*** Official North Dakota vs IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

[Inthesystem]

I haven’t paid much attention- was something up with Sama or we just got other dudes reps? Campbell say anything in presser?

Hansen saw the ball a lot on third and short I think.

 

[NorthCyd]

I’ve seen plenty of people in here declare we won’t win more than 6-7 games and that we should already forfeit the Iowa game.

A lot of improvement can be made from week one to week two, but you can't deny that yesterday's performance will not get a win against most of the teams on ISUs schedule.

 

[fsanford]

For starters, think about how much our safeties were involved with run support last year. Yesterday, they played back and left the front 6 on their own. Until I see otherwise, I believe yesterday was just part of the game plan.

You are right. Even on short yardage seemed safeties played way off.

 

[Kinch]

I think the key to next week is how open in space our receivers can get early on and OL gives Rocco some breathing room. We do that, I think we can win. If Iowa puts pressure on Rocco and their coverage is good, it will be tough.

 

[T-oh double D]

Did they ever call more than the base D play? I’m not going to get stressed about this as I don’t think the coaches put a lot into the defensive game plan. I’d expect to see a lot more blitzing next week to stop the run. If we see the same performance and a failure to adjust, I’ll get worried then.

This just seemed like a standard Campbell opening game effort. Only show what’s absolutely necessary to win the game. After that first offensive TD, it was a pack it up and move to next week attitude.

I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that a percentage of our fan base believes this stuff.

There’s not a secret play book on either side of the ball that our coaches are holding back for the ‘real opponents’ later in the season.
Our coaches don’t just sort of prepare for an opponent- we give every team we play our best shot with our best game plan for that week.

Yes, our staff will make adjustments, like after Ohio last year, but what we saw yesterday is mostly what we’re going to get this year: Rocco will be solid, our run game will struggle, and our D will give up yardage, but hopefully not a ton of points.

We’re likely a 6-8 win team unless something crazy happens.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that a percentage of our fan base believes this stuff.

There’s not a secret play book on either side of the ball that our coaches are holding back for the ‘real opponents’ later in the season.
Our coaches don’t just sort of prepare for an opponent- we give every team we play our best shot with our best game plan for that week.

Yes, our staff will make adjustments, like after Ohio last year, but what we saw yesterday is mostly what we’re going to get this year: Rocco will be solid, our run game will struggle, and our D will give up yardage, but hopefully not a ton of points.

We’re likely a 6-8 win team unless something crazy happens.

This. Every year people say this. “We’re just keeping things vanilla for Iowa and the Big 12.”

Then we go out and get rocked by Iowa in one the most brutal games of the year. Even the one Campbell win, we looked like complete ****. Iowa just had an O that struggled to gain more than 2 yards a play.

There’s no hiding anything or secret playbook. If it looks rough the first game, there’s reason to be a little concerned. I’m not saying freak out or fire Campbell or some BS about rot. But I’m not necessarily putting money on the Clones next week.

 

[madguy30]

I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that a percentage of our fan base believes this stuff.

There’s not a secret play book on either side of the ball that our coaches are holding back for the ‘real opponents’ later in the season.
Our coaches don’t just sort of prepare for an opponent- we give every team we play our best shot with our best game plan for that week.

Yes, our staff will make adjustments, like after Ohio last year, but what we saw yesterday is mostly what we’re going to get this year: Rocco will be solid, our run game will struggle, and our D will give up yardage, but hopefully not a ton of points.

We’re likely a 6-8 win team unless something crazy happens.

As a general rule the FBS team is going to keep things pretty vanilla in a highly favored situation to start the year.

It's not a holding secrets thing as much as it is getting players settled in and getting good film to work with and build on.

Do you think ISU maxxed out their game planning for yesterday and that's just who they'll be?

 

[SolarGarlic]

I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that a percentage of our fan base believes this stuff.

There’s not a secret play book on either side of the ball that our coaches are holding back for the ‘real opponents’ later in the season.
Our coaches don’t just sort of prepare for an opponent- we give every team we play our best shot with our best game plan for that week.

Yes, our staff will make adjustments, like after Ohio last year, but what we saw yesterday is mostly what we’re going to get this year: Rocco will be solid, our run game will struggle, and our D will give up yardage, but hopefully not a ton of points.

We’re likely a 6-8 win team unless something crazy happens.

I don't think that's accurate when it comes to our defense. Freyler mentioned in an interview they weren't sure what ND was going to do schematically with a new OC. We definitely played very conservatively on defense. The tackling was awful, the run fits of the LB also awful. But we blitzed maybe 3 times?

That said, I usually hate Heacock's approach to Iowa. Every team blitzes the hell out of them except us. And when we do bring blitzes, we tip them and Iowa handles them with ease. How is Illinois State having two guys through Iowa's OL and we rarely get a LB through? Hopefully the staff goes back and watches some McCarney wins over Iowa. Bring the house and then bring it again.

