Five Quick Thoughts: Iowa State (by Jameson McCausland)

[okiehorn]

Granted the Iowa State defense was probably tired, but one bright spot for me was they got ball with over 4 minutes to play and never gave it back.  It's something, right?

Yea 7 1/2 min. That was impressive to finish the game

 

[DMAC]

Granted the Iowa State defense was probably tired, but one bright spot for me was they got ball with over 4 minutes to play and never gave it back.  It's something, right?

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/705

We are #10 in Time of possession.   It would be better if Shane wouldn't snap the ball with the clock running and 20 seconds left on the play clock when we SHOULD be burning the clock. (last night a few times)

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Great read guys, lots of great analysis here.

My thoughts.

1. While I said Sam was the one with the moxie, make no mistake Buechelle's bravery. If you look back on the TD pass to Carter, Buechelle gets leveled as he released the ball. IMO, He KNEW that was coming and yet got off the perfect pass anyway. 

2. Rowlands hit a 49-yarder last night. It basically sucked all the air out of Iowa State's hopes. But we hit a friggin' 49-yarder. It sounds better every time I say it. lol

3. I like Carter ALOT better than I used to. 

4. A. Foreman aggravates me so. I'm trying. I really am. lol

5. Since it's easier to find a G, can we move McMillon to LT? At this point, Nickelson plays like he's a hotel doorman or something.

6. Hats off to Boyd. He kept a top notch WR to only 64 yards and prevailed in his 13 attempts more than failed (5).

7. Orlando will need to leave for just the right job. In no way should he leave for a lower or mid tier school. He's better than Muschamp. 

8. I think I stand firm with what I said before. Sam fits this offense and seems to be able to overcome a really bad OC's play calling. There seemed to be a confidence in the air with Sam in there. I did not sense this again with Shane, though he did play well. He could play anywhere. But for a long period of time we didn't get it done with a far less fear-inflicting ISU front 7 (as opposed to USC's). Same OC. Same stupid play calling.  IMO, if we played OU last night, we lose.

9. LJH stepped up early as ISU had Johnson draped. LJH needs more touches.

10. Think about how many kids are out there right now – trying to find a Malik jersey or poster for their room. The way he played at times last night, you just don't see anywhere else. Not even Bama.

 

[oldhorn2]

Malik tackles like Nobis.Not as viciously as Nobis, but he grabs em up high and flings em. Nobis grabbed em up high and continued on through to smush the guy. I just realized that.

For the young guys....doing anything like Nobis is beyond a good thing.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Offense is bad; really bad.  No excuses.... next man up... la-de-da.... but I'm finding it hard to blame the coaches. 

Our two tackles last night were:  RT - 285LB (3 star) True Freshman;  LT - our backup RT from earlier in the season.  One of our guards is a TE converted to DT converted to OG.  And... according to our coach, we have one backup lineman that doesn't terrify him.  My point is this, if you cannot block, it doesn't matter what play you call and it doesn't matter how talented you are at RB / WR.  Offense is not going to be very good.  I loved Harrison's wright up, but calling the OL performance "average" is being kind.  I'm not blasting the kids.... effort is there; some are playing ahead of schedule and others are playing out of position. 

I hope Conner can come back ahead of schedule and our True Freshman RT continues to improve.  Otherwise, it is going to be a struggle offensively for the entire season. 

"but I'm finding it hard to blame the coaches."

This.

I'm as guilty as anyone but the bottom line is that the coaches see and know things the average fan doesn't see and know. 

 

[TexCoyote]

Malik tackles like Nobis.Not as viciously as Nobis, but he grabs em up high and flings em. Nobis grabbed em up high and continued on through to smush the guy. I just realized that.

For the young guys....doing anything like Nobis is beyond a good thing.

Malik tackles like Nobis.Not as viciously as Nobis, but he grabs em up high and flings em. Nobis grabbed em up high and continued on through to smush the guy. I just realized that.

For the young guys....doing anything like Nobis is beyond a good thing.

Malik tackles like Nobis.Not as viciously as Nobis, but he grabs em up high and flings em. Nobis grabbed em up high and continued on through to smush the guy. I just realized that.

For the young guys....doing anything like Nobis is beyond a good thing.

When Tommy hit'me they went back the other direction. They never fell forward. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Saw this on another site and thought it pretty much summed things up. And don't think for a minute that the coaches don't realize what they are working with. 

What's pretty obvious to me is we have an average juco transfer in at LT, a seem to be soft LG who was benched last year, a physically weak soph at C, a converted DE at RG, and a true freshman at RT.

 

[Adferrum]

Is there any information on when Rodriguez will be back? 

I think Kerstetter had a very decent first game, apart from that one drive on which he committed two holds. Looking forward to see more of him in the future.

 

[DMAC]

Please never another bye week / Thursday night game combo.  It feels like 2 bye weeks in a row.  I want my games on Saturday.

 

[DMAC]

Saw this on another site and thought it pretty much summed things up. And don't think for a minute that the coaches don't realize what they are working with. 

What's pretty obvious to me is we have an average juco transfer in at LT, a seem to be soft LG who was benched last year, a physically weak soph at C, a converted DE at RG, and a true freshman at RT.

The biggest issue is even if we sign HS OL it usually takes minimum 2 years for them to be productive and experienced.  Being a very light OL year that means 3 years before we hope to have a decent OL.  I doubt Orlando is here past next year so Herman better go out and find some JUCO bodies. 

