On PTI (Pardon the Interruption) 10/12
Wilbon: Today is Columbus Day Tony. In your opinion what is the worst holiday in America?
Tony: Well Wilbon I'm going to tell you. It's in St. Louis and its called Matt Holliday.
Maybe you had to watch it live but it was hilarious.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Cyclones Playing in December?
Basketball season is right around the corner, but the question that remains is if the football team will join the basketball team competing in December. The Cyclones are possibly a blocked PAT and another missed PAT and another missed PAT AND a botched field goal attempt from being 5-1. That is a bad case of playing the "What If?" game, but truth be told those are the mistakes keeping them from a 5-1 start and a chance to clinch a bowl berth this upcoming Saturday. Standing at 3-3, the Cyclones need to finish 3-3 to go bowling. With that being said there is not a guarantee they will get an invite although I have a hard time believing they wouldn't at least go to the Mediocrity Bowl and play the likes of a 6-6 Navy team or another mid-major. This is what I saw on Saturday.
The Good:
The offense looked great. Herman was in a zone and a rhythm calling plays and this was due in large part to Austen Arnaud making accurate throws. I don't know the last time I have watched an ISU game and seriously thought that ISU would score every time they touched the ball. Alexander Robinson is a great back and could be looking at some Big XII postseason honors if he continues to put up performances like he did Saturday (152 yds rushing, 52 receiving, 2 TD). Hopefully he can keep playing through his pulled groin, because he is the key to ISU's success. Arnaud had that level of confidence back that he showed toward the end of last year. It is his 3rd offensive system in 4 years and he appears to be settling into this one after a mediocre, at best, week last week. If Herman and the Cyclone offense really are starting to hit their stride, ISU could pull out 3 more victories. KU's defense isn't that good, but when you put up over 500 total yards of offense I don't care who you are playing, that is impressive.
The Bad:
The defense struggled again. This really was no surprise. To be honest, the Cyclones can survive with the defense residing in this portion of the post-game comments. Kansas has a stellar offense with an excellent QB and talented WR's. ISU's defense was opportunistic, forcing punts at crucial times. The back-breaker was giving up a TD drive with 2 min left in the 1st half to make it 20-12. If there are any positives to take from a an effort that yielded 41 points it would be the effort in getting KU off the field after ISU made it 41-36 with 2 min left, giving the offense a chance to win the game. The DB's still are taking horrible angles to the ball and flat out getting beat. They aren't helped out at all by a lack of a pass rush.
The Ugly:
The special teams once again cost ISU a Big XII victory. It is common occurrence now for ISU to have a horrible kicking game. ISU has a great punter and their kick coverage units have been doing a very solid job. There is no excuse for missed/blocked PAT's or mishandled holds. ISU needs to win a close game like this to get this turnaround going in the right direction. They are knocking at the door, but their kicking game is keeping them from opening it. ISU has now lost out on two appearances in the Big XII title game and most recently a chance at a road upset because they can't kick the ball through the uprights from 30 yards and under.
Rest of the year:
John Walters said over the air that he doesn't think there is a game left on the schedule that ISU can't win. I tend to agree with this statement, although I think its much more accurate to say there isn't a game left on the schedule that ISU can't lose for themselves. Getting three more wins will be tough-making the recent close losses that much tougher. Saturday is a must win for the psyche of the club. I just hope the players sense how close they are and don't throw in the towel this early in the year.
Pessimistic Prediction:
Baylor-L, @Neb-L, @TAMU-L, OK St-L, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Realistic Prediction:
Baylor-W, @Neb-L, @TAMU-L, Ok St-L, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Optimistic Prediction
Baylor-W, @Neb-L, @TAMU-TU, OkSt- TU, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Sun Bowl vs Arizona
If Dez Bryant is out for the year I could see ISU beating either TAMU on the road or beating the Cowboys at home. None of that will matter if ISU doesn't win on Saturday. I agree with Walters if the offense keeps it up there isn't a game left on the schedule that ISU can't win.
The Good:
The offense looked great. Herman was in a zone and a rhythm calling plays and this was due in large part to Austen Arnaud making accurate throws. I don't know the last time I have watched an ISU game and seriously thought that ISU would score every time they touched the ball. Alexander Robinson is a great back and could be looking at some Big XII postseason honors if he continues to put up performances like he did Saturday (152 yds rushing, 52 receiving, 2 TD). Hopefully he can keep playing through his pulled groin, because he is the key to ISU's success. Arnaud had that level of confidence back that he showed toward the end of last year. It is his 3rd offensive system in 4 years and he appears to be settling into this one after a mediocre, at best, week last week. If Herman and the Cyclone offense really are starting to hit their stride, ISU could pull out 3 more victories. KU's defense isn't that good, but when you put up over 500 total yards of offense I don't care who you are playing, that is impressive.
The Bad:
The defense struggled again. This really was no surprise. To be honest, the Cyclones can survive with the defense residing in this portion of the post-game comments. Kansas has a stellar offense with an excellent QB and talented WR's. ISU's defense was opportunistic, forcing punts at crucial times. The back-breaker was giving up a TD drive with 2 min left in the 1st half to make it 20-12. If there are any positives to take from a an effort that yielded 41 points it would be the effort in getting KU off the field after ISU made it 41-36 with 2 min left, giving the offense a chance to win the game. The DB's still are taking horrible angles to the ball and flat out getting beat. They aren't helped out at all by a lack of a pass rush.
The Ugly:
The special teams once again cost ISU a Big XII victory. It is common occurrence now for ISU to have a horrible kicking game. ISU has a great punter and their kick coverage units have been doing a very solid job. There is no excuse for missed/blocked PAT's or mishandled holds. ISU needs to win a close game like this to get this turnaround going in the right direction. They are knocking at the door, but their kicking game is keeping them from opening it. ISU has now lost out on two appearances in the Big XII title game and most recently a chance at a road upset because they can't kick the ball through the uprights from 30 yards and under.
Rest of the year:
John Walters said over the air that he doesn't think there is a game left on the schedule that ISU can't win. I tend to agree with this statement, although I think its much more accurate to say there isn't a game left on the schedule that ISU can't lose for themselves. Getting three more wins will be tough-making the recent close losses that much tougher. Saturday is a must win for the psyche of the club. I just hope the players sense how close they are and don't throw in the towel this early in the year.
Pessimistic Prediction:
Baylor-L, @Neb-L, @TAMU-L, OK St-L, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Realistic Prediction:
Baylor-W, @Neb-L, @TAMU-L, Ok St-L, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Optimistic Prediction
Baylor-W, @Neb-L, @TAMU-TU, OkSt- TU, Colorado-W, @Mizzou-L
Sun Bowl vs Arizona
If Dez Bryant is out for the year I could see ISU beating either TAMU on the road or beating the Cowboys at home. None of that will matter if ISU doesn't win on Saturday. I agree with Walters if the offense keeps it up there isn't a game left on the schedule that ISU can't win.
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