The realities of today's loss

[PCHawk]

I'm actually going to agree with you on something, PC. The Raider pkg. is probably the best thing PP has done and I was baffled as to why we never used it!!! There where 'numerous' times we should have been in 'Raider', got more pressure or at least have people rushing with enough speed (Mends, etc..) to chase Stick down thus eliminating some of those long 'scampers' he had after breaking the pocket.....

I think for all the coaches talk about not taking the game lightly, they actually were the ones who took it lightly. They thought they could win without showing anything, and in their defense, for the first three quarters it looked like they could. You don't do that unless you're taking them lightly.

Also I don't know for sure but from the way Daniels and Welsh were dressed and warming up, it sounds like they could go if they were needed. I have a feeling if we were playing someone the staff wasn't taking lightly, they would have played. That is speculation on my part and I ob8cant back it up tho.

 

[deanvogs]

This coaching staff and KF let their pride and stubbornness get in their way at times. You could tell in the first half that Iowa felt like they should just be able to line em up and play all square with NDSU and beat them handily. For the most part in the first half they did that. Sure it was 14 to 7, but the NDSU offense really didn't do a whole lot, they moved the ball well on the first drive, but not a ton after that. They scored on a defensive play, and we certainly looked like the better team, and felt like we should have been up about 21-3. I think the coaches went into half, didn't really adjust much, and completely and totally got out coached in the second half, and outplayed as well on the field.


On another note, I am so sick of the GD offense. If we are in 2nd and 7 or more, it is a pass play each and every time. If we are 2nd and 4 or less it is a run play each and every time. Why do that? Why basically let the opposing D coordinator have a leg up on you where then can play call to defend run or pass according to down and distance on 2nd down? It makes zero sense. I get it on 3rd down, passing when it is 3rd and 3 or more 90% of the time. Yet why do it on 2nd and 7 or 8 every last time?

 

[PCHawk]

This coaching staff and KF let their pride and stubbornness get in their way at times. You could tell in the first half that Iowa felt like they should just be able to line em up and play all square with NDSU and beat them handily. For the most part in the first half they did that. Sure it was 14 to 7, but the NDSU offense really didn't do a whole lot, they moved the ball well on the first drive, but not a ton after that. They scored on a defensive play, and we certainly looked like the better team, and felt like we should have been up about 21-3. I think the coaches went into half, didn't really adjust much, and completely and totally got out coached in the second half, and outplayed as well on the field.


On another note, I am so sick of the GD offense. If we are in 2nd and 7 or more, it is a pass play each and every time. If we are 2nd and 4 or less it is a run play each and every time. Why do that? Why basically let the opposing D coordinator have a leg up on you where then can play call to defend run or pass according to down and distance on 2nd down? It makes zero sense. I get it on 3rd down, passing when it is 3rd and 3 or more 90% of the time. Yet why do it on 2nd and 7 or 8 every last time?

I agree completely. The first half, the players showed they were way better but just couldn't quite put it together. The second half was classic kill the click and get to the next game. Part of me doesn't blame him for thinking that way because they did look extremely out matched. The majority of me thinks practice what you preach. If you tell your players all week not to underestimate them, maybe you shouldn't either.

 

[goods10]

The thing is, our defense can't get off the field to give our offense a chance to get a rhythm. They don't give up a lot of points because they give them up so slowly. How much better off would we have been if they gave up a one play scoring drive instead of an 8 minute scoring drive? When your the better team, giving up a quick score is the second worst thing you can do. Way behind the worst thing which is giving up a long, drawn out scoring drive. Take some frickin chances and get the defense off the field. One way or the other.

This is what happens when you run a bend but don't break defense and pair it with an offense that can't move the ball and give the defense a breather. Not a good combination at all. It's embarrassing.

 

[deanvogs]

I agree completely. The first half, the players showed they were way better but just couldn't quite put it together. The second half was classic kill the click and get to the next game. Part of me doesn't blame him for thinking that way because they did look extremely out matched. The majority of me thinks practice what you preach. If you tell your players all week not to underestimate them, maybe you shouldn't either.

Great point. I think KF does this a lot actually. He preaches attacking, but if you look at Iowa, when they get a lead they completely and totally STOP attacking. Also if you look at their game plan, he is a total hypocrite here as well. Do you think Daniels and Welsh sit out if they are cleared to play vs Wisconsin? No way, no how. The staff figured that we could win without them, totally underestimating NDSU.

 

[PCHawk]

Great point. I think KF does this a lot actually. He preaches attacking, but if you look at Iowa, when they get a lead they completely and totally STOP attacking. Also if you look at their game plan, he is a total hypocrite here as well. Do you think Daniels and Welsh sit out if they are cleared to play vs Wisconsin? No way, no how. The staff figured that we could win without them, totally underestimating NDSU.

What do you think the odds are we lose if those 2 guys play? I'm guessing that decision, even tho I kinda get it, cost us that game. You just can't lose your best two olinemen and pretend our rushing numbers didn't suffer from it.

 

[deanvogs]

What do you think the odds are we lose if those 2 guys play? I'm guessing that decision, even tho I kinda get it, cost us that game. You just can't lose your best two olinemen and pretend our rushing numbers didn't suffer from it.

15% chance maybe? NDSU wins that game 1 or 2 times out of 10 if we play our regular starters. Heck I think if we play that game 10 times total (5 at NDSU and 5 at Kinnick) I think NDSU wins 1 or 2 of them.

