This late in the season the standings = the ranking

[dualthreat]

The two games this past week that didn’t go our way to secure our spot in the title game were a blessing.
It makes Campbells message to the team clear this week. We have to win to guarantee our spot.
I don’t think Campbell approaches the game this way, but other guys on the team aren’t dumb. They know the scenarios too—at least to a certain extent. I’m sure post game they will say “All I knew was that if we won we were in”

 

[TedKumsher]

. . . Dicker is a good kicker.

Did you know it?
That you're a poet?

 

[Aclone]

Finally, chew on this: ISU laid an egg against Louisiana while Texas was blowing out a hapless UTEP squad. When you look at conference stats only ISU is outscoring the Longhorns by 40 and has a better scoring average per game (35.5-34.9). That's with the overtime scoring in there.

Same applies to WVU. Look at conference only stats, which chops off them scoring 56 against whomever, and their offense is actually really humdrum.

 

[JM4CY]

Same applies to WVU. Look at conference only stats, which chops off them scoring 56 against whomever, and their offense is actually really humdrum.

WV offense isn’t gonna do jack against our D. If Brock and Breece get theirs as they normally do, we will be more than fine Saturday.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

As the season comes to a close, this is true. The standings are reality because the body of work is near complete. Otherwise, what's the point of playing the games if the actual records don't count?

Whatever, as others have written, all that matters now is the championship test between OU and ISU. And I don't believe there are many that would pick that one differently.

As for K-State, the wheels have fallen off. Losing Skylar Thompson was the death knell for this squad. As the year progressed, injuries, C19, and transfers eviscerated the depth chart. At Baylor, State was missing both starting linebackers, like at ISU, two starting linemen, plus Thompson. That's hard to overcome and even then they lost on the last play of the game.

Next time you bring it up KSU will have been without 15 starters in their 45-0 drubbing in Ames.

 

[VeloClone]

WV offense isn’t gonna do jack against our D. If Brock and Breece get theirs as they normally do, we will be more than fine Saturday.

It's not their offense that I am worried about. They have the third best rushing defense and the best passing defense (#1 in scoring and yardage) in conference games. Granted the two Big 12 offenses they have yet to face are #1 and #2. ISU is #1 rushing and #4 passing, #2 yards and scoring. Oklahoma is #4 rushing and #1 passing, #1 yards and scoring.

It is probably going to be a slog. ISU needs to get theirs when it is there - getting TDs rather than settling for FGs. Making catches - no drops - to move the chains. And most importantly take care of the ball. WVU leads the league in interceptions with 9 in 7 games.

 

[PSYclone22]

I like that this thread is an exact repeat of last year:

The standings now become the ranking, no more rationalization ...

Oklahoma Sooners - played with grit Baylor Bears - defenseless fields Oklahoma State Cowboys - bedlam looming Iowa State Cyclones - nice win Texas Longhorns - nice try K-State Wildcats - oofta TCU Horned Frogs - tough win Texas Tech Red Raiders - tough loss West Virginia Mountaineers - winner...

cyclonefanatic.com

But in 2018, when K-State was in 9th, for some reason the standings weren't the rankings

Wow, this last B12 power ranking is hard ...

OU - CFP still available UT - Herman's no hermit WVU - can't get over coaching ISU - don't get LHN TCU - Gary's coaching his considerable off oSu - hard to figure K-State - better TxT - beat down BU - beat up Ku - miles away

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[surly]

Naturally, as each season winds down, wins and losses prove who is best, in-between, and worst over that period of play. I'm not sure why this concept of reality is so troubling?

 

[inCyteful]

Naturally, as each season winds down, wins and losses prove who is best, in-between, and worst over that period of play. I'm not sure why this concept of reality is so troubling?

Why do Ws and Ls matter more at the end of the season than other times?

Surly you aren't suggesting that KSU is as good now as its 4 wins would indicate? If KSU had to play as they are now the only win they could secure is Kansas and that might be in OT.

 

[surly]

Why do Ws and Ls matter more at the end of the season than other times?

Um, because those games reflect a body of work.

Are you saying it's fair to judge ISU as being as good as its first game loss to Louisiana or later as it was in its loss to oSu? Of course not. ISU is the conference leader presently based on a season's play.

Why would you judge any team on a single game when you have the whole season of actual head2head play to decide that?

 

[JM4CY]

Um, because those games reflect a body of work.

