Iowa State-Texas Preview

by Scipio Tex on Oct 19, 2010 3:55 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Football

We're not good enough to Sharpie in a win against anyone yet, but you have to like our momentum coming out of Lincoln while Iowa State is reeling from consecutive blowout losses to Utah (68-27) and OU (52-0) after an early season debacle against Iowa (35-7).

Iowa State's apogee this year was a 52-38 whipping of Texas Tech in Ames, but other than that performance, the Cyclones have looked a lot like the 3-4 team that they are.

Bottom line: we need a confidence boosting win and an opportunity to find more of our offensive identity before RGIII comes to town with the 700 Club.

I'll warn you now that Iowa State is the team I know least about in the league, so if you have corrections, bring them on.

Defense

Head coach Paul Rhoads is a highly respected defensive mind, his post game speeches are a Hallmark commercial, he owns Nebraska in Lincoln like we do, but his medulla oblongata can't pad up on Saturdays. He has a Jimmy and Joe problem. Also a Ter'Ran and Rashawn problem.

Iowa State's defense has been miserable however you cut it. Take a look at Huckleberry's Adjusted Statistics. Allowing 32.9 ppg just scratches the surface.

The only thing they've done reasonably well is force turnovers, but their rankings range from 70-113 in the other factors that win games (pass efficiency defense, rushing defense, sacks, number of white starters). They're not that big and they make up for it by being a step slow. Alternatively known as "Scipio's High School Football Career." They're surrendering 5.1 yards per carry and allowing 7.6 yards per attempt. Like the barfly tramp, just run some kind of a play without setting yourself on fire lighting her cigarette and you're likely to score.

Small group across the front 4 averaging just under 6-2 with weights going 245-280-280-250. I don't mind small and lightning quick but they're more like lightning dipped in molasses wearing a child tether. Pass rush has been an issue for Iowa State and the entire team has totaled 6 sacks in 7 games. That's not getting it done and Gilbert should have a clean pocket from which to skewer Iowa State with a diabolical mix of four yard completions.

This is the strength of the defense, at least in terms of productivity. MLB AJ Klein and WLB Jake "Forget Me" Knott have each grabbed three interceptions this year and Klein is 2nd in the league with 75 tackles. Knott isn't far behind with 71. They both go 240 and they can play. The third LB is essentially a glorified nickel, checking in at 205. His name is Matt Morton and he moved into the starting line up early in the year. Matt is a Pisces and his turn-ons are cold winters and ethanol subsidies. Matt really likes to be around positive people. Yes - I googled Matt Morton and all I got was his Match.com profile.

The secondary was thought to be a team strength coming in, but it hasn't panned out that way with no pass rush. These guys are all squatty and physical (like Mickey Rooney) and they will hit you. Sims and Johnson particularly.

CB Ter'Ran Benton had 12 tackles against Oklahoma, which is pretty outstanding for a CB, until you consider that in order to make 12 tackles against Oklahoma you had to give up 12 completions in front of you. Given that Landry Jones was 30 of 34, he spent 40% of his time picking on Ter'Ran.

Ter'Ran so far away?

Leonard Johnson is the other corner and he has a reputation as a highly talented knucklehead. Excellent kick returner. He also did this, which is kind of cool, if a bit cheap:

S David Sims is, at 5-9 205, a game tackler in a stubby package (2009 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year). The other safety spot appears to be a rotating blur of Caucasians. Yes, you can use that for your Fantasy Football team name.

Offense

Lots of zone read, traditional spread with a fairly mobile QB. This group should be better than it is given their experience at key positions and returning starters and I don't get the disconnect.

(Borat voice) THEY ARE VERY FAT! (Borat voice)

These guys average 316 across the board, that weight brought down by a RT who weighs a svelte 290. LT Kelechi Osemele was 2nd All Big 12 last year and I have zero idea if that was deserved or not. It's Iowa State. You can't expect me to know all of this shit. These guys are big, but don't seem overly gifted with quickness or athletic ability and I expect to see them struggle in pure passing situations against our speed. They are very experienced - combining 85 career starts from LT to C.

In games against OU, Iowa, Utah, Alexander Robinson totaled 132 yards. That's partly a function of falling behind, but he hasn't produced against higher quality teams. He was a 1195 yard rusher last year, but he's just a guy if Alex Okafor continues his improvement inside and can hold up against the big boys. Robinson is a physical slasher who can hit you for 6-7 yards at a time when he gets some daylight - he's unlikely to break the big run.

