Perspective

[jsb]

Such a good interview, we should be grateful to have this guy, he will do many good things if given the time.

He's done many great things already.

He got a little snippy with the kid that asked him about the Big 12 championship being the goal. And Campbell was right I've never heard him say that. He was also pretty defensive about the O-line. A few weeks ago, Campbell was doing an interview with Walters (not sure if it was the coach's show or the after game interview), but Walters made some comment about how being bowl eligible wasn't the end goal. And Campbell agreed but also added that the consistency over the past 5 years is something to be proud of as well. I hope that our fans can appreciate that.

I'll be interested to see how this team comes out this week. After reading the quotes from Hummel and Brock on Saturday and listening to Charlie today (and frankly I couldn't bring myself to listen to the others yet), I get the feeling that the team is REALLY down. Like heartbreakingly down. This is a team that obviously wanted to do more this year. But I hope they realize how great they've been for the last 5 years.

 

[jsb]

Just my opinion ISU will never recruit at that level so that’s a bummer.

You literally have no idea. You probably never thought Iowa State could have the second most conference wins over 5 years or go to bowl games for 5 straight years or a multitude of things that had never happened.

 

[coyoteclone]

You literally have no idea. You probably never thought Iowa State could have the second most conference wins over 5 years or go to bowl games for 5 straight years or a multitude of things that had never happened.

Dont know about the future, but with the talent we had returning no way we get beat by Iowa, WV, Baylor and TT. Unless we win out, any bowl will be a huge let down for this team.

 

[jsb]

Dont know about the future, but with the talent we had returning no way we get beat by Iowa, WV, Baylor and TT. Unless we win out, any bowl will be a huge let down for this team.

it is what it is. I’m a fan and I refuse to let myself be deeply disappointed.

 

[iowastatefan1929]

Here is a run down of misery levels for some Big 10 and Big 12 teams:

Miserable - Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Penn St, Texas, Iowa St, West Virgina

Apathetic - Northwestern, Maryland

Verge of Misery - Iowa, Oklahoma

Was miserable fired their coach and now hopeful - TCU, TTU
Hopeful due to new-ish coach - Illinois, Kansas, Michigan St, Rutgers

 

[iowastatefan1929]

17/24 Big 10 and Big 12 teams are miserable, on the verge of misery, or inside the "new coach" honeymoon phase. 7 of the teams have played close to the expectations of the fan base.

 

[NoCreativity]

Dont know about the future, but with the talent we had returning no way we get beat by Iowa, WV, Baylor and TT. Unless we win out, any bowl will be a huge let down for this team.

Agreed, next year was the year to lose to Texas Tech and West Virginia, not when you have this much talent and returning experience.

 

[CNECloneFan]

It's disturbing that so many of our fans don't see what we are building as a program. You will have no room to complain if we ever really suck.

This season is clearly disappointing, but you are correct about our trajectory.

 

[BryceC]

You literally have no idea. You probably never thought Iowa State could have the second most conference wins over 5 years or go to bowl games for 5 straight years or a multitude of things that had never happened.

Iowa doesn’t have a roster like he is talking about and never has. They have had a very, very consistent program over a long time. I just find that hard to believe. Of course I’d love to see it.

 

[BryceC]

It's disturbing that so many of our fans don't see what we are building as a program. You will have no room to complain if we ever really suck.

I’m extremely happy with the program. But if this season ends at 7-5 it’s extremely disappointing and that’s a perfectly fine way to feel. I guarantee you Rose, Kolar, et all didn’t come back for that.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Here is a run down of misery levels for some Big 10 and Big 12 teams:

Miserable - Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Penn St, Texas, Iowa St, West Virgina

Apathetic - Northwestern, Maryland

Verge of Misery - Iowa, Oklahoma

Was miserable fired their coach and now hopeful - TCU, TTU
Hopeful due to new-ish coach - Illinois, Kansas, Michigan St, Rutgers

Couple problems with this in that not everyone of these teams expects to be good or competing for titles (conference or otherwise). Northwestern went to the big ten championship game last year and is very happy having a competitive team every 4 years. Maryland and Indy are basketball schools, if they have good/competitive football teams that's just a bonus. Penn St is underperforming but still gets great recruits (5th best recruiting class next year ahead of OSU) so there is a lot of hope. Nebraska is miserable because they think they should be great and have no real path back to greatness. Michigan's entire season comes down to the buckeyes game in 2 weeks and they will be miserable and calling for harbaughs head if that game isn't close.

