That headline certainly doesn't beat around the bush, does it?
For those who think criticism (or at least serious concern) is unwarranted, read the first two paragraphs of that write-up. It's also a perfect balance of the quandary: Rhoads is passionate, and it can be infectious; ISU fans are historical patient, but they do have a breaking point, sometimes that point occurs earlier for some, later for others).
I've been among the negative CFers after this game (elevated by much of what has transpired from Liberty Bowl onward), but I don't consider myself an ***hat, or whatever the term is. But threads like this make me feel like I'm lumped in with the most extremely negative fans (who, even if I think they're overreacting and launch into seemingly unwarranted tirades, often include a grain of truth).
I have done none of the following things over the weekend (and neither have a lot of debbie-downers):
1. Called for Rhoads to be fired. He should be experiencing a build-up of scrutiny, yes, but I'm not calculating the budgetary limitations of a buyout right now.
2. Specifically bashing a player, such as saying Richardson can't play and Rohach should start, or such. (I did comment in the game thread that Lazard should have attempted to use two hands to secure the catch on that INT, but that's more of a coaching issue for development).
3. Suggested that ISU's problem is that the talent is sub-par (if anything the staff has found a way to squander talent in the "skill" positions).
4. Suggested that we're automatically headed for another 3-9 season or worse (I did text a co-worker something similar during the game. It was during the third quarter. Did anyone else feel any different?).
5. Bash CW. (As negative as I can occasionally get, I felt uncomfortable about that stuff).
My biggest concerns?
* How can a team look so promising on both sides of the ball for a quarter, then look entirely different the final three? (This isn't the first time that has happened).
* Why do fans make excuses about having a key starter sidelined — not just that it would have impact — losing an impact WR and your starting center is not going to help. But the team is night-and-day different because of it? ISU won at Nebraska in '09 when its starting QB and RB were out. Rhoads coached that game.
* How do so many of the same offensive struggles happen under 3 different coordinators? And don't tell me Mangino's scheme was just a matter of "saving everything for later" or "hasn't installed it yet." When is it going to be “installed� Of course you don't want to reveal your entire hand on opening day. But when you get in danger of losing the "gimmie" non-conference home opener (since apparently the best way to build up a program is to schedule as weakly as possible and FCS is as low as you can go), you might as well pull out all the stops and see what happens. I'd love to save the fake punts and 4th-and-1 attempts in our own territory for the likes of Oklahoma, if we're in the game late, but why not do what you gotta do regardless of opponent?