Arnaud has been Iowa State's starting QB for eleven years, exploiting a little known NCAA loophole for Des Moines natives under the Minorities Living In Very Bleak Places Act. He is a solid running threat at QB and does most of his damage on zone read, QB draws, and scrambles. He's big and agile, though not necessarily fast. Think Kevin Prince with the ability to throw a spiral. He has been a starter forever, but this year he hasn't really shown much spark, partly because Iowa State has little ability to go vertical, partly because they've surrendered 16 sacks so far despite Arnaud's scrambling. Right now he's 186-108-1060-8-7 with a season long pass of only 36 yards. Sounds sort of familiar, doesn't it? With no ability to threaten downfield, Iowa State is going to have to rely on our mistakes to do anything on offense.

WR/TE

A bad unit, rivaling our own. Iowa State does have a TE though in Collin Franklin and he leads the team in receptions and yardage at 31-313. I expect Arnaud to hit him on play action 4 times for 40 yards. What else you got? They also throw to Robinson out of the backfield quite a bit. Basically, this is a WR corps every bit as disappointing as our own and I expect a rude awakening for them on Saturday morning.

Overall

Iowa State's has little potential to score more than 10 points if we keep it clean on offense and special teams and our defense doesn't surrender anything early while we're still waking up (11:00am kickoffs are evil).

I'm most curious to see what we do on offense and if we can continue some of the good habits we built in Lincoln in terms of game planning, showing different looks, and adopting a game specific set of tactics instead of generic one-size-fits-all bullshit. This would be a great time to renew Gilbert's confidence in the passing game as well as integrate Mike Davis and Darius White into the mix along with the misdirection play mix we saw in Lincoln. If we shell up again rather than work to develop our players, I'm pretty sure I'll just throw my hands up. And my breakfast.

Vegas has us -20.5 and I'd be disappointed to see us not cover that.

Tweet Comment 46 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

“if we can continue some of the good habits we built in Lincoln in terms of game planning”

One time does not a habit make.
Do it one more time and then let’s talk about it.

by LurkerintheDark on Oct 19, 2010 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

I have grown to enjoy 11:00 kickoffs. Bloody mary’s at 9:00 are fun, and so is getting home in time to watch some of the afternoon games and all of the evening ones.

by nordberg on Oct 19, 2010 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

So we spend Saturday meeting Mohammed, Jugdish, Sidney and Clayton, and helping ourselves to punch and cookies?

Well OK, then.

by spider on Oct 19, 2010 4:04 PM CDT reply actions

I’m at home for this one, check that, I’ll be watching from someone else’s home because Fox and Dish Network can’t agree on who gets to be the car in Monopoly.

Maybe srr50 can enlighten me – do I call Fox to complain, do I call Dish to complain, do I call both, do I call neither and save myself some time?

by uthookem on Oct 19, 2010 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

“…they’re more like lightning dipped in molasses wearing a child tether”

That’s just a dandy word picture!

by dasmithjones on Oct 19, 2010 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

The early start (this time) makes it reasonable for us to attend. Just sayin’.

by Bob in Houston on Oct 19, 2010 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

I’m a little perturbed with the wasted RS on Darius White to this point. We’re obviously going to be depending on him some next year, so throw some routes where his involvement is guaranteed, like Mike D.’s first ever catch against Wyoming. Or how about a freaking slant?

Oh, and yeah, reps to Mike D. would be more than welcomed. I’m expecting 250 + on the passing yards.

11 a.m. starts are proof that terrorists play a part in scheduling.

by magnusbleuveigner on Oct 19, 2010 4:36 PM CDT reply actions

I’m still in wait and see mode, so I look for a game much like Rice and Wyoming. Give me 31-13 for the Horns.

by CS on Oct 19, 2010 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

“dipped in molasses wearing a child tether”

Best night of my life.

by Woody Bombay on Oct 19, 2010 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

“Matt is a Pisces and his turn-ons are cold winters and ethanol subsidies.”

fanfuckingtastic

by ACE on Oct 19, 2010 6:50 PM CDT reply actions

Shontre Johnson is the one to look out for. He’s a scatback who can get lost in a crowd and all of a sudden is twenty yards down the field. Returns the ball well too.

by parlin on Oct 19, 2010 6:54 PM CDT reply actions

stop complaining, 11am central time starts are even worse for those of us who live in the western time zone. oh well, looks like i will just have to move my first bloody mary back to 7am to keep up.

by dlonghorns on Oct 19, 2010 7:11 PM CDT reply actions

wrong morton idiot… not sure if you know how to use google, but if you need help with spelling it will give you suggestions.

