*** Official #14 IOWA STATE vs Arkansas State Game(Day) Thread ***

[cyclones500]

There’s no way you can have a yet 0-2 team above a 4-0 team. I don’t care that they played better teams than us, you still have to win. They should still probably be ranked but somewhere like 23.

Fwiw, CBS Sports projects ND at #24 (with ISU #12), so I imagine you're in the vicinity.

ND's "advantage" is having such a high rank in preseason, and the losses are "good" and small point margin. I don't have a major problem with that, or at least don't think it's surprising the vote would go that way.

 

[isucy86]

Even when your 3+ touchdown favorites and supposedly a playoff team? Barely squeaking by against a sunbelt team that just got blown out by Arkansas? Yes, a win can still be embarrassing. If you don’t think this will be used against us come December you will be sorely mistaken.

By December all that matters is how many wins the Cyclones have in Big12 games.

We are 3-0 non-conference and a win against a Big10 team. Iowa going 8-4ish will influence national media/ committee/bowl selection more than a 8 point road win over a Sun-Belt team.

 

[isucy86]

One thing I hate about college football in this era is the focus by media and fans about being a Playoff team in mid-September.y

The reality is NO team (other than ND) has played a tough enough schedule to be CFP worthy. Sure Georgia, OSU and Oregon have the talent & tradition. But a lot can happen over the 9 games left on most teams schedules.

Enjoy yesterday and let's beat Arizona.

 

[Hoggins]

One thing I hate about college football in this era is the focus by media and fans about being a Playoff team in mid-September.y

The reality is NO team (other than ND) has played a tough enough schedule to be CFP worthy. Sure Georgia, OSU and Oregon have the talent & tradition. But a lot can happen over the 9 games left on most teams schedules.

Enjoy yesterday and let's beat Arizona.

It’s complete insanity. College football had always been about the regular season and the passion of the fans. No one that matters now to the powers in charge, Disney & Fox

 

[Pope]

Winning is never embarrassing

Last week, you questioned those who were giving respect to ASU. I think you said "This is a game we should win big and will win big. There is nothing scary about this game."

Next time you might want to ease up on those who actually respect a G5 opponent.

 

[AuH2O]

In the week it happens people might make a big deal out of only an 8 point margin vs a G5. By the end of the season it’s going to make no difference if this was an 8 or 28 point margin. There are a ton of factors that will influence the playoffs. Margin of victory by a team notorious close game team on the road following Ireland and an in state rivalry game all within the previous three weeks is not going to tip the scales one way or another.

 

[StLouisClone]

Why would a 2025 10-2 Iowa State not make the playoffs but a 2024 10-2 SMU did?
The 12 teams last year already have 9 combined losses and we're entering only week 4.
Teams may cannibalize each other the way things are now.

Its just too early to make absolute statements.

SMU was 11-1 last year. They lost the ACC Championship game to Clemson but still got an at-large bid at 11-2. There's no guarantees, but it seems like any P4 team that goes 11-1 in the regular season is almost a lock to get a playoff bid.

 

[simply1]

Hope some people sobered up today!

Is heacock still an elite defense coordinator?

We won't be next week

 

[CYedUp]

Hope some people sobered up today!

I wouldn't thump my chest after that win. You should pound a G5 opponent. If we play like that into conference play we won't have the same results

 

[simply1]

I wouldn't thump my chest after that win. You should pound a G5 opponent. If we play like that into conference play we won't have the same results

Not really pounding my chest, just hoping the next day would provide a bit more perspective. Guess not.
So fire Heacock?

 

[CYedUp]

Not really pounding my chest, just hoping the next day would provide a bit more perspective. Guess not.
So fire Heacock?

Saying someone is not elite is not calling for firing.

 

[AlaCyclone]

I wouldn't thump my chest after that win. You should pound a G5 opponent. If we play like that into conference play we won't have the same results

Thankfully, every game is different. A team is never as good as their best effort and never as bad as their worst effort.

However, ISU is (4-0, 1-0) - which includes two rivalry wins, two trophies (Aer Lingus and Cy-Hawk) and a true road win @ Arkansas State.

Let's Go State!

 

[bluestarcyclone]

SMU was 11-1 last year. They lost the ACC Championship game to Clemson but still got an at-large bid at 11-2. There's no guarantees, but it seems like any P4 team that goes 11-1 in the regular season is almost a lock to get a playoff bid.

However it was also pretty clear the ACC was getting propped up by pollsters more than the big 12 and we have seen that continue this year. The pollsters aren't the committee, but there's some clear influence there in the narrative

 

[CycloneVet]

Last week, you questioned those who were giving respect to ASU. I think you said "This is a game we should win big and will win big. There is nothing scary about this game."

Next time you might want to ease up on those who actually respect a G5 opponent.

I don’t have to respect ****, I sat in my living room and watched the game.

 

[burn587]

What was everyone’s count for expletives yelled out loud while watching the game? I think I was somewhere between 20-25.

 

[CycloneVet]

I’m curious when the last time that ISU under Campbell didn’t look way better when it comes to conference games, beat a good OSU team after losing to Ohio etc.

I have said it in another thread. Most likely Campbell is happy with the performance. He doesn’t have to make anything up the next 2 weeks. He will have the attention of every kid in the program. Also kids playing behind guys that struggled will get juice knowing that playing time is there for the taking.

 

[madguy30]

I’m curious when the last time that ISU under Campbell didn’t look way better when it comes to conference games, beat a good OSU team after losing to Ohio etc.

I have said it in another thread. Most likely Campbell is happy with the performance. He doesn’t have to make anything up the next 2 weeks. He will have the attention of every kid in the program. Also kids playing behind guys that struggled will get juice knowing that playing time is there for the taking.

Any head coach should be generally happy to be winning but still have all sorts of things to get better at or have things that haven't gone well to dissect and work through especially in a bye week.

And there's likely all sorts of stuff that they're seeing that us plebes have no clue about that is improving or going well that aren't obvious on a broadcast.

 

[Pope]

I don’t have to respect ****, I sat in my living room and watched the game.

Didn't say he (or you) had to respect the opponent. Just suggesting that folks not criticize those who do.

 

[SeventhSon]

I’m curious when the last time that ISU under Campbell didn’t look way better when it comes to conference games, beat a good OSU team after losing to Ohio etc.

I have said it in another thread. Most likely Campbell is happy with the performance. He doesn’t have to make anything up the next 2 weeks. He will have the attention of every kid in the program. Also kids playing behind guys that struggled will get juice knowing that playing time is there for the taking.

His post-game interview with the sideline reporter was almost giddy. He seemed excited for the bye week to work on all the things they screwed up. Football coaches are funny people.

 

[FinalFourCy]

I wouldn't thump my chest after that win. You should pound a G5 opponent. If we play like that into conference play we won't have the same results

ND lost at home to a NIU team that went .500 in the MAC

This game isn’t very informative. Style points aren’t a thing