Instead the recruiting thread is about Herman visiting WR, RB, OLB, CB, DL and such.  We need Lineman.  It doesnt matter who the QB is if we cant run the ball and protect the QB that talented group of WR's means jack shit.  Its like fixing up a Pinto with racing stripes.  There has to be a JUCO LT out there better than Nickelson

 

[Jameson McCausland]

The biggest issue is even if we sign HS OL it usually takes minimum 2 years for them to be productive and experienced.  Being a very light OL year that means 3 years before we hope to have a decent OL.  I doubt Orlando is here past next year so Herman better go out and find some JUCO bodies. 

Instead the recruiting thread is about Herman visiting WR, RB, OLB, CB, DL and such.  We need Lineman.  It doesnt matter who the QB is if we cant run the ball and protect the QB that talented group of WR's means jack shit.  Its like fixing up a Pinto with racing stripes.  There has to be a JUCO LT out there better than Nickelson

100% agree about offensive lineman taking at least 2 years before they can make an impact. The problem is that the quality of JUCO lineman is just not worth it most of the time. Would you rather Herman take 2 Tristan Nickelson type JUCO's or 2 three star lineman that will be able to redshirt and be developed, because that it what it comes down to. The most important thing this offseason is going to the development of Sam Cosmi, JP Urquidez and how Elijah Rodriguez come back from injury. Assuming Connor Williams leaves, the offensive line next year will look something like: Cosmi/Kerstetter/JUCO-Vahe-Shackelford-McMillon-Rodriguez (Left to Right).

 

[Eastexhorn]

Agree OL is most of the problem on offnce. After OU and K St. the QB situation might be settled , down to Heard as others will be knocked out unless OL play improves. IMO

 

[MikeV73]

Watching Brandon Hodges blocking for PITT  vs RICE right now.  He could have been a serviceable OL for us if he had stuck around this season.  

 

[DMAC]

100% agree about offensive lineman taking at least 2 years before they can make an impact. The problem is that the quality of JUCO lineman is just not worth it most of the time. Would you rather Herman take 2 Tristan Nickelson type JUCO's or 2 three star lineman that will be able to redshirt and be developed, because that it what it comes down to. The most important thing this offseason is going to the development of Sam Cosmi, JP Urquidez and how Elijah Rodriguez come back from injury. Assuming Connor Williams leaves, the offensive line next year will look something like: Cosmi/Kerstetter/JUCO-Vahe-Shackelford-McMillon-Rodriguez (Left to Right).

Wasnt Brandon Hodges a JUCO?  He was decent. but it was alignment issue with the new staff.  I know he was a OG but Tristan is really subpar at LT and its hard to believe there isnt anyone better.

Our depth chart has been decimated with injuries and transfers.  We need more depth.  

I hope Warhime can develop those young guys quickly.  

Dont forget about Patrick Hudson at guard.  He was impressive vs SJSU,

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Assuming Connor Williams leaves, 

I don't think Connor Williams leaving is a given. Basically two years at Texas and a killed chance to maximize his draft position? I think he comes back.

 

[Jameson McCausland]

I don't think Connor Williams leaving is a given. Basically two years at Texas and a killed chance to maximize his draft position? I think he comes back.

It is definitely a possibility that he comes back. He can look at it 2 ways:

1. I can come back and improve my draft stock (early 1st round pick instead of mid to late first round)

2. I am a first round pick even with my injury, I need to get the money while I can.

I know if I was in his position I would most likely still declare. It’s hard to turn down being a first round pick.

 

[Jameson McCausland]

Wasnt Brandon Hodges a JUCO?  He was decent. but it was alignment issue with the new staff.  I know he was a OG but Tristan is really subpar at LT and its hard to believe there isnt anyone better.

Our depth chart has been decimated with injuries and transfers.  We need more depth.  

I hope Warhime can develop those young guys quickly.  

Dont forget about Patrick Hudson at guard.  He was impressive vs SJSU,

Hodges was a JUCO. He was a top 3 ranked OT coming out of junior college. There are always going to be a few elite JUCO lineman, but the 75th ranked JUCO lineman isn’t comparable to a high school lineman.

Hudson is going to be in prime position to take over a guard spot as early as next year. I love his ability in the run game.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

It is definitely a possibility that he comes back. He can look at it 2 ways:

1. I can come back and improve my draft stock (early 1st round pick instead of mid to late first round)

2. I am a first round pick even with my injury, I need to get the money while I can.

I know if I was in his position I would most likely still declare. It’s hard to turn down being a first round pick.

2. Why is there a "while I can" in this sentence? There is no expiration date. Yeah, he's probably top 20 even with the injury. But there's nothing to suggest he won't do better by coming back. Whats he afraid of? Failure? Seriously doubt that. Injury? He's already injured.

 

[MikeV73]

What happened with Alex Anderson?  He played some as a backup last season and should at least offer some game experience.  Garrett Thomas was another OL recruit who seemed to have some potential.  Where are these guys, and can they not beat out  a true freshman for playing time?

 

[Jameson McCausland]

2. Why is there a "while I can" in this sentence? There is no expiration date. Yeah, he's probably top 20 even with the injury. But there's nothing to suggest he won't do better by coming back. Whats he afraid of? Failure? Seriously doubt that. Injury? He's already injured.

Injury plays a big factor. If he comes back and gets hurt again or his performance suffers, he cost himself millions of dollars. It’s a tough decision to make for him. That will be the number 1 story heading into the offseason.