was on the individual players. Yes.... CMC threw the players under the bus instead of himself. These are the players you brought on board and have coached up to play smart fundamental football. If they can't do it, that's on you CMC.

CMC always seems to whine about how strapped he is by coaching at lowly ISU.... and how we have to basically play perfect football to even win a single game here. Well, if that's the case, which maybe it is.... and if the details and margins are how you have to win games at lowly ISU.... how come your teams have been so terrible in the details and margins? I seriously believe we have clearly been the most talented team on the field in all of our games so far this season..... and we barely beat UNI, got smoked by Iowa, beat a horrible UNLV team, and got beat by a worse Baylor team. That's entirely on coaching. We have the guys.

 

[cyclone1209]

I said Baylor was an important game and now @ KSU is really important. Lose and this season is a failure, win and we are working our way back to salvaging the season. That one will be coming off of a bye week, so not sure what to expect.

We beat KU this weekend, and then KSU after the bye, then we are back in the hunt for Dallas. Not a favorite but in the hunt. If this team plays with the grit I know we're capable of we should beat K-State (especially if they are down skyler thompson).

Punting has to be better, and the offense needs less 3's and more 7's. I think it's truly that simple. Because Breece will be Breece and the D is so consistent. Making it look easy on offense this weekend is the #1 thing i'm looking for. Brock has to get more confidence (tough i'm typing that for a senior, but it is what it is).

 

[83cy]

IMO.... everything begins and ends with the coaching staff..... as far as blame goes.

CMC and staff are pretty good at scouting and finding quite a few diamonds in the rough on the recruiting trail, and because of that and building a solid defense.... they've been able to get ISU to between 7-9 wins pretty regularly and some decent bowls. Last year's Fiesta Bowl appearance and win are now looking like they largely happened due to a down Covid year in which ISU was just able to get through it better than most teams.

But unfortunately... if anyone is wanting something more than a Liberty Bowl, Cheez It Bowl, Camping World Bowl, or the occasional Alamo Bowl.... I don't think this staff can get ISU there. I think the Alamo is basically their ceiling.... last year was a fluke season and we all know it.

CMC obviously wants to win football games like KF has been doing it in IC for decades, minus the off the field issues of course. Problem is... they aren't anywhere near as good at coaching and developing players as KF is. A lot of ISU players seem to peak in their freshman or sophomore seasons, and then plateau or often times regress.

And if you want to win the way Iowa does.... you have to play extremely fundamental, disciplined football... and ISU has been about as FAR from that as you can get. Your special teams have to be special.... not awful like they've always been under CMC. And your entire team has to play good fundamental, smart, and mistake free football.... which ISU has also been terrible at under CMC.

Your QB can't constantly stare at only one WR and then throw it to them.... or else you risk having the ball knocked up in the air at the line of scrimmage and intercepted.... which has happened multiple times to us this year and has probably cost us both losses.

You can't have a punter out there that shanks every other punt just because you're proud of what they've been through in their life. You have to get a kicker that can consistently get touchbacks on kick offs, not just when they hit the ball just right.

You can't be dumb enough as an OC to go under center for a game tying two point conversion when you hardly ever go under center at all all year.

All of this stuff falls on CMC and the staff folks. If the players aren't able to get it done, it's on you to replace them or over recruit them. CMC really ticked me off this past week when talking about the poor special teams and saying the scheme wasn't the issue.... it was on the individual players. Yes.... CMC threw the players under the bus instead of himself. These are the players you brought on board and have coached up to play smart fundamental football. If they can't do it, that's on you CMC.

CMC always seems to whine about how strapped he is by coaching at lowly ISU.... and how we have to basically play perfect football to even win a single game here. Well, if that's the case, which maybe it is.... and if the details and margins are how you have to win games at lowly ISU.... how come your teams have been so terrible in the details and margins? I seriously believe we have clearly been the most talented team on the field in all of our games so far this season..... and we barely beat UNI, got smoked by Iowa, beat a horrible UNLV team, and got beat by a worse Baylor team. That's entirely on coaching. We have the guys.

So much wrong with this post. Go have a beer.

 

[acoustimac]

So much wrong with this post. Go have a beer.

Actually...there is far more right with this post than there is wrong. Any coach will tell you "the buck stops here." If a team doesn't perform well then it's on the coaches to fix it. As for the list of bowls...how long ago was it that we would be happy with any bowl? We don't have the talent to year in and year out be in New Year Six games. But I do believe we have the staff that can develop players to have consistently winning teams. There may be the occasional 7-5 (how many years would that have been optimal?) and some 9 win seasons. Moving forward, the reconstituted Big 12 will offer more opportunities to win more games IF the staff can continue to recruit solid players. We just don't know what losing OU and TX will do to recruiting. As for other points made...Purdy does stare down receivers and we all know our punter has, on average, been terrible this year. Again...that's on the coaching staff to fix. As a long time ISU fan, I'm not going to be one to start calling for coaching changes and stupid things like that. That's forgetting who we have been and how lucky we are to have competent coaches leading our team.