***Official NDSU @ ISU Prediction thread***

[CY88]

ISU’s young defense gives up significant chunks of yardage but in the Wizard’s typical bend but don’t break approach they stiffen inside the 30 and hold NDSU to 3 field goals and a touchdown surrendering just 16 points.

On the offensive side, SR showcases why he was named the starting QB. Behind solid OL protection, Sam hits a plethora of receivers in stride and in space. The Mangino era at ISU has officially started and is running on all cylinders. The NDSU defense is kept on its heels with an even mix of hard running and accurate passes. The ISU offense has over 450 yards of total offense and scores 31 points.

ISU 31 - 16

 

[Londo]

Energized Cyclone team doesn't let the opener sneak up on them again. OL has a solid performance with only 1 sack, while SR has a solid 2 TD showing while only making one error for an interception. Bibbs and the receiving core additionally do well and everybody cheers when Lazard makes his first two career receptions as a Cyclone. Nealy and Wimberly each find the end zone once and C(Sw)ole Netten **** kicks a field goal in from 42 and 35 out while nailing all xtra points. The defense has some expected miscues and the Bison never roll over for the Clones, but ISU is in the driver seat for most of the game. Cyclone fans wait for the nut shot as it is only a 1-2 score game the entire way through but overall a very productive first game for the offense and not a bad showing from the defense either. 34-24 is the final and there is a very solid base to build off of from what the team gave Rhoads

 

[dualthreat]

I don't have a specific score prediction but I will bet you we will come ready to play vs NDSU. Rhoads' will not have his team sleep walk into the game like last season's opener.

I think A Lazard gets used sparingly. This will keep him off of KSU's radar and I think he has a big game vs KSU. Something like 6 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. I'm thinking we're going to throw everything but the kitchen sink at kansas state. Give them absolutely everything we've got.

Because of this, win or lose the first two games, I think we'll lose to Iowa in Iowa City week 3. Hopefully we are at least 1-1 by this point.

 

[Dandy]

ISU’s young defense gives up significant chunks of yardage but in the Wizard’s typical bend but don’t break approach they stiffen inside the 30 and hold NDSU to 3 field goals and a touchdown surrendering just 16 points.

On the offensive side, SR showcases why he was named the starting QB. Behind solid OL protection, Sam hits a plethora of receivers in stride and in space. The Mangino era at ISU has officially started and is running on all cylinders. The NDSU defense is kept on its heels with an even mix of hard running and accurate passes. The ISU offense has over 450 yards of total offense and scores 31 points.

ISU 31 - 16

Two touchdowns and a safety?

 

[Dandy]

ISU’s young defense gives up significant chunks of yardage but in the Wizard’s typical bend but don’t break approach they stiffen inside the 30 and hold NDSU to 3 field goals and a touchdown surrendering just 16 points.

On the offensive side, SR showcases why he was named the starting QB. Behind solid OL protection, Sam hits a plethora of receivers in stride and in space. The Mangino era at ISU has officially started and is running on all cylinders. The NDSU defense is kept on its heels with an even mix of hard running and accurate passes. The ISU offense has over 450 yards of total offense and scores 31 points.

ISU 31 - 16

Two touchdowns and a safety?

 

[cyclonedave25]

Two touchdowns and a safety?

Didn't you read his post? Haha
3 field goals and a touchdown.

 

[chuckd4735]

There was a poster who said this game feels like the Tulsa game from two years ago. I feel pretty much the same way, and see a very similar scoreline as well.

Good Guys: 35
Bison: 21

I don't recall being too nervous about Tulsa... This game feels more like the Northern Illinois opener in 2010.

 

[tjamz]

Just to preface my prediction: I know I am new here and I know that I am an NDSU fan, like every other fan I know my team better than I know your team so what I'm about to post is based on my knowledge of the returning players from NDSU and not as much about what I know about your team (though I do know a bit).

My prediction is that whoever gets to 20 points first will win and that neither team will get to 30+ I'm extremely confident in the Bison Defense being able to play with your offense, my biggest concerns are at the o-line position for NDSU, I have a feeling we will end up giving up a couple sacks early before they start to gel late in the 2nd quarter. First half advantage I give to ISU. Come second half I believe the bugs will be worked out of the system and NDSU will begin it's grind playing smart power football, managing the clock and just wearing down the defense.

Preposterous you say? I say no, the strength & conditioning coach at NDSU is REALLY good. Our guys will be in peak physical form and will not get easily winded. From there our #2's (if called upon) are also in the same condition physically, so what they lack in skill (slightly) will be overcome by being physically prepared.