Just a guess, and really doesn't matter at all. They beat us 1 out of 1 time. They were the better team on Saturday, they didn't luck into that win, they just flat out beat us. It actually would have been a shame for them to lose that game, and lets say miss that FG with the way they played. I felt that way for Appy St. vs Tennessee. I don't think Appy St. is a better team than Tennessee, but they certainly were the better team the day they played them. Appy St. missed a kick, NDSU made a kick, and that was the difference between the two really.

 

[Bluesman]

The reality is that whenever Iowa has a bad loss we feel the sky is falling but the next day we gain perspective and realize there are more games to play and a chance to change the narrative on Iowa football.

They really can't change the narrative for the rest of the season. The fact that as the #13 team in the country they lost to an FCS team at home is a national story. The stink of this loss will stick on them for the remainder of this season, even if they play pretty well the rest of the way. "Yeah they won 9 games BUT they lost to an FCS team." That said, I don't think they'll win 9 games, I'd guess 6 or 7. Everything went right last year, just like it did in 2009. Last years team wasn't as good as their record would indicate. Anyone who has watched the first three games can see this isn't a particularly good team. Their two wins are against teams who are a combined 0-6 so far this season and one of those teams gave them a tussle before they put them away. You think they can't lose to Rutgers next week? I think it's very possible. In fact, I think they have the potential to lose every remaining game on the schedule. Now, I don't think they will but my point is they're not good enough to take any game for granted.

No, the narrative is already set in stone. This will always be the Iowa team that finally lost to an FCS team; that stink will never dissipate.

 

[PCHawk]

They really can't change the narrative for the rest of the season. The fact that as the #13 team in the country they lost to an FCS team at home is a national story. The stink of this loss will stick on them for the remainder of this season, even if they play pretty well the rest of the way. "Yeah they won 9 games BUT they lost to an FCS team." That said, I don't think they'll win 9 games, I'd guess 6 or 7. Everything went right last year, just like it did in 2009. Last years team wasn't as good as their record would indicate. Anyone who has watched the first three games can see this isn't a particularly good team. Their two wins are against teams who are a combined 0-6 so far this season and one of those teams gave them a tussle before they put them away. You think they can't lose to Rutgers next week? I think it's very possible. In fact, I think they have the potential to lose every remaining game on the schedule. Now, I don't think they will but my point is they're not good enough to take any game for granted.

No, the narrative is already set in stone. This will always be the Iowa team that finally lost to an FCS team; that stink will never dissipate.

The way I see it is it doesn't matter how good we are, as long as Kirk is coaching, it's never a given we will beat anyone. Because I know this, losing yesterday doesn't change my opinion on how good we are. I think we are a really good team who is capable of losing to anyone on any given week. Kirk could coach Alabama talent to some MAC level losses without breaking a sweat.

 

[PCHawk]

15% chance maybe? NDSU wins that game 1 or 2 times out of 10 if we play our regular starters. Heck I think if we play that game 10 times total (5 at NDSU and 5 at Kinnick) I think NDSU wins 1 or 2 of them.

Just a guess, and really doesn't matter at all. They beat us 1 out of 1 time. They were the better team on Saturday, they didn't luck into that win, they just flat out beat us. It actually would have been a shame for them to lose that game, and lets say miss that FG with the way they played. I felt that way for Appy St. vs Tennessee. I don't think Appy St. is a better team than Tennessee, but they certainly were the better team the day they played them. Appy St. missed a kick, NDSU made a kick, and that was the difference between the two really.

I agree. One or two losses in 10.

 

[PCHawk]

I also think we're really going to dodge a bulletwith getting a bad rap for this loss. They really seem like they care more about talking about North Dakota State being good than Iowa being bad.

 

[SpiderRico]

Since LeGrand and Render would have been 3rd string at best behind Blythe and Walsh last year, hard to argue that point. Not throwing those 2 under the bus, but we need Daniels and Welsh back. What does the D-line getting dominated have to do with Snyder? We didn't lose this game because anything Snyder did or didn't do. We got destroyed up front and on the edge. Yes, he's inexperienced, but he played a solid game and never got 'burnt' in coverage. Should your free safety be coming up and making all the tackles in the box? Taylor has more 'run support' responsibilities, but like I said after the MoO game, 'where was he'? And lastly, we are going to use the old 'blame Bower' fallback position, lol. Compare his and Fishers 'tape' through the first 3 games. Fisher is NOT way better than Bower...Listen, our D-line got smoked...we were horrible at setting the 'edge' ( you have to know who was 'supposed' to set the edge, before you can 'blame' it on anyone) and that can be spread around to a lot of people. I also didn't like the 'scheme' of having our Mike LB chasing the jet 'read' play. Left the middle really soft for inside runs, especially by the QB... And I always LOVE the ol 'a deep threat to respect', lol. They didn't respect our deep routes? They just let Smith and Vandeberg run freely deep down the field???, lol. Listen, they play VERY agressively with their LB's but pretty much played 2 high or soft cover 3 the whole game, thus keeping everthing in 'front' of them. They dared Iowa to beat them throwing under, under, under. There was plenty of room behind the LB's and in front of the safeties most of the game, and when they thrw there it was mostly open, but they kept trying to throw outs, etc...

Icke,

If you go back and watch the tape, a vast majority of NDSUs rushing plays were to the weak side. Who mans the weak side? Bower and Snyder. Bower was consistently getting blocked out of the play. Sometimes Josey was able to cover up for him by flying over to his side to make the tackle. More often than not, though, when Bower got taken out, it was left to Snyder to make the tackle and I can count at least two times (probably more) that he literally got trucked by the RB because he had absolutely awful technique and/or he's just not physical enough. It was just a comedy of errors the entire 2nd half and I can say with certainty that the two weak links in our rush defense right now are Bower and Snyder.