If you want information on the players, listen to their interviews or read the information in the papers.

It is bad enough these guys are working hard to get past these two games without idiots posting lies about them.

by isu real fan on Oct 19, 2010 7:30 PM CDT reply actions

isu real fan -

You’re a sharp dude. I pray other Cyclones can come and witness you repping their degree.

by Scipio Tex on Oct 19, 2010 7:37 PM CDT reply actions

Don’t know why all these candyasses complaining bout 11:00 AM start….me be workin on a “Sundowner” in Tunis listening to Kern Tips. Enuff said.

by Goober Hoedecker on Oct 19, 2010 7:40 PM CDT reply actions

"dipped in molasses wearing a child tether"

Best night of my life.

You, too? The black leather tether? It was Mistress Kimberly, wasn’t it? 6’2", curly red hair? Turned out to be an Ayer Frawnce stew? Did she show you the secret room in the Louvre?

by Tex Long on Oct 19, 2010 7:53 PM CDT reply actions

I don’t know whether to make fun of isu real fan for apparently have the world’s least developed sense of humor or congratulate him for his subtle and very meta use of irony.

Since he’s likely from the midwest I’ll go for option 1

by Bob on Oct 19, 2010 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

Scip-

Why’s he callin you Morton? Have i missed a great inside joke?

Also does he really expect anyone to put the time and effort into listening to ISU player interviews?

by UT wildcatter on Oct 19, 2010 8:11 PM CDT reply actions

I hope the Longhorns don’t mail it in as badly as you did on this preview, otherwise, it could get NU-ISU 2009 levels nasty

by ThatGuyAtTheParty on Oct 19, 2010 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

ISU is at a significant talent disadvantage and will need 5-7 turnovers from UT to remain in the game.

by quigley on Oct 19, 2010 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

A friend of mine last year went to Ames and said there O line looked like a group of Midwestern bartenders, but they rolled Baylor’s line like Cooke dough. If you piss off Iowa State they’ll give you a tough game. If they are not motivated then they will give you an easy game and later they’ll give the Ames police a tough game.

by Orange River on Oct 19, 2010 9:43 PM CDT reply actions

It’s a good thing we don’t have Baylor’s line.

by Bob on Oct 19, 2010 9:47 PM CDT reply actions

No reference to Arnaud being in the same signing class as Dexter Green or Troy Davis?

by Davey O'Brien on Oct 19, 2010 9:58 PM CDT reply actions

I’ve never met an Iowa State fan. Do they exist in real life or just on the Internet?

by Vasherized on Oct 19, 2010 10:11 PM CDT reply actions

… Wtf ISU real fan? If Scipio got the wrong Morton, what’s the real Morton’s sign and turn-ons?

by Canuck Horn on Oct 19, 2010 11:08 PM CDT reply actions

The film of the ISU late hit was interesting for the display of the UNLV players’ reaction when their QB was the victim of the late hit. I would have liked to have seen some of that by the Horns when ATM took out McCoy a few years back.

by Branyon on Oct 19, 2010 11:38 PM CDT reply actions

I’ll step up and admit that I am an ISU fan (parents went there and I grew up watching an endless parade of beatdowns) Unfortunately this preview is generally on, particularly regarding Rhoads’ high ability and the corresponding want of same on the defense.

Scip, you should know Arnaud has been banged up with a shoulder problem all season and is no longer a threat to run, even on the zone read. Why they still run it occasionally is beyond me. Other than a gutty game against Tech, he has significantly regressed this year and it explains ISU’s offensive woes. The backup QB Tiller is likely to get significant snaps as part of the gameplan.

To their credit, they have beaten some “Top 70” teams in Tech and N. Illinois, but have pled nolo contedere against Iowa, Utah and OU, and I would be surprised if they lost by less than 28.

by Ojnab Bob on Oct 20, 2010 12:00 AM CDT reply actions

ISU Real fan —

I didn’t realize Texas was going up against a Spanish soccer team.