My guess:

NDSU - 27
ISU - 21

Though admittedly the score could be flipped.

 

[besserheimerphat]

I imagine NDSU will do everything they can to slow the game down with power running. Rhoads has already said that having NDSU, KSU and Iowa as the first three games is advantageous to us in that we can spend a lot of practice time working against run heavy offenses. NDSU will move the ball for sure, but I think our redzone defense will be good enough to force field goals rather than giving up TDs, and we may force a couple punts if NDSU has many missteps in the middle of the field.

I don't think our offense will be in top form yet, but I think we can be efficient enough to score on most of our drives (this will be crucial for us all season), have the athleticism to break a few long plays and the coaching/strategery to get more TDs than FGs when within striking distance.

I wouldn't be surprised if we only got the ball 6-7 times this game, instead of 8-9 times like most conference games. I think we'll need to score on at least 4 of our drives in this game, with at least half being TDs, to have a chance to win. That kind of drive efficiency would put us at 20 points against NDSU, and about 27 points per game in conference play.

To guess at a score, I'll say 28 for ISU and 24 for NDSU.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Heart says--
ISU 28
NDSU 17

Head says--
NDSU 21
ISU 17

 

[Thomasrickj]

Can we stop creating more threads that lakes can ruin?

 

[CloneZone13]

34-17 ISU. I think we come out with a new focus, and Mangino gets us going offensively.

 

[CyArkie]

The only thing for sure is if you have Dish, you will not see the game on Fox Sports 1. Fox wants more money from Dish to air the game. I for one applaud Dish for their efforts to keep costs to their customers low and believe there is no end to Fox's attempts to increase rates to media outlets.

 

[CyArkie]

ISU 24 NDSU 17...........Wish Fox Sports 1 on Dish didn't block the game, but Fox wants more money from Dish......they're in a price dispute, so we lose.

 

[CoKane]

Bison 31 Cyco's 10
Mangino's offense obesely overrated. Bison defense for real.
Bison offense with Wentz will roll. ISU defense is terrible.

Holy ****. I dont even know what to say after that.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

ISU 5-3 in 11.

 

[Londo]

Just to preface my prediction: I know I am new here and I know that I am an NDSU fan, like every other fan I know my team better than I know your team so what I'm about to post is based on my knowledge of the returning players from NDSU and not as much about what I know about your team (though I do know a bit).

My prediction is that whoever gets to 20 points first will win and that neither team will get to 30+ I'm extremely confident in the Bison Defense being able to play with your offense, my biggest concerns are at the o-line position for NDSU, I have a feeling we will end up giving up a couple sacks early before they start to gel late in the 2nd quarter. First half advantage I give to ISU. Come second half I believe the bugs will be worked out of the system and NDSU will begin it's grind playing smart power football, managing the clock and just wearing down the defense.

Preposterous you say? I say no, the strength & conditioning coach at NDSU is REALLY good. Our guys will be in peak physical form and will not get easily winded. From there our #2's (if called upon) are also in the same condition physically, so what they lack in skill (slightly) will be overcome by being physically prepared.

My guess:

NDSU - 27
ISU - 21

Though admittedly the score could be flipped.

Appreciate your insight and levelheaded-ness, welcome to CF

 

[Doc]

NDSU's defense may give ISU some fits, but Mangino eventually find a couple things that work. It may be low scoring since NDSU is like the Wisconsin bball of B League football. ISU's defense looks surprisingly solid, mostly thanks to the corner duo and NDSU having a new OL, QB, and OC.

ISU 20 - NDSU 13.

 

[SimpsonClone]

This game comes down to ISU's O-line. Which is kind of an obvious statement, but that is what this entire season is based around. If the offense can give Sam enough time to make his reads, I think there are too many weapons in our receiving corps. Defensively, I always expect Wally to have a decent D. You look at last year's final scores in MOST games and they were definitely winnable. This game is no different. The defense will be have the same "bend, don't break" feel to it. It comes down to the offense being able to capitalize on its opportunities. I am excited to finally see a new offensive scheme that doesn't resemble my play calling on NCAA14.

Final thoughts, if the O-line does a good job of protecting Sam, I expect ISU to score over 30 points and hold NDSU to 20. If it fails to do its job, NDSU takes this game and ISU fans are in for another long season.

 

[isufan]

ISU 27-20. Difference in game is a special teams TD