I don't like feeling good after a loss, but today might be the day for that. I honestly thought that State had absolutely no chance, whatsoever, at a win today. However, one of the worst defenses in the conference stood up to national passing efficiency leader Sam Bradford and a stout OU rush game and held them over thirty points below their season average.
There's some things that really pained me about today's game.
First of all, games like today make it all the more frustrating when we have games like last week. Despite being on the short end of the talent stick, we can hang with anyone. Oklahoma is one of the best teams in the nation.
The kicking game is quite pitiful, and I really hope any possible Iowa State kicker recruits were watching. The level of confidence in Culbertson has to be nearing zero.
Our red zone offense is one of the most pitiful in the nation. We might have 3 wins if it was at all possible for us to get a touchdown when we get inside the opponent's twenty yard line.
On the other hand, though, we did lose to Oklahoma by just 10. Our fans filled the stadium again, which had to impress any recruits at the game. We also saw some emotion from Chizik before the half, as he literally blew a gasket arguing over the clock issue.
Again, moral victories are one thing - you don't want to depend on them, but today has to be taken as a positive. The effort we saw today will win us games this year. We can win next week at Missouri if we can play like we did today.
To close, here's some comments from the Open Thread at SMQ. Believe it or not, Cyclone fans, other people are pulling for you. They think our crowd is mighty impressive as well.
Oklahoma
Seems to be spotting Iowa State's defense the first two downs.
by Boy Howdy on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:26:24 PM EDT
Oklahoma
Is Chizek using his 2005 gameplan to slow down Oklahoma?How bad has IA St been this year, yet they have held OK scoreless through 1.25 quarters?
by CardsFan922 on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:28:34 PM EDT
ISU
I don't know if it's the way FSN is doing the mics or what, but that Cyclone crowd sounds like they're going insane.Aaaand they just stopped OU on 4th down. Keep the crowd in it, ISU...
by Jack on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:30:03 PM EDT
Was just noticing this
The crowd is screaming on every play!You have to hand it to them -- that team has been awful this year.
Emotion and coaching = the great equalizers.
Usually you worry about your linemen wearing down as the game goes on. the question here is, can the fans? We're going to need them in the 4th Quarter.
by CardsFan922 on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:33:48 PM EDT
Iowa State
I'm going to be listening to this while I make a fairly elaborate sandwich. It's just one of those fired up/sleepwalk games, I guess. ISU looks like it's doing speed sweeps and that kind of thing, diving for first downs, and the ISU crowd is way in it right now. You know, Bret Meyer has been a competent quarterback in the past.
by SMQ on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:32:47 PM EDT
Good Lord
What a shanked field goal by Iowa State. I think it may have ended up in the corner stands.by Year2 on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 01:44:09 PM EDT
And
a good drive at midfield was just wrecked by a sack all the way back at the OU 45....then again, never underestimate ISU's ability to miss a tackle. Gresham should have been hit for 8 or 10 yards, he winds up running for another 20 and a first down.by SMQ on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 03:04:39 PM EDT
ISU has to tie it here
I don't think they can count on being in this position to score a touchdown again...and, of course, it's picked by OU in the end zone. That guy Lofton for Oklahoma is a player. Second great scoring chance ISU has come up empty.by SMQ on Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 03:36:36 PM EDT
People like pulling for us. My favorite comment was "The crowd is screaming on every play!" Well, yeah. Why wouldn't we?