Scipio, every Cyclops fan knows that Matt Morton’s turn-ons include biodiesel subsidies, not ethanol. Don’t get him started on the algae-based stuff. Jeez, don’t you know how to read the information in the papers?

by Lark 47 on Oct 20, 2010 3:15 AM CDT reply actions

That Leonard Johnson hit in the end zone is the tits. I don’t know why I laugh at it so hard because I sure as hell don’t want him doing that to one of our guys.

But I agree, it’s kind of cool in a weird way. The very definition of, “get your licks in!”

by Johnnymac on Oct 20, 2010 7:55 AM CDT reply actions

I had a layover in Omaha once and saw a dude walking around in an Iowa State shirt. That was my one encounter.

by shockthenation on Oct 20, 2010 9:52 AM CDT reply actions

Vasher: We do exist, but just scattered sporadically throughout the Midwest. Living between the knuckledraggers in Lincoln and the mouthbreathers in Iowa City, we deal with way more than just shitty sports teams.

Texas should win by 4 TDs but if they overlook ISU they’ll get an unexpected battle. The Hangover from last week’s win better be over.

ISU’s D is scrappy and causes turnovers. If Davis simply works the running game first, the Clones won’t have a leg to stand on. Get too fancy and turn it over and that will give ISU enough hope to keep battling.

Also, depending on what ISU Offense shows up, it could be a 35 point blowout or within 2 TDs.

by Swampfox on Oct 20, 2010 10:32 AM CDT reply actions

Ter’Ran Ter’Ran is underrated. “Hungry Like a Wolf” is awesome.

by BEHorn on Oct 20, 2010 10:49 AM CDT reply actions

On Ter’Ran Ter’Ran:

I just hope none of our receivers get flagged like our defensive backs do when they Re-flex in his face after the play.

BTW, I don’t think we’ll need to play lights out to win Saturday, because (wait for it) there’s a full moon on Monday.

by LongHornedFrog on Oct 20, 2010 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

ISU Real Fan is down right ornery cuz Pa made him take his clothes off and run backwards through the cornfield again.

by The Republic on Oct 20, 2010 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

Swampfox is right. This could be a real trap game if Texas is looking ahead to Baylor.

by Magnificent Bastard on Oct 20, 2010 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Gilbert should have a clean pocket from which to skewer Iowa State with a diabolical mix of four yard completions.

Don’t you know you’re tempting GD GD into going back to calling for the side-to-side passes which go for either no gain or a loss?

by Joetx on Oct 20, 2010 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

You should have just re-posted the 2009 State of the Union (the definitive writing on Iowa State football since Al Gore re-invented the Internet) and changed a few names/numbers/opponents.

Besides, they only have a few fans with Internet access to point out any inaccuracies.

by Vasherized on Oct 20, 2010 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

by ACE on Oct 20, 2010 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

Looks like Donovan McNabb’s gay cousin.

by Vasherized on Oct 20, 2010 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

I imagine ISU player interviews being played back on and old-school gramophone with the RCA dog listening quizically.

by nobis60 on Oct 20, 2010 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

Also, ‘Nolo Contendre’ would be the best name possible for a bad law school intramural team.

by nobis60 on Oct 20, 2010 5:42 PM CDT reply actions

What ever happened to the 2010 State of the Unions? I planned my fall around that.

by Swampfox on Oct 21, 2010 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

Nobis60:

I played on a law league team called “Diminished Capacity” but “Nolo” would have been more accurate.

by LongHornedFrog on Oct 21, 2010 8:49 AM CDT reply actions

WR/TE

A bad unit, rivaling our own.

Very few WR units with the base talent of our core (that being Adams, Williams and Goodwin…ignoring all of the tremendous talent that never came to pass). Must be coaching. Why no calls for Kennedy’s head. Todd Dodge is now available. And in town this weekend I hear. NO BRAINER!

by 3gentxn on Oct 21, 2010 6:30 PM CDT reply actions

This is my favorite game of the season.

by Bill Paxton from Twister on Oct 22, 2010 9:39 PM CDT reply actions

Nowadays, I’m planning to speak to you about an fascinating type of linen: white linen pants for men. Now I’m gonna offer you a short, but fictional background of this interesting kind of cloth. From ages long back, white linen pants have been the craze globally. In Ancient Rome, the emperor Nero would dance about his villa even though wearing his white linen pants, rehearsing the lyrics to Michael Jackson’s "Beat it".

by white linen pants for men on Oct 28, 2011 12:43 AM CDT reply actions