I'm sorry to say it, but there needs to be some questions on Herman as OC

[Cyclonestate78]

I think it's fair to assume that Rhoads is asking Herman some questions. The offense has some personnel issues, but there is enough talent to be better than we are.

That being said, in no way is it time to give up on Herman. He is learning along with everyone else.

We definitely have enough talent on offense to be successful moving the football with one major issue. QB. In Herman's offensive system and pretty much any other variation of the spread offense it is all about QB play. If we had OU's players at RB and WR would this offense be putting up better numbers? I honestly don't think that it would be. QB play makes the offense go. Without it a spread offense is pretty much worthless. Right now defenses do not fear the ISU passing game at all. Thus the whole aspect of spreading the field to open up holes in the defense becomes pointless. You can pretty much sum up ISU's offensive struggles like this....

You can have a Ferrari with a ton of horsepower under the hood but if you have a bad spark plug that won't fire all of the time that engine is going to misfire. That engine just isn't going to run right until you insert a new spark plug that fires on a consistent basis. The QB position is the bad spark plug and until it gets replaced with a higher quality spark plug we can expect more of the same sluggish performance.

 

[tazclone]

We definitely have enough talent on offense to be successful moving the football with one major issue. QB. In Herman's offensive system and pretty much any other variation of the spread offense it is all about QB play.If we had OU's players at RB and WR would this offense be putting up better numbers? I honestly don't think that it would be. QB play makes the offense go. Without it a spread offense is pretty much worthless. Right now defenses do not fear the ISU passing game at all. Thus the whole aspect of spreading the field to open up holes in the defense becomes pointless. You can pretty much sum up ISU's offensive struggles like this....

You can have a Ferrari with a ton of horsepower under the hood but if you have a bad spark plug that won't fire all of he time that engine is going to misfire. That engine just isn't going to run right until you insert a new spark plug that fires on a consistent basis. The QB position is the bad spark plug and until it gets replaced with a higher quality spark plug we can expect more of the same sluggish performance.

Problem is we have an 8 cylinder engine and 8 spark plugs that are misfiring. I don't know how anyone can look at this offense and say the only issue is at QB. We have many more issues and because of that, changing one player out will not make the offense explode. There isn't one offense unit that has produced consistently. In your Ferrari scenario, there are a lot of times that we have 2,3,4 spark plugs not firing so even when one does, it doesn't show.

 

[FootballinTexas]

The last recruiting class is pretty inidcative of every recruiting class ISU has ever had.
2009- 19 kids from those states and one from PA and one from WI
2008- 16 kids from those states
2007- 15

Recruiting Tx, FL and Kansas JUCOs is nothign differnt. The only thing CPR is doing differnt is hitting CA more

Not sure where you got your data but per rivals.com, this is the total that enrolled from these states:
2009 - 11
2008 - 13
2007 - 11
2006 - 11

Here's OU (TX only)

2011 commits: 17 commits, 12 from TX, 2 from OK ( they don't play competitive football in OK)
2010 enrolled: 28 enrolled, 18 from Texas, 3 from OK
2009 enrolled: 22 enrolled, 11 from Texas, 5 from OK
2008 enrolled: 21 enrolled, 12 from Texas, 2 from OK

What I trying to say is we have to get more of this type of recruiting. We need more heavy hitters and skill guys that compete at a high level week after week against some of the top players in the country! OU is #1 in the polls! They have been recruiting for years the type of players that ISU is just now recruiting. We should never see 6 or 7 starters on the field from the state of Iowa and expect to win in the Big 12!! We have to beat Texas, OU, OSU with the same type of players they have....ones that know how to compete at a high level!!!

 

[jdoggivjc]

We definitely have enough talent on offense to be successful moving the football with one major issue. QB. In Herman's offensive system and pretty much any other variation of the spread offense it is all about QB play. If we had OU's players at RB and WR would this offense be putting up better numbers? I honestly don't think that it would be. QB play makes the offense go. Without it a spread offense is pretty much worthless. Right now defenses do not fear the ISU passing game at all. Thus the whole aspect of spreading the field to open up holes in the defense becomes pointless. You can pretty much sum up ISU's offensive struggles like this....

