...once told me you' re never as good as you look when you dominate, and you're not as bad as you look when you get dominated. With that preface, some observations from Saturday:
---the downfield passing game that made this ISU offense so devastating last year was nowhere in sight. The play calling was conservative, the O-line did not do a good job protecting, and Sanders has to read the defense better and get the ball out quicker.
--The special teams remain a mess. Mike can call out the fans if he likes, but the repeated refusal to return punts is maddening. The kickoff coverage team got burned once, and almost gave up another long return. 30-yard punts are the norm. And we had the high snap on the punt that led to a field goal, despite a good stand by the defense.
--the offensive line lost Carey and Phillips to injury and Vazorka was already out for the season. The much ballyhooed depth will be tested.
--I like the defense, I think they have the potential to be pretty good. The younger players are going to have to get more time and grow throughout the season.
--the schedule is brutal, we all knew that coming in. So beating Portland was key. Now the Bengals go on the road until Oct. 17, and they will be underdogs in every game. This stretch will be a real test for the coaching staff and the character of the leaders on this team. I don't know if ISU can win any of these four games, but I am hopeful we see coaching adjustments and competitiveness from the players.
--it's amazing how the trolls and anti-Kramer types come out on this board after a loss. We see "posters" who have never been on the board before. Mike Kramer has been through all of this many times in his career. I have faith he'll keep the program moving forward. We all had high expectations coming in this season. Those expectations may not be met now, but the bigger challenge will be can the coaches and players keep improving as the season goes on.
---the downfield passing game that made this ISU offense so devastating last year was nowhere in sight. The play calling was conservative, the O-line did not do a good job protecting, and Sanders has to read the defense better and get the ball out quicker.
--The special teams remain a mess. Mike can call out the fans if he likes, but the repeated refusal to return punts is maddening. The kickoff coverage team got burned once, and almost gave up another long return. 30-yard punts are the norm. And we had the high snap on the punt that led to a field goal, despite a good stand by the defense.
--the offensive line lost Carey and Phillips to injury and Vazorka was already out for the season. The much ballyhooed depth will be tested.
--I like the defense, I think they have the potential to be pretty good. The younger players are going to have to get more time and grow throughout the season.
--the schedule is brutal, we all knew that coming in. So beating Portland was key. Now the Bengals go on the road until Oct. 17, and they will be underdogs in every game. This stretch will be a real test for the coaching staff and the character of the leaders on this team. I don't know if ISU can win any of these four games, but I am hopeful we see coaching adjustments and competitiveness from the players.
--it's amazing how the trolls and anti-Kramer types come out on this board after a loss. We see "posters" who have never been on the board before. Mike Kramer has been through all of this many times in his career. I have faith he'll keep the program moving forward. We all had high expectations coming in this season. Those expectations may not be met now, but the bigger challenge will be can the coaches and players keep improving as the season goes on.