3 of my Cyclones friends have now told me the Clones will win 7 games. I ask how?

DesMoinesHawki · 08-22-2011, 04:26 PM

Look at this schedule and tell me how ISU wins 7 games? The only games they will be favored in is against UNI and Kansas. This is a tough schedule and I just don't see seven wins.

Northern Iowa (win)
Iowa (loss)
at Connecticut (possible win)
Texas (loss)
at Baylor (loss)
at Missouri (loss)
Texas A&M (loss)
at Texas Tech (loss)
Kansas (win)
Oklahoma State (loss)
Oklahoma (loss)
at Kansas State (chance to win)

At best -- and this is a college football fan, not just as a Hawkeye fan -- I see mayyyyybe three wins (possibly a fourth if they sneak in an upset). That schedule is a tough one ... (And now, one of the afternoon callers on KXNO also said ISU will win 7 games) ... I mean come on, being loyal to your school is one thing but let's be realistic. I think SI has ISU down for two wins ... Realistically, I think they get three.

TheManTheMyth · 08-22-2011, 04:34 PM

If they play the season on NCAA Football 2012 and use Hail Mary's on every play including 4th downs, they may get 7 wins.

theboat · 08-22-2011, 04:37 PM

You should stop hanging out with ISUer, that is the problem here.

If they get to 7 wins in the regular season, the patriots will fire Belichek and hire rhoads on the spot.

DesMoinesHawki · 08-22-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboat

You should stop hanging out with ISUer, that is the problem here.

If they get to 7 wins in the regular season, the patriots will fire Belichek and hire rhoads on the spot.

Very true my friend ... very true ...

Yeah, I just don't see it ...

eyekwah · 08-22-2011, 04:41 PM

I believe some of the optimism is based on Rhoades saying this is his most talented team since he has been coach. I believe ISU has more returning starters than some of the opponents. I was looking at ISU's historic conference record and the average win total is 30.1% over the life of the Big 8 and Big XII. With 9 conference games they would get 3 wins and I can see two at most out of conference. A 5 and 7 season would be my guess.

vince56 · 08-22-2011, 04:43 PM

I certainly don't think UNI is a lock. Possible win is more like it.

Keeker16 · 08-22-2011, 04:44 PM

From what I have seen and heard from their fans, the Iowa and Texas games are going to be fairly easy wins for them. Surely that has been passed onto our players.

DwayneTwill · 08-22-2011, 04:44 PM

Are they talking about two seasons? Three? Basketball?

DesMoinesHawki · 08-22-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince56

I certainly don't think UNI is a lock. Possible win is more like it.

Good point .... UNI should be pretty good this season and this is a good time to play ISU ... That being said, I still think ISU has more talent and gets the win in Ames. But, I think it will be a close game.

DesMoinesHawki · 08-22-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwayneTwill

Are they talking about two seasons? Three? Basketball?

No ... remember ... the basketball team already has the 2011 national title locked up

thejumper5 · 08-22-2011, 04:47 PM

Their only chance at 7 wins is if they start the year 3-0, including a win over Iowa. If (and that's a huge if) they can do that, they have a slim chance at 7 wins. They should beat Kansas; they can beat K-State; and Baylor is a Robert Griffin injury away from being a doormat again. If everything goes right with those 3 games, ISU just needs to pull off an upset of one of the other six conference teams (best bet would be to catch Mizzou or TTU looking ahead) and not get hit by an upset. All that being said, seven wins is possible, but it isn't particularly plausible.

DesMoinesHawki · 08-22-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejumper5

Their only chance at 7 wins is if they start the year 3-0, including a win over Iowa. If (and that's a huge if) they can do that, they have a slim chance at 7 wins. They should beat Kansas; they can beat K-State; and Baylor is a Robert Griffin injury away from being a doormat again. If everything goes right with those 3 games, ISU just needs to pull off an upset of one of the other six conference teams (best bet would be to catch Mizzou or TTU looking ahead) and not get hit by an upset. All that being said, seven wins is possible, but it isn't particularly plausible.

That's too many 'ifs.' ... No way ISU starts off 3-0 (I know you are just speculating) ... And no way they beat Baylor ... They have a shot at KSU but the Wildcats are slowly on the way back up ...

Mesaclone · 08-22-2011, 04:56 PM

I'm on the ISU confidential board, I'm a cyclone fan, and I talk to LOTS of other cyclone fans. The vast majority think we will be measurably better than we were last season...thanks in part to the way Paul Rhoads is building up his depth and talent. That said, most are HOPING to get to 6 wins and thus make a bowl game...definitely not "expecting" that. Some fans on the boards do get overly exuberant...but if you can't be a little over-optimistic in August there's something wrong with you.

ISU has the 2nd toughest schedule in the nation...so my guess would 4-5 wins is a better estimate...but 6 is attainable. Sadly, the team could be considerably better than last season and still not make it to a bowl game. The key to the season is not the Iowa game, but rather the Uconn game. If ISU can go 2-1 in the non-con season...there's a shot at 6 wins, though it will not be easy. ISU "could" beat Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas Tech....and perhaps steal an upset from Texas or Texas A&M in Ames. It will be VERY tough, with little margin for error.

That said...if Jantz is as good as he's rumored to be...7 wins is not impossible. Unlikely, mind you, but not impossible.