 

[T-oh double D]

As a general rule the FBS team is going to keep things pretty vanilla in a highly favored situation to start the year.

It's not a holding secrets thing as much as it is getting players settled in and getting good film to work with and build on.

Do you think ISU maxxed out their game planning for yesterday and that's just who they'll be?

I respectfully disagree with 2/3’s of your post. Breaking it down in order:
1. I don’t think throwing deep and scoring on two long throws to open the game (which we don’t do often) qualifies as plain vanilla. While there weren’t any gadget plays or special sets, I can’t recall a time where we came out in a home opener swinging for the fences like we did yesterday. Plain vanilla wasn’t how I’d describe our offense at times yesterday.

2. I agree we have to get players settled in and see who is who. Not all great practice players are great game players and vice-versa. Finding out good combos of players, especially on the O-line and Defense is critical- this does take time.

3. I do think we presented our best game plan with what our coaches know about our team so far. I don’t understand the thinking that we somehow didn’t max out our planning, like we just sort of planned or gave 80% of our best…that doesn’t make any sense to me.

For the most part, barring adjustments, or some unknown players stepping up, yes, this is pretty much who we are: If our line can protect Rocco, Rocco and his receivers will be solid, our run game will be lacking most games, and our D will hope to bend and not break.

So, I’m curious, because we hear this every year: do you think we didn’t show all of our playbook yesterday or we didn’t fully plan and prepare for UND yesterday? It sounds like you do and I’m curious as to why you and some of our fan base believes that.

 

[T-oh double D]

I don't think that's accurate when it comes to our defense. Freyler mentioned in an interview they weren't sure what ND was going to do schematically with a new OC. We definitely played very conservatively on defense. The tackling was awful, the run fits of the LB also awful. But we blitzed maybe 3 times?

That said, I usually hate Heacock's approach to Iowa. Every team blitzes the hell out of them except us. And when we do bring blitzes, we tip them and Iowa handles them with ease. How is Illinois State having two guys through Iowa's OL and we rarely get a LB through? Hopefully the staff goes back and watches some McCarney wins over Iowa. Bring the house and then bring it again.

I heard Freyler’s post game interview and I think you have a fair point- we didn’t really know what their offense would do. That’s a fair point for the first half, but what about the second half? I figured we’d make some adjustments after having a look at their offense, but it was the same stuff second half: our D line was getting pushed back and our linebackers weren’t effective.

I agree: bring everyone against the TOE and bring them often. Make their mediocre passing game beat our experienced secondary in one-on-one matchups.

 

[T-oh double D]

I’ve seen plenty of people in here declare we won’t win more than 6-7 games and that we should already forfeit the Iowa game.

Nobody is saying to forfeit next week’s game. What I’m hearing is that most people believe we won’t win next week if we play like we did yesterday.

Do you think yesterday’s performance would get us a win in Iowa City next week?

 

[madguy30]

I respectfully disagree with 2/3’s of your post. Breaking it down in order:
1. I don’t think throwing deep and scoring on two long throws to open the game (which we don’t do often) qualifies as plain vanilla. While there weren’t any gadget plays or special sets, I can’t recall a time where we came out in a home opener swinging for the fences like we did yesterday. Plain vanilla wasn’t how I’d describe our offense at times yesterday.

2. I agree we have to get players settled in and see who is who. Not all great practice players are great game players and vice-versa. Finding out good combos of players, especially on the O-line and Defense is critical- this does take time.

3. I do think we presented our best game plan with what our coaches know about our team so far. I don’t understand the thinking that we somehow didn’t max out our planning, like we just sort of planned or gave 80% of our best…that doesn’t make any sense to me.

For the most part, barring adjustments, or some unknown players stepping up, yes, this is pretty much who we are: If our line can protect Rocco, Rocco and his receivers will be solid, our run game will be lacking most games, and our D will hope to bend and not break.

So, I’m curious, because we hear this every year: do you think we didn’t show all of our playbook yesterday or we didn’t fully plan and prepare for UND yesterday? It sounds like you do and I’m curious as to why you and some of our fan base believes that.

I don't have time to respond in full but are you also someone who thinks the Feast Week tournaments for basketball are representative for how things will go all season for a team?

Have you watched ISU under CMC? Do you think they were better in 2020 later or against LA?

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Nobody is saying to forfeit next week’s game. What I’m hearing is that most people believe we won’t win next week if we play like we did yesterday.

Do you think yesterday’s performance would get us a win in Iowa City next week?

Its just one game, we watched the first half of the EIU game before we headed to the stadium for the ISU game, and I was totally surprised by the final score of their game after watching the first half. It looked like the same ol EIU, run, run and then throw a crappy pass. Defense was solid as always for them.

ISU will have to be able to stop the run and get something going on offense, if we fall back into the pattern of run, short out pass and then run again we are going to be in trouble. EIU like always really crowds the line on first down, just daring you to run the ball, they protect their gaps very well and their LB's are all above average players and finish up. We are going to have to come out throwing the ball and just not a quick out, which leads to INTS and pick 6's.

