I think Iowa state is in a class of their own when it comes traveling to away games in this conference. It’s impressive
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When any stadium is full, there is always a great deal of excitement. Seeing a pic of Jack Trice Full change my perception of Jack Trice. I think that is the beauty of college towns. It’s the main attraction. It’s the main topic. Just what a college town should be.
From my side, (having attended Texas A&M in Bryan Station) as a Houstonian, I couldn’t wait to leave to get back to Houston. However, college towns will always have their luster. Almost everybody knows each other, traffic is an afterthought, Close groups are formed quickly, and pride in the local college ascends. I went to a small college (50,000) and enjoyed it. I had great fun and insights. However, I just returned from Houston from Arkansas and the hustle and views of the skyline again captured me along with the restuarants that serve food I cannot get in Arkansas. So, everyone has their loves. Houston captured mine in my youth. The traffic is horrible, parking a car not ideal, housing prices outrageous. With that said, living in Arkansas (350,000), I have no traffic, tennis courts are always available, as a state capital our medical centers are the best here, and neighbors are friendly like a small town. Like Ames, people are crazy for the razorbacks. So fun stuff to see. I can understand why people would appreciate the country lifestyle and find it superior. So I make no judgement other than my Houston and I hope all our BIG12 visitor take advantage of the restaurants, sites, sounds and entertainment that Houston offers.
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KSU (who we played in wet conditions), South Dakota, and Arkansas St are awful football teams. Iowa, probably the only mediocre (to potentially above average) opponent we’ve faced has an awful offense. These stats are utterly useless for assessing our defense and its capabilities.
A better barometer? Look at the stats of last years defense in conference play. I can save everyone time here as the unit (as a whole) as abysmal. The secondary was outstanding, but their efforts were often sabotaged by an ineffective line and leaky LB play. The front 3 couldnt get (even) occasional penetration, running lanes and pocket time were ample, and the LBs were comically bad.
On paper, the DL is weaker (no Onyedim), the secondary is weaker, while the LB core looked stronger. Thus far, against those pretty weak opponents, those assessments have held up. Unfortunately the DL looks even worse than last year while the LB core isnt improved enough to make up the difference. Thus far, our corners appear exceptional, but we (probably) arent quite as strong at safety. Im going to say “probably” as facing an all-time, collegiate great QB quad of Johnson, Gronowski, SD, and Arky State arent exactly capable of testing that unit.
Based on last years results, personnel, this years schedule, and the eye test, this looks to be a comparable unit. In other words? Its not a very good one, and it is likely the offense will have to score upper 20s to 30+ to beat at least 3 of our remaining opponents (something I think we have the personnel to accomplish…not quite sure we have the staff to scheme the talent efficiently).
Imagine that? Iowa State can and will pull ratings when given matchups and/or favorable tv slots.
Remmeber 2 plus years ago, when people said Okie St was the “brand” because of success and ratings? Take away the records and time slots and the numbers plummet…just like everyone else’s.
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“No see ems”. The internet will tell you they are a summer bug, but in Iowa they are the worst from September through the warmer parts of October.
Fall is the best season in Iowa (the midwest in general) but the one downside? The bugs. While mosquito populations wane, the no see ems, wasps/bees, box elder bugs, and Japanese beetles are out in full force.
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Yep, you have be a winner in Houston to get good crowds and that includes the pro teams or fans will find a thousand other things to do.
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Thus far the secondary had been largely unchallenged (opponent and QB quality). To your point, he did give up the big play which has me concerned. I tend to think the 2 back safeties will be weaker (in coverage) than what we had last year.
As for Neal I think he will be a MASSIVE upgrade from Beau Freyler, a player whose results and film never justified the praise in the organization. Freyler was a comically poor tackler, would make big mistakes in coverage, and took some of the poorest pursuit angles Ive seen on the field.
When he graduated it was addition by subtraction.
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Joel Klatt loves Utah. Isn’t a fan of BYU.
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Great crowd for a sorry team. Jealous.
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Didn’t realize ECU was ranked so highly. Good for BYU.
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Idk… I’ve seen y’all bring at least 10k to NRG stadium in Houston against the Coogs before… in the G5, too…
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Damn TCU… Y’all got a squad and got worst crowd of the week!!!
@EndlessPurple is my guy… but I will say I ran into some snotty ass Frogs at the UNC game when they saw me in my HOUSTON shirt.
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I was trying to be humble 
We had around 8k at ecu… I’m packing up today to go to Boulder for Saturday. I’ve heard that we should have 15-20k there
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I’ve never met a TCU fan I didn’t like. But I can say that about most fanbases.
BYU barely pulled 600 against ECu. Yikes. At least it was the evening espn2 slot…
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