Same old or something different?

The staff at CSJ can make both of the arguments for the 2023 Cyclone football season:

-Too many personnel losses and too many changes to staff and scheme keep the offense as the worst in the Big 12, and the team finish 4-8 again;

-The defense keeps the team in every game, and the offense improves just enough to find 6 or 7 wins to earn a trip to Memphis or similar.

We have our fingers crossed the latter is the tale that will be told. But given CMC's propensity to play game close, we will keep a big jar of Tums in arms reach every Saturday. 

Against UNI- the Purple Hawks will keep it close, but miss a 55 yard FG try at the gun and lose 14-13.

No style points- Just win, baby. 

Consistency

Perhaps we all need to make peace with the Cyclones being lousy in September as long as CMC is in charge.

The Russian judge hates it, but a win is a win.

Yips

The loss to the Goblas was the result of a bad habit the Cyclone offense has developed: the yips once they cross the 50.

Against Wazzou: 8 trips across the 50, 3 TDs.
Against UNI: 8 trips (in regulation): 1 TD
Against SUI: 8 trips: 2 TDs, both on long passes.

Sense a trend? Fix the yips and this team will be a problem in the B12.

But offensive yips will limit this team to 5 or 6 wins rather than 9 or 10.

Bullet. Dodged.

Few will recall the defense holding UNI to 33 rushing yards, one red-zone trip and 6 points in regulation.

All will remember the bumbling, stumbling offensive performance. One step forward, one step sideways, one shot in the foot. Solid on first and second down, incompetent on third or fourth. Dynamic between the 20's, Keystone Cops in the red zone. Four great plays in Tempo force a UNI time out, so never run Tempo the rest of the game.

We understand that the first game against a (supposedly) overmatched opponent is an opportunity to get a bunch of things on tape, and run players, formations and plays in new combinations. But at some point in the second half you have to focus on the whole point of the afternoon: Win the dang game.

Despite the offenses best attempts, Iowa State did win the game, almost on accident. They all count the same, even if the Russian judge would have hated it.

Two weeks until the Goblas arrive in the 515, and so much on offense to repair. Even though betting is now legal in Iowa, there is no way you should touch this one. Still too much in the unknown.

Go with the streak

Until shown otherwise, I will assume Iowa State can't beat top level FCS teams. UNI by 10.

Keys

While coming back from down 18 to win in OT is impressive, not getting behind will be more important long-term.

Now We Know

The loss to UNI only cemented Iowa State's title as Program Hardest On Its Own Fans.

During the game I started joking with the Cyclone fan net to me which painful loss from the past was the most painful- and we had a damn long list to choose from. UNI '13 is definitely on it. Delivered at a moment when your fan base was ready to go nuts, it is the worst loss of the Rhodes era. Considering how badly they played in Memphis, its been a while since Cyclone Football has been worth cheering for.

So our Cyclones are a work in progress. At least we will have no illusions about our underdog status the rest of the way.

Patience

UNI should have won in Madison last fall, and the Badgers went on to the Rose Bowl. The Panthers could have won in Iowa City had they gotten a few breaks.

I'm going to assume this game won't be won until the fourth quarter. The heat is going to require lots of rotation of the second team, which should be an advantage for the Cyclones. UNI's first 22 can play, but I hope there is a drop off when comparing ISU's second units to UNI's. If there isn't, we might as well lose since its going to be a long fall anyway. Pull that Band-Aid off early and quickly.

So don't panic if it's tied at 14 at the half. It will be a war of attrition.

Chicken

The new "Big Four Classic" is a public admission: Iowa and Iowa State are tired of losing to Drake and UNI, and aren't going to take it anymore.

Moving road trips to Knapp and McCloud to the "neutral" WFA says nothing more than "We're chicken". After a few years Iowa and Iowa State will simply let the series end and stop playing either Drake or UNI, and will use those dates for two more wins over East Mudboot State.

Pathetic, weak, and a loss for fans of all four schools.

Karma

I'm going to take the long view on the winning debacle against UNI. Given the number of games Iowa State has lost over the last hundred years despite outplaying the opponent, perhaps winning a game they were so undeserving to get represents a small shift in universal football karma towards our Cyclones. Another 40 or 50 wins despite lackluster, uninspired efforts and we'll be close to even. Without a giant step up in performance, the win against UNI could be the only win of the year. Pathetic.

Season

First off, longtime readers know I try to keep my sports expectations, especially in football, reasonable. When you have the smallest budget in your league you can't expect a whole lot.

So based on who Iowa State should beat based on budget, we're looking at 2-10. Only UConn and UNI spend less than our Clonies. (And UConn is certainly within a few cases of athletic tape of ISU- a good accountant could make either school the pauper.)

My annual over/under for football is a modest 4-8, so anything above that is big-time gravy. Beating a school with a larger budget is a double bonus.

With that, my guess at the wins for the year:

UNI
SUI
UConn
Tech
Kansas
KSU

A win in the Pinstipe Bowl over Cincinnati to finish at 7-6.

For entertainment purposes only.

Clash of Styles

When the shots don't fall, it's hard to impose your kind of tempo on the opponent.

Undermanned, first year coach, still learning new roles in a new system, down 1 with a minute to go, on the road? I'll take it.

Baby steps.

Peterclone

Celebrate

Cyclone fans, celebrate tonight's win over UNI. Given how bad the offense has become, it may be the last for the year.

The MO is this: Blitz every play. Our QB's won't make you pay.

We can't develop fresh linemen fast enough.

Random trivia- ISU has had 3 shutouts in their last 10 seasons. Two were against UNI. The other was Baylor, back in '01.

Not that they need it, but Tech had the week off to prepare. Super.

Peter

Unknown

Since we have no idea how good our Cyclones are, there are few results
that would surprise me.

UNI winning and ISU winning by 28 are equal possibilities in my book. Weird.

I'm going with ISU 28-14 because I don't want to contemplate the alternative.

Peter