 

[demoncore1031]

Hansen saw the ball a lot on third and short I think.

Hansen is the 3rd down back. Even on 3rd and long he will be in there blocking. I don't get all the hype with Hansen. He's big and has some speed, but he averages 3 yards per carry for his career so far. The potential is there though.

Sama looked fine and was just held out because we could win without him and there was no need to risk a worse injury.

I think Dylan Lee is gonna be really good, but he's basically 4th string so he will have to wait his turn.

 

[isufbcurt]

I don't think that's accurate when it comes to our defense. Freyler mentioned in an interview they weren't sure what ND was going to do schematically with a new OC. We definitely played very conservatively on defense. The tackling was awful, the run fits of the LB also awful. But we blitzed maybe 3 times?

That said, I usually hate Heacock's approach to Iowa. Every team blitzes the hell out of them except us. And when we do bring blitzes, we tip them and Iowa handles them with ease. How is Illinois State having two guys through Iowa's OL and we rarely get a LB through? Hopefully the staff goes back and watches some McCarney wins over Iowa. Bring the house and then bring it again.

We blitzed a lot more than we normally do yesterday. In the first half those blitzes didn't anything and put us in bad positions. In the 2nd half they provided some pressure a few times.

 

[CYDJ]

This team will still manage 7-8 wins, but not the 9-10 some here are hoping. Time and time again it’s the same deficiencies the past 8 years. At this point it is what it is and that’s not going to change. Could be a lot worse I guess.

I want more.

But, I remember a day that I would take 7-8 wins EVERY SINGLE SEASON AND BE FREEKIN' GIDDY!

It could be a lot worse you GUESS? Are you under 30?

If so, ask someone that has been watching ISU football for a while what this is like compared to before you were born. If you are older, you need to start taking your memry vitamins cause it can be MUCH WORSE. MUCH, MUCH WORSE.

 

[T-oh double D]

Its just one game, we watched the first half of the EIU game before we headed to the stadium for the ISU game, and I was totally surprised by the final score of their game after watching the first half. It looked like the same ol EIU, run, run and then throw a crappy pass. Defense was solid as always for them.

ISU will have to be able to stop the run and get something going on offense, if we fall back into the pattern of run, short out pass and then run again we are going to be in trouble. EIU like always really crowds the line on first down, just daring you to run the ball, they protect their gaps very well and their LB's are all above average players and finish up. We are going to have to come out throwing the ball and just not a quick out, which leads to INTS and pick 6's.

Ha- exactly what I did. Watched their game until halftime and then headed to the Jack for our game. I thought- they’re up 6-0 at half, it’ll finish 20-0 or so. Didn’t expect them to get to 40. They grind you for 4 qtrs and you have to play clean the whole way or they’ll make you pay for it.

Hopefully Rocco can come out firing and our D can hold them under 20 points and we win the turnover battle…if so, we got a good shot at winning the game.

 

[T-oh double D]

I don't have time to respond in full but are you also someone who thinks the Feast Week tournaments for basketball are representative for how things will go all season for a team?

Have you watched ISU under CMC? Do you think they were better in 2020 later or against LA?

I understand- no worries.

I’ll wait until basketball season to comment on basketball.

I’ve been watching Iowa State since 1985 and have been watching closely during the CMC era…he’s been the best thing that’s happened to Iowa State football in a long time. I get what you’re saying- hopefully we beat EIU by 3 scores and this conversation is much ado about nothing.

Cheers!

 

[CyGuy5]

Its just one game, we watched the first half of the EIU game before we headed to the stadium for the ISU game, and I was totally surprised by the final score of their game after watching the first half. It looked like the same ol EIU, run, run and then throw a crappy pass. Defense was solid as always for them.

ISU will have to be able to stop the run and get something going on offense, if we fall back into the pattern of run, short out pass and then run again we are going to be in trouble. EIU like always really crowds the line on first down, just daring you to run the ball, they protect their gaps very well and their LB's are all above average players and finish up. We are going to have to come out throwing the ball and just not a quick out, which leads to INTS and pick 6's.

What really scares me is those short routes. We threw a ton of those yesterday and throwing those against Iowa is just begging for a pick 6. I also wouldn’t be shocked if a punt or FG gets blocked because the deep snapping was poor again yesterday. If I remember right, ND had a pretty good shot at blocking our first (maybe second punt)

 

[Rabbuk]

Ha- exactly what I did. Watched their game until halftime and then headed to the Jack for our game. I thought- they’re up 6-0 at half, it’ll finish 20-0 or so. Didn’t expect them to get to 40. They grind you for 4 qtrs and you have to play clean the whole way or they’ll make you pay for it.

Hopefully Rocco can come out firing and our D can hold them under 20 points and we win the turnover battle…if so, we got a good shot at winning the game.

They figured out what the forward pass is which I assume the interim coach will be fired for