You can have a Ferrari with a ton of horsepower under the hood but if you have a bad spark plug that won't fire all of the time that engine is going to misfire. That engine just isn't going to run right until you insert a new spark plug that fires on a consistent basis. The QB position is the bad spark plug and until it gets replaced with a higher quality spark plug we can expect more of the same sluggish performance.

I would also say, conversely, that if you had Landry Jones playing QB for us this offense wouldn't be much better, either - not when our receivers cannot create separation from the defense, don't get open, and drop catchable passes, even if they are slightly misthrown. For all we know, perhaps a part of the reason why Arnaud's passes look so bad is because our receivers are running poor or even flat out wrong routes and/or are late at getting to to locations on precision timing routes - but the QB gets blamed because the throw looks that bad when perhaps he threw it where he was supposed to throw it.

Look, I'm not arguing that Arnaud is not a problem - he clearly is. But if Arnaud is a bad spark plug, then our WR corps is a cracked engine block - and you go NOWHERE with that.

 

[tazclone]

Not sure where you got your data but per rivals.com, this is the total that enrolled from these states:
2009 - 11
2008 - 13
2007 - 11
2006 - 11

Here's OU (TX only)

2011 commits: 17 commits, 12 from TX, 2 from OK ( they don't play competitive football in OK)
2010 enrolled: 28 enrolled, 18 from Texas, 3 from OK
2009 enrolled: 22 enrolled, 11 from Texas, 5 from OK
2008 enrolled: 21 enrolled, 12 from Texas, 2 from OK

What I trying to say is we have to get more of this type of recruiting. We need more heavy hitters and skill guys that compete at a high level week after week against some of the top players in the country! OU is #1 in the polls! They have been recruiting for years the type of players that ISU is just now recruiting. We should never see 6 or 7 starters on the field from the state of Iowa and expect to win in the Big 12!! We have to beat Texas, OU, OSU with the same type of players they have....ones that know how to compete at a high level!!!

Enrolled is different than committed and even offered. Take Beau Blankenship. One of Oklahoma's top RBs in the largest schools. He will no longer be enrolled at ISU. Doesn't mean he wasn't recruited to ISU. BTW- He was beaten out by a walk on from Iowa.

I get my numbers from Rivals and am looking at guys that committed to ISU. Guys we recruited and guys that committed to ISU. The problem isn't recruiting those guys, it is getting them here and keeping them here. We have been recruiting Texas/Oklahoma/Florida for more than 15 years. We get 16 plus of our recruits from Texas/Florida/California/OK every year. The only difference CPR has made is he has focused more on California. Look at our offer list if you want to see where we focus recruiting. ( http://iowastate.rivals.com/offerlist.asp )The offer list tells you where we focus and how often we lose those battles. If you think CPR is focusing on Texas and Florida any more than previous staffs, then you haven't followed recruiting very closely.

BTW- If we could recruits kids like OU and TX to ISU, we wouldn't be talking about Herman. The fact is we won't out recruit Texas and Oklahoma. It isn't gogin to happen

 

[Tornado man]

BTW- Jesse Smith is one of my all time favorite players. Too short, too slow, etc. Even DMac didn't give him a scholly. I love the guy. He is representative as to why DMac failed.

What convoluted logic. Where would we have been last year without Smith? He could have gone to various lower-level schools, but Mac convinced him to walk on here. And you say it's an example of why Mac failed? I'm lost.

 

[2forISU]

Not sure where you got your data but per rivals.com, this is the total that enrolled from these states:
2009 - 11
2008 - 13
2007 - 11
2006 - 11

Here's OU (TX only)

2011 commits: 17 commits, 12 from TX, 2 from OK ( they don't play competitive football in OK)
2010 enrolled: 28 enrolled, 18 from Texas, 3 from OK
2009 enrolled: 22 enrolled, 11 from Texas, 5 from OK
2008 enrolled: 21 enrolled, 12 from Texas, 2 from OK

What I trying to say is we have to get more of this type of recruiting. We need more heavy hitters and skill guys that compete at a high level week after week against some of the top players in the country! OU is #1 in the polls! They have been recruiting for years the type of players that ISU is just now recruiting. We should never see 6 or 7 starters on the field from the state of Iowa and expect to win in the Big 12!! We have to beat Texas, OU, OSU with the same type of players they have....ones that know how to compete at a high level!!!

