Speed is Paramount in Today's Game of College Football

How can one explain the Iowa State football team's poor won-lost record? Speed, or the lack thereof. Think back to the large number of 'almosts' during this past season. The number of times the defense almost sacked the opposing quarterback; the number of times the defense almost tackled the opposing running back; the number of times the defense almost intercepted a pass, or made a play on the opposing pass receiver; the number of times of almost winning the game. Yes, this season can be defined by the number of almost made plays; particularly with the defense.

If our players were another step, or two quicker to the play, these 'almosts' would have been 'realities'. If the team made even half of these almost made plays, this season turns around, and those close losses become victories. We'd be talking about going to a bowl game this year instead of scratching our heads and wondering what went wrong. Yes, just being a step, or two faster makes all the difference in the world in college football today.

So, what does this realization portend for our beloved Cyclone football team? From what I've read and heard about who's on red shirt this year, and about the incoming recruiting class, our team will get a major upgrade in speed next season. Even though the team will be young again, having the speed to close upon opposing players will make up for many mistakes young players make. I foresee a major reduction in the number of 'Big Plays' made against the defense and more consistency on offense. Five victories would not be out of the question for next season with maybe a bowl game in sight if the team gets its share of lucky breaks. Won't that be a turnaround for the ages.

What a Long Season for My Cyclones

Well, here we are approaching the last game of the 2008 football season. Who'd a thunk our team would have only two wins by now and not favored to win on the road this Saturday. Not me, no, I felt this team was good enough for at least three wins by now and favored to win their fourth. I know our team is loaded with sophomores and freshmen, but I thought the talent was there not to finish as the worst team in the Big12 Conference. I'm not going to get down on the coaching staff, yet. But, there needs to be a definite improvement on the won-lost record next year, or I will question the AD's decision to hire a new football team head coach when one was in place that had success in the past. If there is any improvement from last year's team, it certainly is not reflected in the won-lost record. We'll see next year how Coach Chizik and staff work things out for a better won-lost record. BTW, in an unfortunate circumstance for my Cyclones, the Big12 is the best football conference in the country this year. I'm sure that fact played a large role in the Cyclone's weak record this year.

925

Dr. Alan Murdoch, Head Coach of Iowa State University's Men's Ice Hockey team, posted his 925th victory last Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Arizona State. This win ties Dr. Al with former Michigan State coach Ron Mason for the most wins in American College Hockey all time and he's accomplished this feat coaching the same team for forty years.
(http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2008/11/08/sports/hockey/doc491541beb6d34397723194.txt)

In this age of big business sports, coaching forty years with the same team on any level is more than remarkable. I'm sure if Dr. Al wanted, he could have been a head coach at any of the more prominent NCAA ice hockey programs. Instead, he chose to stay with an ISU club team (www.cyclonehockey.com), founding the American College Hockey Association (ACHA, www.achahockey.com) and traveling the State of Iowa and the country helping to establish youth hockey nationwide under the control of USA Hockey (www.usahockey.com). Talk about loyalty to a cause. If such loyalty was a commodity, Dr. Al would be rich beyond his wildest dreams.

Since my youngest son started playing hockey about a year and a half ago, I've become a fan of amateur hockey. If you're in the Ames/Des Moines area, Come up to the Ames/ISU Ice Arena and check out a men's hockey game. The cost is $8.00 per adult. $6.00 per student and $4.00 per child under six; and the concessions are relatively cheap as well. You can't beat that entertainment deal with a ball bat. My cousin from the Chicago area, a Chicago hockey fan, took in a game while visiting and was impressed with the quality of play and the number of fans in attendance at the arena. If she can have fun there, so can you.

BTW, check out an amateur hockey game in your area. Whether it's youth, or college, you're guaranteed to have fun family entertainment.

The Cubs and the Big Choke

Cough, hack, wheeze, gasp; this is my imitation of the Chicago Cubs during this year's MLB playoffs. How is it that a team who did as well as the Cubs during the regular season be downright wimps in the post-season? As a number of teachers have said to me over the years: It's all between the ears. Lou, you may want to get your PhD in Psychology as these Cubs are in need of some serious counseling. I hope Jim Hendry is able to keep this team together for next year as they played very well except for a stretch at the end of the year. Perhaps this recent experience will instill some mental toughness and, together, the Chicago Cubs advance through the playoffs and get to the World Series.

A Disappointing Young Cyclone Football Team.

The Iowa State Cyclone football team is in grave danger of having a record of 2 wins and 12 losses. The game against Okie State isn't going well for them at this time, but I didn't expect it to. I don't think Gene Chizik fully realized what challenges he would have to overcome to get ISU back to the top of the Big12 North Division. I know he's not accustomed to losing a double digit number of games during one season and I worry how he might not want to stick around for losing so much. I also know he's not as experienced in rebuilding football programs as Dan McCarney. Even so, this football program is way ahead now as compared to the time when Coach McCarney took over as Head Coach. When Coach Chizik figures out how to fully communicate what he expects from his football team and the team starts believing in his philosophy, ISU will go back to winning ways and having regular appearances to bowl games once more.