It is not well written on my part, but point is the loser of the game in Ireland the last few seasons (FSU, Navy, Nebraska) has went on to struggle with the rest of the season.
Thoughts on next year?
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Is a LB like Bacon that much different than a defensive end? If we have the size on the d-line to run essentially a DT, NG, and DE and have one of those LB’s rush, isn’t that very similar to a 4-2-5? The advantage of the 3-3-5 is that the QB wouldn’t know where that extra rusher is coming from. The problem is the LBs needed so much help with coverage that they couldn’t send a LB to pressure the QB. They had to drop 8 way too often because of the injuries.
I didn’t follow Navy, but is it possible that FSU and Nebraska just weren’t that good and had nothing to do with Ireland? FSU showed that Travis was their entire team the year before and were overrated without him. Nebraska got the preseason hype but weren’t ready for it.
O-line was pretty good when both Travis and Barrett were healthy I thought. We were able to run the ball pretty well and pass protect. Will we go after a replacement for Travis or do we have someone coming up is the question. Can always improve.
Yeah, the scheme is so bad, dozens of teams around the country have copied it. The scheme isn't the problem, the depleted LB room was the problem. We would have struggled defensively in any scheme, and we have significantly more trouble recruiting D1 defensive lineman than LB. That was the reason for the change in the first place. I felt like the second half of the season in particular was all smoke, mirrors and band aids on defense. Even as far back as the Iowa game we didn't have a single experienced linebacker suit up.
I do wonder if there's a bit of a shift in how they align personnel as it seems like the game has been going back inside and the RB is becoming more prominent as a position (no stats to back it up, just general observation of trends) but yeah there wasn't a scheme out there that was going to save ISU this year.
Those calling for Heacock to retire after still keeping the wheels on enough to grind out that many wins are off their rocker and then calling for a switch in scheme mid-game when there's clearly limits on who's even available to play is next level.
Between what Alston and Green showed yesterday, combined with the two transfer WR's, Overby's ceiling, and a sprinkle of Carson Brown... The WR room will only take a minor step back.. hopefully
We'll see on the health of the TE room, that is the key there.
OL was improved.. if the progress made from 2023 to 2024 is equal to 2024 to 2025, we're heading in the right direction. However, i'm terrified of no LT transfer who is proven like Travis.
Mouser was great and terrible in moments, an off-season to let Rocco cook should do him wonders.
We'll see on the health of the TE room, that is the key there.
OL was improved.. if the progress made from 2023 to 2024 is equal to 2024 to 2025, we're heading in the right direction. However, i'm terrified of no LT transfer who is proven like Travis.
Mouser was great and terrible in moments, an off-season to let Rocco cook should do him wonders.
A couple comments about speed by other people here is right on. We looked slow at certain times last night. Team speed needs improvement.
The team will have their **** together against Iowa at home for once hopefully. Normally Iowa is the first real team ISU plays but between KSU and South Dakota, ISU will be tested. South Dakota is really freaking good fyi
Sure seems like he has been for the last several games. Sama has been getting 2-3 touches per game.
Now, I'm not saying that was the incorrect play as Sama has been objectively bad running the ball this year, but he is a game changer when out in space. I think he has a trouble reading the holes and we need to figure a way to get him the ball in space. Does he have the hands to play the slot? Could fill some holes in the receiving core and utilize his ability in the open field? Just an uneducated thought.
Sowell (ECU transfer) will be the Higgins replacement.
We have to get away from this passive 3 man Dline, it just allows a QB to stand in the pocket and scan the field. If we are having that big of a problem finding D lineman, then we need to start blitzing the LBers more, to put more pressure on the QB. Quarterbacks we face are too good at passing to just allow them to stand, without pressure. It becomes nothing but a 7 on 7 passing drill to them.
We don't have enough linemen to do it. JR is a huge loss. We just need better linebacker play IMO. I got zero problem with 3 down linemen if you got the right linebackers and safetys.
I just don't think people get what we were playing with out there most of the season. It's a miracle Heacock was able to stop anybody with what we had.
Secondary guys are huge losses, there are two NFL guys leaving and one of our all time greats.
There are a lot of bodies at linebacker, a couple guys are going to have to step up and make jumps. Really like what Zac Lovett did last night, maybe he's the guy to pair with Bacon.
Rocco will need to be way more consistent as I think there will be a ton of pressure in the offense to score more consistently. Alston can def play, think we will be fine at receiver. Mix in Brahmer and we should be pretty good again.
Several guys have to make jumps defensively though.
The start of next year is going to be extremely important and will probably know a lot by week 4.
K-state in Ireland is a toss up.
We for some reason don't play well against Iowa at home.
South Dakota will be a win
The game that silently scares me is on the road at Jonesboro Arkansas. They will be ready for that game and if you go into that game losing to k-state and Iowa previously, it could make for a long season where we are hoping to get to 6-7 wins.
that being said....
I think we find a way to go 3-0 non conference
then lose 4 conference games and finish at 8-4.
I am talking myself into a 10 win season though. with Colorado losing a lot and who knows about ASU, I don't think the schedule is that bad.
K-state in Ireland is a toss up.
We for some reason don't play well against Iowa at home.
South Dakota will be a win
The game that silently scares me is on the road at Jonesboro Arkansas. They will be ready for that game and if you go into that game losing to k-state and Iowa previously, it could make for a long season where we are hoping to get to 6-7 wins.
that being said....
I think we find a way to go 3-0 non conference
then lose 4 conference games and finish at 8-4.
I am talking myself into a 10 win season though. with Colorado losing a lot and who knows about ASU, I don't think the schedule is that bad.
Blitzing didn't work this year. Our linebackers sucked at it. We got torched almost every time we tried (there were some exceptions, but not many). Most of the time the blitz just got stuffed and our secondary paid the price. If it did get home, we'd usually whiff on the sack and give up a 10-20 yard scramble.
The LBs that played just weren't good pass rushers. With Bacon hopefully healthy, that'll improve a lot.
