After going 13-42 in his first 5 years, Dan McCarney went on a streak of 25-15 in his next 40 including 2-0 to open 2003. It was an injury-plagued 2003 team and they dropped their last 10 games being outgained in B12 play by an amazing 261.7 ypg and outscored by 34 ppg (worst in the B12). ISU got as high as #9 in 2002 when they were 6-1 but went on a 3-15 stretch. In 2004 I picked them ahead of a Nebraska squad in the B12 North standings despite the fact that NU finished 10-3 in 2003. ISU did not disappoint me and very nearly took home the undisputed B12 North Title, if not for a missed FG vs Missouri in an OT loss. Last year they were a stronger, more confident team with excellent skill players and did not have to face either Okla or Texas. I called for them to make their 5th bowl game in the last 6 years. Much like 2004, ISU had the B12 North Title in its grasp but lost its season finale vs Kansas and finished in a 3-way tie for second. After improving their ypg mark vs B12 foes to -32.9 in 2004, they were +31.4 ypg which was the best mark in the B12 North. They knocked off #8 Iowa at home in front of 54,290 (largest crowd since they reconfigured the stadium in '96). They did have 3 net close losses (see Hardcore). After a disappointing 0-3 start to the Big 12 season including OT losses to Nebraska and Missouri, the Cyclones rebounded.They won their next4conf games by an avg of 24.3 ppg including a stunning 42-14 win over A&M in College Station. After dropping the Kansas game which would have given them the B12 North Title, they also lost the bowl to TCU by 3. They did benefit from +14 in turnovers which was their 3rd time in the last 5 years where they had + double digit TO's. They have gone 95 years without an outright league title and also this year their B12 schedule gets tougher as the Cyclones trade Texas A&M, Okla St and Baylor (6-18 in B12 in '05) for Texas, TTech and Oklahoma (20-4 in B12). Despite having a young OL and injury-plagued RB's, the Cyclones managed 28.3 ppg, their best total in three years. This year, with 10 starters back, including an improved 0-line and one of the best sets of skill players in the B12, they should have the most potent pffense of the McCarney era with the previous high ppg being 28.9 in 2002. Last year's defense was special as they allowed just 19.2 ppg, their best since 1980. This year just 4 starters return and they lose 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 who were 1 st or 2nd Tm B12. Naturally the defense looks weaker this season. Despite the negatives, the Cyclones are capable of getting to another bowl.
|
