I have been an ISU fan since 1976, and I have seen a lot of teams that I was infinitely less optimistic about than this one. This teams finds ways to lose games. A whole bunch of ISU teams never stood a chance in games.
Poll: ISU -3.5 vs TTU
- Thread starter ClonesFTW
- Start date
You came during Earle Bruce's tenure. IMO if Bruce had stayed at ISU, the historical perspective regarding ISU football would have been positive. He was like 24-11 his last three years.
He built a great program and is still the only coach in Iowa State football history to ever achieve three-8 win seasons in a row. It’s amazing how quickly it was trashed in the 1980s by numerous factors.
Donnie Duncan did beat the Hawkeyes three out of four times. Outside of that, dark days came very quickly.
Based on what we now know - if there is any game we "should" have or will win this year, it would be this. TT is horrible away from home (has lost all of those games) and should be held very well in check by our defense. The weather should limit big pass plays.
IF we don't win this game, then I think people have all the reason in the world to freak out.
IF we don't win this game, then I think people have all the reason in the world to freak out.
Texas Tech is highly motivated, they know it is a winnable game, and as Chris and others in the media have alluded to this week, they aren't the mentally fragile Tech teams of the Kliff Kingsbury/Matt Wells era. Weather won't be that big a factor either, for Tech. It has been cold there all week.
T Tech 28 Iowa State 13
T Tech 28 Iowa State 13
But I also sat through Criner, Walden, Duncan and Chizik years. Even Dan M. teams got hammered on a regular basis. I know it is frustrating to keep losing close games, but I remember a lot of games being down 30-40 at half, and the other team on the sideline laughing.
The Seniors start on the first series, and find success through simplified play calling. The Clones get through the 1H 10-7. Tech roars back in the 3Q, 21-13, scoring 14 POTs to an ISU chip shot FG. ISU returns a punt for a TD to open the 4Q to close within one. Late in the 4Q, the Tech punt returner slips and is tackled on their 14. A holding call on the following series leaves tech 3rd and long on their 7. Then Will McDonald registers a sack, setting the Big 12 record, scoring a safety. Crowd goes wild, and we go to 5-6.
Clones win 22-21
Clones win 22-21
When I think of teams that look drastically different over the last 10+ years on their turf vs the natural grass of JTS, TTU immediately comes to mind. Add in frigid cold, Tech aint that good, and this is a recipe for a 7+ point clones win.
You make a good point here. The cold itself might not intimidate a team from west Texas. The unusual factor is that frozen natural turf is a vastly different playing surface than field turf. Maybe whoever picks the best shoes gains the upper hand.
Cold weather games make teams like Texas Tech focus harder. I never have understood football weather smack. I will be thrilled if ISU finds a way to win this game, but I am not very optimistic. Hope I am wrong, wrong, wrong!
We're planning on going sledding on the hillsides so not too worried about the outcome
I don't know much about Tech - but I know these things:
- They have 5 wins. Big motivation to get 1 more.
- They beat Kansas, which we couldn't do
- They beat Texas, which we couldn't do (thought TX had a QB thing I think...)
I know we really struggle in close games. So, I figure we'll either win by 10+ or lose outright.
Our only hope is to get up early, and really hope that TTech "gives up" in the cold weather.
My wild guess is ISU wins 24-10.
- They have 5 wins. Big motivation to get 1 more.
- They beat Kansas, which we couldn't do
- They beat Texas, which we couldn't do (thought TX had a QB thing I think...)
I know we really struggle in close games. So, I figure we'll either win by 10+ or lose outright.
Our only hope is to get up early, and really hope that TTech "gives up" in the cold weather.
My wild guess is ISU wins 24-10.
Think this was only the second time I picked ISU in one of these polls this season.
In the words of the great Richard Marx...."should have known better."
In the words of the great Richard Marx...."should have known better."
