I think the chances of NDSU beating ISU are greater; however, they are both still slim chances.
No love from Mark May
- Thread starter arganbright2
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I think the chances of NDSU beating ISU are greater; however, they are both still slim chances.
I dont think Mark May does much for research. NDSU has beaten a couple D-1 schools in the past couple years, but NDSU has as many question marks (if not more) coming into this season as ISU does. The only reason Im posting my opinion is because I follow SDSU and NDSU closely.
First of all, during the offseason NDSU hired a new offensive coordinator (Brent Vigen) and defensive coordinator (Mike Breske) so the offense and defense has to learn new systems just like ISU is doing.
Second off, NDSU lost a ton of seniors that were the backbone of NDSU for the last 4 years., the top ones being Ramon Humber (LB), Mike Maresh (LB) , Tyler Roehl (RB), and Kole Heckendorf (WR). Heckendorf is only the greatest WR to ever play at NDSU. Ramon Humber (In NFL now) and Mike Maresh were both good for 100 tackles/yr. Tyler Roehl (RB/FB) had two 1000 yard seasons in a row (he is the one who ran for over 200 against the gophers). You combine all of those losses with about 6 or so current players being kicked off the team for academics/legal infractions, and you lose alot of experience.
I think if Mark May actually was good at his job he would realize that NDSU has bigger holes to fill than ISU does over this offseason. But then again, Mark May is a complete idiot.
First of all, during the offseason NDSU hired a new offensive coordinator (Brent Vigen) and defensive coordinator (Mike Breske) so the offense and defense has to learn new systems just like ISU is doing.
Second off, NDSU lost a ton of seniors that were the backbone of NDSU for the last 4 years., the top ones being Ramon Humber (LB), Mike Maresh (LB) , Tyler Roehl (RB), and Kole Heckendorf (WR). Heckendorf is only the greatest WR to ever play at NDSU. Ramon Humber (In NFL now) and Mike Maresh were both good for 100 tackles/yr. Tyler Roehl (RB/FB) had two 1000 yard seasons in a row (he is the one who ran for over 200 against the gophers). You combine all of those losses with about 6 or so current players being kicked off the team for academics/legal infractions, and you lose alot of experience.
I think if Mark May actually was good at his job he would realize that NDSU has bigger holes to fill than ISU does over this offseason. But then again, Mark May is a complete idiot.
Hey! Just like Iowa State!
j/k
Seriously though, I don't really see any way NDSU wins this. MAYBE if like, 19 of your 22 starters all have the 'rhea on gameday morning or something and can't play. And even then it's still a pretty big maybe.
From what I have heard, NDSU could be a challenge for ISU: they beat Minn. 2 years ago, and should not be overlooked. I know a NDSU grad that is (was) looking forward to this game as a good chance for them. I say was becuase that have 4(?) of their better players suspended for the game due to team violations.
With that in mind, it will be ISU's first game under the new coaching regime and, if you consider the debacle against Kent State & UNI 2 years ago, could prove to be more intersting than it should be.
With that in mind, it will be ISU's first game under the new coaching regime and, if you consider the debacle against Kent State & UNI 2 years ago, could prove to be more intersting than it should be.
Kent State and UNI > NDSU
Talking to a couple UNI grads (the ones that are not Hawk fans), they think they have a chance with Iowa as well.
Talking to a couple UNI grads (the ones that are not Hawk fans), they think they have a chance with Iowa as well.
You might be right, but NDSU only lost by 10 to UNI and it was, at least statiscally, a pretty even game:
First downs: 12 - 13
Rushing; 99 - 102
Passing: 128 - 156
The only real difference was 4 turnovers by NDSU and none by UNI. Don't know if you can say that UNI > NDSU.
With all due respect, what has our football program done to garner any respect over the last few years? I can't believe anyone would be shocked by what Mark May predicted. Is it a long shot? Yes, but outrageous? No.
The offensive coord. was a promotion - Vigen has been there 12 years; probably not a big change for the players.
The deffensive coord. comes from Wyoming - we could have an advantage in this area. Hopefully the offense is clicking...
I do not mean to be a smart***, but one way I could say UNI > NDSU is scoreboard. I mean, if you want to throw out the scoreboard, ISU should have a much easier time with NDSU than Iowa will with UNI, which I do not think will be the case.
ISU/Iowa 2008 stats:
First downs: ISU 18 Iowa 11
Rushing: 73 118
Passing: 252 122
Total: 325 240
TOP: 32 28
Sacks: 1 1
3rd down: 4-15 4-12
FG: 1-4 1-2
Red Zone: 0-3 2-3
I would love to hear their argument.....if UNI is as good as they were last year, they might keep it close for a couple of quarters, then Iowa will open it up for a 25+ point win. I'd say that last years UNI team was one of the best in recent memory (and I have no clue who all graduated), and they got hammered by an FBS team on their schedule last year. I'd say BYU and Iowa were pretty close to even teams last year (though Iowa's D was probably quite a bit better than BYU's, and perhaps BYU's offense was a little more explosive than Iowa's), and BYU pasted the panthers 41-17...I have a hard time believing UNI's 09 team will be better than 08's.
As for NDSU, are they a run first team or a pass first team? The only way I could see the upset is if they are a very good run first team that exploits ISU's defensive front seven. If they can run successfully and keep ISU's offense off the field they will have a chance. If they are a pass first team, they have pretty much no shot, IMO.
That is why he loves Ferentz so much. He sees a mirror image of himself in Kirk. :biglaugh:
Lol, come on. I don't think N Dakota St. will beat Iowa St, but there is a very slim chance UNI even keeps it within 2 TDs of Iowa.
NDSU doesn't win this game. Not even close. I expect a bigger thrashing of NDSU than we gave SDSU last season. They lose/lost a good amount of key players, whereas ISU has retained and gained the important positions. I'm as worried about this game as drowning in the middle of the desert.
Exactly why there is a slim chance NDSU even keeps it within 2 TD's of ISU. Put another way, the chances are virtually the same.
