Cascade

Playing the top of the Big 12 has exposed the areas of the team that are the key weaknesses: The back end of the defense, and the front of the offense.

The issues on the defense are due to injury, as the team is now depending on the second, or third, or fourth option on the depth chart. There are no quick fixes, other than hoping everyone back there is a quick learner.

The line is certainly not where it needs to be. Four of the five starters on the line are transfers, and they are still struggling to pick up rushers and create running lanes against quality defenses. All of the other issues on the offenses flow from the struggles up front. 

It was good to see Moberly get extended snaps, even in garbage time. He is a capable QB, but I don't know if he would fare any better in the heat of a first half against a defensive first team.

When the line is able to generate a running game, Raynor is a productive QB. West Virginia is the data point. The problem is every other defense remaining is better. The next game against Oklahoma State has an opportunity statistically, but if the book to shut down Iowa State's offense is to simply load up on the run, the Cyclones may not win the rest of the way.

Our perceptions are distorted by the schedule being more difficult than expected. Looking at the standings as of October 25, ISU has played the three teams at the top, and will not play the three teams at the bottom. The schedule difficulty is up to #15. Ooof.

The data is clear- this team has to run in order to pass.  Improvement can't come fast enough.

 

Developing

The loss in Provo had multiple moments where the game was on the verse of getting away- and the Cyclones would make a play, and keep hanging around.

BYU is clearly a very good team, and deserve their #8 ranking. ISU has some strengths but also some glaring weaknesses. Yet we would argue they are still ahead of schedule. 

Insert your favorite “persevere” cliche here. It would be appropriate. 

Finding A Way

A wild, wild Saturday at Trice, and they good guys found a way to win. It was the classic "make one more play than the other team" kind of win.

While nobody enjoys watching their defense get sliced and diced, it was a typical game for the WVU offense. That's what they do, and they do it to everyone. Your goal is to get as many points on the board as possible.

This point was made by others: this staff is quickly adjusting the offense to what they do well, regardless of the long-term offensive philosophy. We've watched other staffs stubbornly stick with "this is what we want to be" rather than "this is what is working today". Bravo. It's going to be fun watching the offensive evolve, and Raynor grow into his role.

The win was due to the work of one player: Aiden Flora. Post-game, we struggled to put that game into context with Cyclone football history. The stat line is ridiculous:

 22 carries, 212 yards, 9.6 y/a, long of 63, 3 TDs AND 2/2 passing for 2 TDs.

It was a 1 of 1 day- no comparisons. 

It came at the perfect time, and sent Cyclone fans home happy. 

Now a tough roadie to BYU for a Friday game. On paper, BYU is on par with Utah, but hasn't looked the part. Here's hoping they remain in a funk.