Thumped both physically and mentally

Notre Dame exposed our Cyclones deficiencies in the same ways that Iowa, Baylor and Kansas State did: a lack of ability on the lines, and an inability to make the important plays on offense.

The progression of growing a better offensive line is easy to understand, but in Year Four they may be considered behind schedule compared to the turnarounds at other programs.

The failure on important plays and inability to score TDs after crossing the 50 has become A Problem for the offense, and must be fixed quickly or this staff will not reach their goals for the program. ISU scored zero touchdowns on six trips across the 50, while ND was only 2/7 (not including the 86 yard TD run). Score TDs rather than kick field goals and the game is interesting, rather than an emotional rout.

But complaining about a bad bowl performance beats complaining about a 3-9 team. Progress of sorts, but changes need to be made while the bottom half of the league is still in flux. Seize the moment.

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.

Minney Recap

"...an extraordinarily beatable Iowa State team .." won anyway.

The defense held when it needed to.

Scoreboard.

Peter

Update:The comments to the recap are epic.

Big Win

Called It.

A big step forward for the program. Celebrate, then get in the weight room, boys.

Peter

Bowl Costs

The Wiz has an ugly chart of the amount of money schools normally lose on bowl trips.

The worst example is Ohio- losing a couple hundred grand on a trip to Detroit, the same year you cut three sports.

I hope ISU can at least break even.

Peter

Trend

When something happens once, it happens.

When something happens twice, its a coincidence.

When something happens a third time there is something going on.

Whatever the word is on Mizzou, it's out.

Peter

NYD

The good news about the Goblas playing the early game Thursday is that the game will be over in plenty of time to take a nap. I mean it will be over by halftime.

The Carolina offense is atrocious. SUI's second score will be the winning score. Yes it will be that ugly.

I say 24-7, but it will feel like 44-7. Gobla fan will act like they won the NC.

Peterclone

Indy

Since the bottom half of both the B12 and SEC stunk, Shreveport got to host two teams who actually appreciate a trip there: La Tech and N. Illinois. Good for everybody.

Honestly, I would rather watch two good teams from mid-majors than a #6 vs. a #7 from BCS leagues.

Peterclone