Are you saying it's fair to judge ISU as being as good as its first game loss to Louisiana or later as it was in its loss to oSu? Of course not. ISU is the conference leader presently based on a season's play.

Why would you judge any team on a single game when you have the whole season of actual head2head play to decide that?

 

[inCyteful]

Um, because those games reflect a body of work.

Are you saying it's fair to judge ISU as being as good as its first game loss to Louisiana or later as it was in its loss to oSu? Of course not. ISU is the conference leader presently based on a season's play.

Why would you judge any team on a single game when you have the whole season of actual head2head play to decide that?

When did I say to judge ISU or any team based on one game? I hate you ******* cowards that try to twist words of other people because you can't string together a cohesive thought yourself.

I don't care how you reflect it. ISU sits alone at the top right now anyway you slice it.

You are the KSU fan trying to find some way to twist the data to make KSU look better than it is.

All season long you go by eye test, how good they look, how are they are playing. Ironically, this is when KSU is at least at mediocre levels.

Now, at the end of the season, when KSU couldn't tell the difference between the end zone and their *******, you jump back to overall record.

Pick either method and ISU is at the top. In the words of our famous CyFanatics Leader - "Suck It"

 

[surly]

I don't care how you reflect it. ISU sits alone at the top right now anyway you slice it.

You are the KSU fan trying to find some way to twist the data to make KSU look better than it is.

All season long you go by eye test, how good they look, how are they are playing. Ironically, this is when KSU is at least at mediocre levels.

Exactly, ISU is on top based on their record of play. To eye test that at this late date is foolhardy. And that's the basis that should be applied to every team because we are closing down a head2head season.

As for the rest of your statement, much of it is false. As the season progressed, I explicitly stated that not only should we be looking at the "eye test" but also the actual records should be factored in.

 

[inCyteful]

Exactly, ISU is on top based on their record of play. To eye test that at this late date is foolhardy. And that's the basis that should be applied to every team because we are closing down a head2head season.

As for the rest of your statement, much of it is false. As the season progressed, I explicitly stated that not only should we be looking at the "eye test" but also the actual records should be factored in.

No. Wrong. Stupid

ISU is at the top either way.

KSU, on the other hand, is a much worse team than their record would indicate now.

I think your challenge here is you need to be able to view multiple data points with an objective eye.

In any case, it is going to be a long, cold winter in Manhattan, manipulate it however helps you get through it.

 

[surly]

ISU is at the top either way.

I doubt there's a single, non-ISU fan or media expert who would agree with that statement. And because that's your basis, you've destroyed your overall argument.

 

[DurangoCy]

1. ISU - Tier 1
2. OU - Tier 1
3. OSU - Tier 2
4. Texas - Tier 2
5. WVU - Tier 2
6. TCU - Tier 3
7. Baylor - Tier 3
8. Texas Tech - Tier 3
9. KSU - Tier 4
10. KU - 3a HS

 

[Aclone]

As for K-State, the wheels have fallen off. Losing Skylar Thompson was the death knell for this squad. As the year progressed, injuries, C19, and transfers eviscerated the depth chart. At Baylor, State was missing both starting linebackers, like at ISU, two starting linemen, plus Thompson. That's hard to overcome and even then they lost on the last play of the game.

Just to offer a little reassurance surly, at least Skylar Thompson will be able to use the COVID exemption to come back next year. Any word yet on that?

Assuming he doesn’t use it to grad transfer, of course.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Getting beat by one with a depleted roster away from home on a walk-off field goal is hardly an embarrassing loss. BU had ISU on the ropes in Ames after all and ISU is awesome.

Once again, if records don't matter why bother? K-State has played an almost complete schedule. The wins/loses speak for themselves. Otherwise, it's all an eye test which would put OU in first-place, right, or are you saying the eye test puts the Clones in first?

We did win the head to head.....

 

[surly]

Just to offer a little reassurance surly, at least Skylar Thompson will be able to use the COVID exemption to come back next year. Any word yet on that?

Assuming he doesn’t use it to grad transfer, of course.

Nothing yet from Skylar. He probably doesn't know himself, as he's dealing with rehab after surgery.

For K-State, it would a Godsend to have him back tutoring the incoming freshman. Obviously, Will Howard wasn't ready to replace Thompson, and I doubt Jake Rubley will be either.

Watching how teams deal with this year's senior class and how the class makes their individual choices will make for an interesting offseason.

 

[DurangoCy]

@surly - who would KSU beat in conference this weekend if they played on a neutral field?