Numbers

Iowa State has played football against 5 Power 4 teams. The offense is averaging 25.2 ppg. The D: 22 ppg

Opponent,  ISU offensive points scored, opponent defensive scoring avg:

Kansas State,  24, 27

TOE, 16, 18 

Arizona, 39, 24

Cincinnati,  30, 21

Colorado, 17, 31 

 

Opponent, Offensive points scored vs. ISU, opponent offensive avg:

Kansas State,  21, 32

TOE, 13, 29

Arizona, 14, 24

Cincinnati,  38, 31

Colorado, 24, 21

 

The best offensive performance to date was scoring 15 above AZ's average, but the game in Boulder was a big, big miss, scoring 14 under their average.

The defense has been much more consistent, contrary to the opinion of many fans. The GoBlas were held 16 under their average, but Cincy and CU both exceeded theirs. But the losses both required the opponent's offense have better than average days.

The offense has only exceeded the opponents defensive average twice, and the game in Cincy was a loss. 

On the whole, the defense is playing winning football, but the offense is keeping games close and giving the other guy a chance. That's a bad place to be.

Dominant

CSJ staff were genuinely nervous about the match-up with Arizona, as the chaotic defense and mobile quarterback cranked up our fears of the unknown. 

Yet we found ourselves unsure of what to do with our hands in the second half as the Cyclones finished a 39-14 manhandling of the Wildcats. We can only recall conference wins of that ease over teams that were about to fire their coaches, not ones expected to be bowl-eligible. 

The game was won in the trenches, where Iowa State was clearly stronger, and reset the point of attach on most plays. Again, something we are not used to seeing.

Here's hoping the solid play continues in the 'Nati.