Turnaround

While on a long drive today, I was struck with the differnce in "physicality" the Cyclones have presented this season as compared to last.

It is an imperfect comparison, but in general, ISU has dished out this season what it recieved last season from:

Iowa
Okie State
a$m
KSU

One can rightfully argue that Baylor and Nebraska both had a huge turnaround compared to their '04 games against ISU, and I say fine, that will happen. ISU is ahead, at this moment, 4-2.

Folks who witnessed the meltdown at Mizzou say that ISU was in control for about 52 minutes. Half a star, then.

But those four games are a complete turnaround from '04. Iowa and a$m toyed with ISU, and could have won by far more than they did. KSU was in control until the fourth. OSU, while helped by early turnovers, kept the Cyclones in check.

Each were dominated by ISU from gun to gun. It's been a long, long time since ISU put down four opponents in that fashion.

The next two games will separate ISU from Just Another Season and Season To Remember. ISU was essentially even against both CU and KU last year, splitting the games. This observer was quite nervous at how well the Jayhawk Motionless Offense was moving in '04 before the QB got hurt, which became the turning point in both the game and KU's season. KU coulda-woulda-shoulda won their last 4 including ISU, and with their starter at QB would have done better than the 1-4 finish that did them in.

Hopefully the newfound muscle can finish the job the next 2 games, and ISU can create a bit of national buzz they lost during the 3 game slide.

Peterclone