Game Thoughts Cincin Loss

[fsanford]

How about our play calling? Anyone think that was a factor in the loss? Runs up the middle against an All Conference run stuffer, short passes when we’ve been told their safety’s & CBs might be the weakest in the Big 12? Much of the time it seemed to me that the Manning playbook was in use!

Also puzzled why CINCY seemed to focus more on the pass vs the run in the 2nd half, which had gouged us badly in the first half. Yes, we finally adjusted and performed better against the run in the 2nd half, but their selection of pass vs run seemed much different. Was that first half the worst half of FB throughout the 10 years of CMC’s time at ISU—both coaching and players?

I think they wanted to try and control the ball and see if they could limit Bearcat possessions. Thus the short passes and runs

Right or wrong there certainly was concern about the CB's on the defensive side. ( See safety help)They wanted to try and control clock

Didn't workout but believe that was the plan.

Losing to TCU 62-14 was the worst FB in the history of Matt Campbell tenure. They all seemed to throw up the white flag. Both halves sucked

OU rolled up like 30 a couple of years ago in the first on their way to a 50-20 beat down

Yesterday ranked up there with those 2. Only difference ISU played more ISU football in the 2nd half yesterday


ISU moved their safeties up closer to the line of scrimmage 2nd half this opening up passing for the Bearcats and limiting the run

 

[Kettes]

Can’t sleep walk first Q. Defense lost first half. Offense lost second half. Had chances.

I don't think it was sleep walking as much as an unfortunately poor coaching decision to cheat the LBs towards the edge to help out the corners; leaving the center wide open for the run. Hats off to Cincy for seeing ahead of time that we would probably do this. It sure looked like it was in their game plan.

The corners are fine, go back to our normal 3-3-5, like we did for Q2 through Q4. Eat some buffalo, next week.

 

[AlaCyclone]

I think they wanted to try and control the ball and see if they could limit Bearcat possessions. Thus the short passes and runs

That was a bad game plan. ISU is best with this group when they come out slinging the ball.

 

[NoCreativity]

We are so much better than we used to be, but we aren’t as close to a CFP team as many think.

This is false, we were every bit as good as teams like Indiana, SMU, and Boise St last year. The problem is we ran into an NFL running back with FCS level linebackers.

We aren't that far off.

 

[madguy30]

This is false, we were every bit as good as teams like Indiana, SMU, and Boise St last year. The problem is we ran into an NFL running back with FCS level linebackers.

We aren't that far off.

ASU was better about everywhere on the field and was more built for the playoffs.

ISU was (and still is) good but the gaps were pretty evident especially up front and imo it's weird that people just saw it as just a Skatteboo thing.

 

[rosshm16]

Skattebo last year in the B12CG looked like he had some sort of anti-Cyclone force field, never seen so many guys hit a guy and just bounce/slide right off.

 

[NoCreativity]

ASU was better about everywhere on the field and was more built for the playoffs.

ISU was (and still is) good but the gaps were pretty evident especially up front and imo it's weird that people just saw it as just a Skatteboo thing.

So you're basically saying we might be the 2nd best team in the Big 12 any given year but we'll still have huge talent gaps between us and the best Big 12 team?

I dont agree, unless Tech just buys titles now I don't think anyone will ever dominate this league like Oklahoma used to. You also have to factor in coaching, which I think ISU has an advantage over most other conferences teams.

 

[madguy30]

So you're basically saying we might be the 2nd best team in the Big 12 any given year but we'll still have huge talent gaps between us and the best Big 12 team?

I dont agree, unless Tech just buys titles now I don't think anyone will ever dominate this league like Oklahoma used to. You also have to factor in coaching, which I think ISU has an advantage over most other conferences teams.

Every year? Not sure.

But last year (which is not this year) it was pretty evident that there was a gap in talent between ISU and ASU.

I'd say Tech so far, maybe TCU look like teams that have the team speed and skills etc to compete in a Top 8ish situation.

 

[CloneAlta]

How about our play calling? Anyone think that was a factor in the loss? Runs up the middle against an All Conference run stuffer, short passes when we’ve been told their safety’s & CBs might be the weakest in the Big 12? Much of the time it seemed to me that the Manning playbook was in use!

Also puzzled why CINCY seemed to focus more on the pass vs the run in the 2nd half, which had gouged us badly in the first half. Yes, we finally adjusted and performed better against the run in the 2nd half, but their selection of pass vs run seemed much different. Was that first half the worst half of FB throughout the 10 years of CMC’s time at ISU—both coaching and players?

 

[CyHans]

I think the comment the OP made about getting money to “buy” some defense is spot on. ASU and Indiana bought their teams last year and TTU did it this year. We desperately need speed. I’m not sure where the money comes from but that seems to be the answer in today’s college football world.

 

[Cyched]

 

[1SEIACLONE]

So who are the best teams in the league after 2 or 3 games depending on the team.
I would say in the top ranking are TT, BYU and ASU.
2nd group. Cincy, ISU, Baylor, BYU
3rd group. Kansas, Utah and Arizona
4th group. everyone else.

It now comes down to schedule and not only who you play but who you don't. If you look at the first two groups, many of the teams are going to play at least two of the other teams from those two groups. It's going to be fun to see it play out, still think we will end up 9-3.

Flush the Cincy game and move on to Colorado.

 

[bozclone]

I don't think it was sleep walking as much as an unfortunately poor coaching decision to cheat the LBs towards the edge to help out the corners; leaving the center wide open for the run. Hats off to Cincy for seeing ahead of time that we would probably do this. It sure looked like it was in their game plan.

The corners are fine, go back to our normal 3-3-5, like we did for Q2 through Q4. Eat some buffalo, next week.

Looked to me that when UC went 3 or 4 wide we moved Bacon or Lovett to a standup rush end position trying to put more pressure on the QB. Giving us a 4-2 set with one safety behind the linebackers. UC countered by running the ball between the tackles and gashed us the entire first half. Our linebackers didn’t fill holes and couldn’t tackle when they did. Our safety over ran some plays too. We were not physical at all.

 

[Spanky]

Tough with all the injuries, we're due for a break.

 

[bozclone]

That was a bad game plan. ISU is best with this group when they come out slinging the ball.

Once we got behind early, UC was playing two safeties deep and forcing us to throw short.

 

[fsanford]

That was a bad game plan. ISU is best with this group when they come out slinging the ball.

Hind sight it was. But ISU coaching DNA does not like shootouts, and it had proven to be very successful for them

Its hard to change a cultural approach at the drop of a hat.

How long did it take them to address special teams? It's a bunch that is pretty set in their ways

 

[CycloneVet]

We need better speed from the linebackers. Especially if we are trying to cheat a little to help corners.

 

[ClonerJams]

We need better speed from the linebackers. Especially if we are trying to cheat a little to help corners.

Is Lovett hurt? Pretty sure he's our fastest linebacker but I haven't heard his name called for a while.

 

[AlaCyclone]

Hind sight it was. But ISU coaching DNA does not like shootouts, and it had proven to be very successful for them

Its hard to change a cultural approach at the drop of a hat.

How long did it take them to address special teams? It's a bunch that is pretty set in their ways

Understand and appreciate!

 

[madguy30]

We need better speed from the linebackers. Especially if we are trying to cheat a little to help corners.

I was at the AZ game and it was pretty evident and AZ really struggled to take advantage of it.