That's the problem with having a buzzsaw like OSU in the conference you really cant go into the year expecting to win the big ten. Its more hoping that you win against your rivals and put up a competitive product.

 

[iowastatefan1929]

Couple problems with this in that not everyone of these teams expects to be good or competing for titles (conference or otherwise). Northwestern went to the big ten championship game last year and is very happy having a competitive team every 4 years. Maryland and Indy are basketball schools, if they have good/competitive football teams that's just a bonus. Penn St is underperforming but still gets great recruits (5th best recruiting class next year ahead of OSU) so there is a lot of hope. Nebraska is miserable because they think they should be great and have no real path back to greatness. Michigan's entire season comes down to the buckeyes game in 2 weeks and they will be miserable and calling for harbaughs head if that game isn't close.

That's the problem with having a buzzsaw like OSU in the conference you really cant go into the year expecting to win the big ten. Its more hoping that you win against your rivals and put up a competitive product.

If you take out the honeymooners, I think we will find at the end of the season around 60-70% of fanbases will have not believed their team came close enough to matching or exceeding expectations. Shoot if ISU beats OU this weekend they will want to be jumping off buildings, ISU fans already jumped. Misery loves company in this world.

 

[jsb]

I’m extremely happy with the program. But if this season ends at 7-5 it’s extremely disappointing and that’s a perfectly fine way to feel. I guarantee you Rose, Kolar, et all didn’t come back for that.

Did I say that Rose and kolar would or should be happy? FANS DO NOT HAVE TO FEEL LIKE THE TEAM DOES.

I will say that as down as some of those guys sounded Saturday and today, my only worry is that they are too down about it.

 

[1961Cylones]

I think Campbell is overhyped in a way. He has done really great things at ISU. Really reset the expectations of ISU coaches and players and helped us become a more respectable football program.

Where he is overhyped is in they way he has changed some in our fan base. Some people are so "hyped" by what he has helped us achieve, that they no longer are happy with a bowl, or 7 wins or 8 wins or having great players like Purdy, Kolar, Hall or incredible coaches like Heacock. They are ready to fire coaches and come down hard on players at the first sign that they don't meet their overhyped expectations.

I believe that Campbell is the real deal. That if we keep him, we will eventually become more of a solid team and every once in a while win the conference and maybe get a shot at that 12 team championship they are talking about. Who would have EVER had those expectations before Matt?

He, his coaching staff and players will probably never be satisfied with that, and I love that attitude. But, if that is all he is able to achieve for me and my school. If he takes us to a bowl almost every year and keeps us in the top of the "new big 12" more years than not, I will be much happier as a fan than I was for the last 42 years (the first 3 were pretty good honestly.)

He has had success and spoiled some with less perspective I think. That is the overhyping I'm talking about. I hope we as a fan base can keep our desire and drive without becoming the flaming ******** that other teams' fan bases are. We should want more, but we should keep a realistic and honest humbleness on our way to achieving it.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

I think the way these games have played out has something to do with the 'missed opportunity' feeling we have. On one hand, this team never quits and will gut it out until the last second. That's something you did not see in previous eras and should be applauded. On the other hand, it's simply maddening that we dig ourselves these giant holes seemingly just not being ready to play. I'm no football guru, but it seems that would be a coaching issue.

 

[jctisu]

I think the way these games have played out has something to do with the 'missed opportunity' feeling we have. On one hand, this team never quits and will gut it out until the last second. That's something you did not see in previous eras and should be applauded. On the other hand, it's simply maddening that we dig ourselves these giant holes seemingly just not being ready to play. I'm no football guru, but it seems that would be a coaching issue.

It’s been said ad nauseum but it’s not just the slow starts on the road. Rough or slow starts is one thing, but Baylor, WVU and Tech we were embarrassing levels of bad. And then in the 2nd Half it’s a complete 180 99% of the time.

I think as fans we just can’t wrap our mind around how we can be sooooooo bad in the 1st Half and so good in the 2nd Half

 

[CycloneErik]

Did I say that Rose and kolar would or should be happy? FANS DO NOT HAVE TO FEEL LIKE THE TEAM DOES.

I will say that as down as some of those guys sounded Saturday and today, my only worry is that they are too down about it.

And in fact, there is no required way for fans to feel.
Disappointment with this season is natural, fine, and to be expected. Some aren't disappointed, and that's fine, too.

 

[MartyFine]