ISU would love to get all their recruits from Texas. The problem is how do we get them to come to ISU...

 

[jdoggivjc]

What convoluted logic. Where would we have been last year without Smith? He could have gone to various lower-level schools, but Mac convinced him to walk on here. And you say it's an example of why Mac failed? I'm lost.

Great. You came up with Jesse Smith. Can you come up with anybody else? If not, then THAT'S why Mac failed. We should have 10-20 KEY graduating Mac seniors between last year and this. We don't. Instead, we have a ragtag lineup filled with Mac recruits that nobody really thinks highly of Chizik recruits that may or may not pan out, and CPR recruits that it's way too early to tell.

 

[ISUFan22]

It's like sending an electrician into a home to do a plumbers job. He may be able to do some of it, but without the right tools - he won't get it completely done right.

Herman does not have the right set of tools at ISU to run his offense at this time. Our quarterback is not designed for the spread and has never run it before. I think AA could run the spread well but it's just a bit late to learn that. Our line is not quick and can't consistently open running/passing lanes. Our receivers are not fast/quick and do not run great routes...also not physical enough to consistently get off the line in press coverage.

In addition, you don't learn this offense overnight. It's tricky and very much about reads/timing. We're overmatched in talents and not experts in the offense we run. Spells for a rough time on the field.

 

[tazclone]

What convoluted logic. Where would we have been last year without Smith? He could have gone to various lower-level schools, but Mac convinced him to walk on here. And you say it's an example of why Mac failed? I'm lost.

DMac couldn't out recruit a walk on and he didn't recruit Smith. Smith was worthy of a scholly from day one. Instead schollies went to guys that never made it here or never played. It is the guys that never played and never pmade it here that killed DMac.

BTW_ Di dyou notice Lattimer and Maggit are now starters beating out two DMac guys?

ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!

I answer all of yours but you fail to answer my question. Probably because you have no answer. WHY DO YOU CHOOSE ONLY TO USE THE NEBRASKA GAME AS AN INDICATOR? We have 6 common opponents but you only use Nebraska as an indicator.

 

[weR138]

DMac couldn't out recruit a walk on and he didn't recruit Smith. Smith was worthy of a scholly from day one. Instead schollies went to guys that never made it here or never played. It is the guys that never played and never pmade it here that killed DMac.

BTW_ Di dyou notice Lattimer and Maggit are now starters beating out two DMac guys?

ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!

I answer all of yours but you fail to answer my question. Probably because you have no answer. WHY DO YOU CHOOSE ONLY TO USE THE NEBRASKA GAME AS AN INDICATOR? We have 6 common opponents but you only use Nebraska as an indicator.

**** man, stop yelling.

 

[tazclone]

Great. You came up with Jesse Smith. Can you come up with anybody else? If not, then THAT'S why Mac failed. We should have 10-20 KEY graduating Mac seniors between last year and this. We don't. Instead, we have a ragtag lineup filled with Mac recruits that nobody really thinks highly of Chizik recruits that may or may not pan out, and CPR recruits that it's way too early to tell.

Tornado man will not answer because he can't. He will throw out Frere and Alburtis even though Alburtis was beaten out and split snaps with other guys and Reump is outperforming Frere. Once you shoot down one of his illogical measures, he moves onto another illogical measure. I have asked him all day why he only uses the Nebraska game as an indicator and he won't respond. I am guessing it is because it is the one and only game that can make his point. Even then he fails to look at the variables involved. He wants to ignore the fact that 7 new starters on the defensive front did just as well against iowa and KSU as his DMAc talented SRs. He ignores that the 7 new starters are performing just as well and have put up better numbers. He also runs away when you ask him two name 2 SR's that were impact players. Stephens and Smith...Great. I can name more than that form last years team that weren't DMac guys.

