The Athletic- Big XII Predictions

[Al_4_State]

If you want to talk about consistencies, let’s talk about the ones that aren’t...well, that are equally the result of a program building up from being a dumpster fire.

A. Units Improve
I don’t know where to start, Quarterback or the Defensive Line?

First, not only is Brock Purdy the best quarterback in Cyclone history, his backups are likely the most talented QB recruits in ISU history.

Including Brock.

I’ve been watching recruiting for over forty years.

Talent on the DL has been a sea change, going not only back to the Brent Curvey etc. group, but back to the man eaters of the late Seventies. I won’t debate the talent at the top, but depth goes deeper—talent three deep on a four man front depth chart—than I’ve ever seen it. Ever.

And it’s not even close.

Safeties? Best shape I’ve ever seen them in. Corners? Despite the questions left over from last season (mostly due to injury it’ll inexperience), there’ll be answers. The linebackers have a burly starting trio—and more depth than Dan McCarney ever dreamed about. The WR room is...breathtaking to me.

And I might have accidentally skipped the tight ends.

The OL room is the next one to take a big step, between this year and next.

And as far as the kickers and punters...that’s an issue of Narveson not panning out—despite a strong leg—and Corey Dunn’s inconsistency. Given that all four of the punters and kickers are officially “seniors“, perhaps this year’s recruiting will offer a long term solution.

* By the way, your #3 was an exaggeration, and doesn’t belong on the list. For example, shanked punts were a problem at the start of 2018–and resolved by avoiding rugby style punts thereafter.

Missed kicks? That stabilized when they started only making attempts inside Assalley’s range. More obsolete data.

The main changes about catching had to do with rules changes about all placement.

Take out those exceptions and everything else on the list seemed pretty much within the statistical norm for imperfect college students making their fair share of mistakes.

I’ll even point out that the coverage units have been very good.

Last year's team was better than 7-6. The 2018 team was better than 8-5. We still can't beat Iowa.

I love Campbell and want him around forever. But if this program is going to take the next step, something has to change. I could really enjoy Fall without the next step, but seeing how close we are, I think we'd all want it.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Last year is totally different if we make a couple of plays, Stanley threw two gift wrapped INT's in the 2nd half at JTS last year, catch one of those and we win. Jalen Hurts did the same thing in Norman, we had a dropped INT that gave them at TD and White dropped a pick 6 early on, make one of those plays and we win. As great as Campbell is and as much as he preaches about the details, his teams really have trouble with the little things. Special teams mistakes, penalties, turnovers etc. It makes some sense with as much roster turnover we've had the last 3 years but we're due for things to click. Hopefully having a roster of his recruits and a lot of 2/3 year players can get us over that hump.

This above all else is what drove me crazy about last season. He harped and harped on it and it was about the only thing the team could not ever consistently do.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Looking at those schedules, TCU really has the best home/away schedule of anyone. 5 home games with only 1 of their 4 away games being against a projected top-half team (Texas).

Schedule will help them a ton, but I would hold off on crowning them the 5th best team until we see their QB play a game. I could see them landing anywhere from 5th to 9th.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Schedule will help them a ton, but I would hold off on crowning them the 5th best team until we see their QB play a game. I could see them landing anywhere from 5th to 9th.

I agree. I was just saying their schedule was as favorable as any other team given who they get to play at home versus away. Losing Duggan is a significant blow. He had his share of growing pains, but he seemed ready to take the next step this year. They lost some close games at the end.

 

[Neptune78]

Last year's team was better than 7-6. The 2018 team was better than 8-5. We still can't beat Iowa.
I love Campbell and want him around forever. But if this program is going to take the next step, something has to change. I could really enjoy Fall without the next step, but seeing how close we are, I think we'd all want it.

We've taken steps on offense and defense (especially the latter) but the special teams are average, at best. That's where Matt has to really improve if we are going to contend for league titles. Can't wait to see if we have better play this year with our punting and kicking game.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

Agree with everything said, however I'm concerned with our recruiting and how much it has leveled off or even dropped in the rankings. i know rankings aren't everything, but it seems this year we are losing a ton of recruits to EIU and Nebraska. It seems players are still overly influenced on past performance from a school and not future predictions.

 

[Aclone]

Agree with everything said, however I'm concerned with our recruiting and how much it has leveled off or even dropped in the rankings. i know rankings aren't everything, but it seems this year we are losing a ton of recruits to EIU and Nebraska. It seems players are still overly influenced on past performance from a school and not future predictions.

You’re joking, right? This is a really good recruiting class, full of really good athletes who can play ball and have loads of potential.

I’m still looking around for your jimlad...