MONDAY MUSINGS: Iowa State's road looking more and more optimistic

[Connor_Ferguson]

MONDAY MUSINGS: There were bad losses and some close scares in the Big 12 this week, but it's becoming harder and harder to not be optimistic about the 10 games Iowa State will play the rest of the season.

MONDAY MUSINGS: Iowa State's path looking more and more optimistic

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) passes the ball around Iowa Hawkeyes's defensive back Jay Higgins (34) during the second quarter in the Cy-Hawk series at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Triobune / USA TODAY NETWORK Bring o

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[VeloClone]

When two teams have the same mascot (wildcats), don't reference them by that in the story. We can figure it out, but your readers shouldn't have to work that hard.

 

[clone52]

When two teams have the same mascot (wildcats), don't reference them by that in the story. We can figure it out, but your readers shouldn't have to work that hard.

He only used Wildcats in the same sentence that the subject was Arizona.

 

[Dandy]

"It’s Matt Campbell, so when it comes to actually learning about injuries, we might not learn much in Saturday’s non-conference finale. But my eyes will be on offensive linemen Jalen Travis and Deylin Hasert as well as linebackers Will McLaughlin and Cael Brezina."

McLaughlin might not play all year. He's out minimum six weeks from the Thursday before the North Dakota game.

 

[nrg4isu]

When two teams have the same mascot (wildcats), don't reference them by that in the story. We can figure it out, but your readers shouldn't have to work that hard.

 

[VeloClone]

He only used Wildcats in the same sentence that the subject was Arizona.

"After taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Wildcats didn’t score again." In that sentence the subject is Wildcats. Arizona is not mentioned. The previous sentence mentions Arizona but ends with Manhattan which his audience will connect with KSU. It is also noteworthy that his audience has had one Wildcats team in their conference generally for their entire lives. Their minds are likely going to KSU if there is any ambiguity.

It's not a big deal, certainly not as bad as the announcers in that game often referring to "Wildcats" with ambiguous context.

I'm not going to mention this again as it isn't a big deal, but just something to look out for. It is a fine column by Connor.

 

[CycloneErik]

MONDAY MUSINGS: There were bad losses and some close scares in the Big 12 this week, but it's becoming harder and harder to not be optimistic about the 10 games Iowa State will play the rest of the season.

MONDAY MUSINGS: Iowa State's path looking more and more optimistic

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) passes the ball around Iowa Hawkeyes's defensive back Jay Higgins (34) during the second quarter in the Cy-Hawk series at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Triobune / USA TODAY NETWORK Bring o

cyclonefanatic.com

10 games? I think you spelled 14 wrong, and also, it's all over.

 

[cydnote]

10 games? I think you spelled 14 wrong, and also, it's all over.

We moved from AP 21 to AP 20 this past week without hitting the field. If we opt out of our next 10 games we could move into top 10 territory. No more injuries and several that are could be healed by then. I would think a top 10 team in the Big 12 will make the playoffs. Baring further injuries we could still work on those "margins" in practice and be rather formidable by then .
I don't mean to make light of of Conner's article, and optimism is better than the alternative, but surviving in Iowa City is the only thing we didn't anticipate as a fan base--just too early to draw many conclusions yet. Temper the excitement and if we trip along the way keep in mind that even after we still could end up a one loss team. This new Big 12 adds a lot of excitement to the football season for me.

 

[CascadeClone]

Yeah, let's pump the brakes a little. This team is going to trip up a few times, there's a bunch of toss up games. So let's not go insane when it happens.

 

[CycloneErik]

Yeah, let's pump the brakes a little. This team is going to trip up a few times, there's a bunch of toss up games. So let's not go insane when it happens.

Pass.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

We are fans, it's ok to hype things up and be excited. It's not our job to temper expectations or take it one game at a time, that's for the players to do.

 

[Aclone]

I’d say it was looking more and more possible, more winnable, not“optimistic”.

Especially the way some folks use the rainbow around here. We need a poo for pessimism to balance.

 

[intrepid27]

While I think it is a tremendous long shot that we make the playoffs, if we can remain ranked the rest of the season it would certainly help our case.

 

[Clonedogg]

I thought Cael Brezina was good to go after week 2?

I am hopeful on seeing the 2 O-line members.

 

[Clonedogg]

I thought Cael Brezina was good to go after week 2?

I am hopeful on seeing the 2 O-line members.

Maybe he meant Jack Sadowsky, who was hurt during the game?

 

[Aclone]

I don't mean to make light of of Conner's article, and optimism is better than the alternative, but surviving in Iowa City is the only thing we didn't anticipate as a fan base--

Pretty sure that we as a fan base didn’t anticipate certain of our opponents we expected to be a serious challenge looking like they suck inste—er, I mean, looking much more beatable.

 

[StLouisClone]

ISU is one of 4 ranked teams in the Big 12. There are at least 6-8 teams that have a reasonable chance to win the conference championship. Utah has a slight edge. Until we see more conference matchups, it's really hard to rank everyone's chances. I gave it a shot here:

- Utah 20%
- KSU 15%
- OSU 10%
- ISU 10%
- UCF 10%
- ARIZ. 5%
- ASU 5%
- BYU 5%
- Others 20%

 

[Aclone]

ISU is one of 4 ranked teams in the Big 12. There are at least 6-8 teams that have a reasonable chance to win the conference championship. Utah has a slight edge. Until we see more conference matchups, it's really hard to rank everyone's chances. I gave it a shot here:

- Utah 20%
- KSU 15%
- OSU 10%
- ISU 10%
- UCF 10%
- ARIZ. 5%
- ASU 5%
- BYU 5%
- Others 20%

Why do I feel like you typed this without having seen these teams play? Most or some of them, anyway.

 

[clone52]

"After taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Wildcats didn’t score again." In that sentence the subject is Wildcats. Arizona is not mentioned. The previous sentence mentions Arizona but ends with Manhattan which his audience will connect with KSU. It is also noteworthy that his audience has had one Wildcats team in their conference generally for their entire lives. Their minds are likely going to KSU if there is any ambiguity.

It's not a big deal, certainly not as bad as the announcers in that game often referring to "Wildcats" with ambiguous context.

I'm not going to mention this again as it isn't a big deal, but just something to look out for. It is a fine column by Connor.

You are right. I missed it.

 

[exCYtable]

Yeah, let's pump the brakes a little. This team is going to trip up a few times, there's a bunch of toss up games. So let's not go insane when it happens.

2024-25 is the Year of the Cyclones. A college football playoff, and men's and women's national titles in basketball. We will be insufferable and the world is just going to have to deal with it.