 

[tazclone]

**** man, stop yelling.

NONot until Tornadoman answers the question...which he won't

 

[jdoggivjc]

Tornado man will not answer because he can't. He will throw out Frere and Alburtis even though Alburtis was beaten out and split snaps with other guys and Reump is outperforming Frere. Once you shoot down one of his illogical measures, he moves onto another illogical measure. I have asked him all day why he only uses the Nebraska game as an indicator and he won't respond. I am guessing it is because it is the one and only game that can make his point. Even then he fails to look at the variables involved. He wants to ignore the fact that 7 new starters on the defensive front did just as well against iowa and KSU as his DMAc talented SRs. He ignores that the 7 new starters are performing just as well and have put up better numbers. He also runs away when you ask him two name 2 SR's that were impact players. Stephens and Smith...Great. I can name more than that form last years team that weren't DMac guys.

Actually, I'm just curious as to why TM hasn't brought up Georgia Tech football and how Paul Johnson is God since they got shelled by Iowa in the Orange Bowl and have been less than impressive this year...

 

[tazclone]

Actually, I'm just curious as to why TM hasn't brought up Georgia Tech football and how Paul Johnson is God since they got shelled by Iowa in the Orange Bowl and have been less than impressive this year...

Because TM runs away when confronted with facts that destroy his illogical claims

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Problem is we have an 8 cylinder engine and 8 spark plugs that are misfiring. I don't know how anyone can look at this offense and say the only issue is at QB. We have many more issues and because of that, changing one player out will not make the offense explode. There isn't one offense unit that has produced consistently. In your Ferrari scenario, there are a lot of times that we have 2,3,4 spark plugs not firing so even when one does, it doesn't show.

I am not saying that QB play is the only issue but it is the biggest issue by far. There are plenty of times when our QB is given ample time to sit back in the pocket, go through the progressions, and throw the football on time and on target. THEY JUST AREN'T DOING IT. It really is that simple. Do you watch other college football games? There are plenty of teams that have inferior talent at WR and on the OL then what ISU has and the one thing that keeps their offense moving the chains is they have a QB with some talent that can throw the football. Does anybody think Indiana is an offensive juggernaut? Hell no. Do they have 5 star WR's or RB's? No. Is their offensive line full of studs? No. Yet their offense has been solid and they put up a ton of points on Michigan because they have a QB that can throw the football. Florida has been struggling badly with 5 star talent all over the field on offense. Why? Because their QB can't throw the football. It is as simple as that.

Florida's QB stinks throwing the football and Indiana's QB excels at throwing the football. All you have to do is look at the stats and compare their passer ratings. It is self explanitory.

 

[Wesley]

It's fair to be concerned when we score zero points at OU but they are the #1 team in the nation. It is also fair to be concerned about our total/passing/rushing offensive rank but we have the toughest schedule in the nation.

I guess I have a glass half full attitude about our offense; in Herman's second year his offense scored more points in a game (which we were projected to lose) than any Cyclone team ever has in the Big 12.

Surely we can give Herman two more years to prove he can do it in the Big 12.

For heaven's sake we did not even make it to the red zone and tried two long fieldgoals. A Dakota team would have had more offense against an Okie. The offense is pathetic at this point. 307 yards a game.

 

[tazclone]

I am not saying that QB play is the only issue but it is the biggest issue by far. There are plenty of times when our QB is given ample time to sit back in the pocket, go through the progressions, and throw the football on time and on target. THEY JUST AREN'T DOING IT. It really is that simple. Do you watch other college football games? There are plenty of teams that have inferior talent at WR and on the OL then what ISU has and the one thing that keeps their offense moving the chains is they have a QB with some talent that can throw the football. Does anybody think Indiana is an offensive juggernaut? Hell no. Do they have 5 star WR's or RB's? No. Is their offensive line full of studs? No. Yet their offense has been solid and they put up a ton of points on Michigan because they have a QB that can throw the football. Florida has been struggling badly with 5 star talent all over the field on offense. Why? Because their QB can't throw the football. It is as simple as that.

Florida's QB stinks throwing the football and Indiana's QB excels at throwing the football. All you have to do is look at the stats and compare their passer ratings. It is self explanitory.

Yes, I do watch other football games. I see QBs miss WRs all the time. I also see WRs make plays like ours did against TT. Seriously think about this for a minute. If Franklin and Lenz don't make those TD catches and we were forced into FGs then people would be ******** about Arnaud and how he missed great opportunities. Difference is Franklin and Lenz made tough catches. Catches that D1 WRs make every game. People think AA played great but in reality he played the same game he has played all year. 2-3 really bad passes, another 2-3 that were okay and the rest on target. Difference was the okay ones, the WRs made plays.

Watch the Auburn/Arkansas game and you will see what I am talking about. I just watched it last night and saw three TD catches where the WR adjusted to the ball and made plays. Wilson comes in and doesn't miss a beat. He throws a bad swing pass that the WR adjusts to and makes a 9 yard gain. He throws a bad deep pass that the receiver adjust to and scores a TD. Happens every game

I am not saying Arnaud isn't part of the problem but he is neither the biggest issue nor the least issue. Everyone on the offense needs to be more consistent

 

[FootballinTexas]

Enrolled is different than committed and even offered. Take Beau Blankenship. One of Oklahoma's top RBs in the largest schools. He will no longer be enrolled at ISU. Doesn't mean he wasn't recruited to ISU. BTW- He was beaten out by a walk on from Iowa.

I get my numbers from Rivals and am looking at guys that committed to ISU. Guys we recruited and guys that committed to ISU. The problem isn't recruiting those guys, it is getting them here and keeping them here. We have been recruiting Texas/Oklahoma/Florida for more than 15 years. We get 16 plus of our recruits from Texas/Florida/California/OK every year. The only difference CPR has made is he has focused more on California. Look at our offer list if you want to see where we focus recruiting. ( http://iowastate.rivals.com/offerlist.asp )The offer list tells you where we focus and how often we lose those battles. If you think CPR is focusing on Texas and Florida any more than previous staffs, then you haven't followed recruiting very closely.

BTW- If we could recruits kids like OU and TX to ISU, we wouldn't be talking about Herman. The fact is we won't out recruit Texas and Oklahoma. It isn't gogin to happen

You are right, enrolled is different from committed. A kid can commit and not enroll (Colquin Hubert 2010 class). I'm looking at the kids that committed then enrolled. Those are the players on our football team right now!! Not the kids that committed but either went somewhere else or did not qualify to enroll for classes. Still, the issue is we have to have more competetive players and the place to get them is TX, FL, CA. Say what you want but you proved my point. OU doesn't recruit from OK because their top RB's get beat out by walk-ons from Iowa. They recruit from Texas where the kids compete at a very high level every Friday night.

ISU does not have to out-recruit Texas and OU. That will never happen because the mind-set is not the same. There are hundreds of great football players that come from Texas. So, even in a good year, Texas and OU can only sign 25 each. Where does the rest of those great players go?? To schools like ISU, Kansas, KSU, MO, Neb, TT if they recruit them well.

Get a grip, did you see that 19 of the top 100 players in the country are from FL, 14 from TX, 10 form CA.....that would be 43 of the top 100 (43% from 3 states, the other 57% from 46 states), 1 from Iowa, 0 from OK. If ISU is going to compete, they have to "recruit and sign" kids that come from competitive markets for football!!! I here Iowa is a great place to live.

I'm rooting for CPR and his staff!! They will get the job done because they are doing the right things!! Also, I am sure that they do not care what any of us thinks.

 

[Tornado man]

Actually, I'm just curious as to why TM hasn't brought up Georgia Tech football and how Paul Johnson is God since they got shelled by Iowa in the Orange Bowl and have been less than impressive this year...

This is priceless. You say it's "too early to tell" about CPR until his recruits hit the field. Perfectly reasonable.
Yet Paul Johnson takes leftover players, who he did not recruit, who originally came to GT to play a pro-style offense, and goes to the Orange Bowl in his second year. And you are not impressed?
Help me understand this contradiction...