We've survived the September cupcake feasting and finally get to see where the Bears stack up.
After watching all 3 of each teams games here's my thought:
1) we have to block McDonald he's a game changer and D-End and has been wrecking LTs all year
2) Know where Mike Rose is at all times ( arguably the best LB in the B12)
3) Be unpredictable on first down. We've ran on what id guess is 90% of the time on first down so far this year. That will not work Saturday (ISU is giving up I believe 1.9 YPC)
4) Get Gerry in a rhythm throwing early. Like I stated above this to me Is a game where Gerrys arm will be very important if we're going to win.
5) No TOs, this is a game where field position and the turnover battle will be huge keys
Defensively:
1) Make Purdy uncomfy early and often. Like I've mentioned in other threads he's a rhythm QB throw him off rhythm and he's going to make mistakes. Let him get into a rhythm and he's dangerous.
2) QB PRESSURE, we have struggled big time getting any pressure aside from blitzing Pitre. This is a game where guys like Franklin and Randolph need to get home
3) Contain Breece the beast. Hall is another clone that relies heavily on rhythm if he gets churning early he becomes increasingly harder to tackle as the game where's on. Slowing the run and putting ISU in passing downs takes Hall out of the game plan
4) Kolar/Hutchinson- One could argue Kolar is the best TE in the country and to an extent has been underused so far. We've got to pay close attention to him ( looking at you Doyle/Bernard) Hutchinson is their best WR by far Texada will has his hands full.

We do all or most of these things and we win. Despite their struggles with Iowa this will be a tough game. Looking forward to seeing where we stack up. I do believe this is a game where Gerrys going to have to throw 30 plus times for us to successfully move the ball. Wild guess here 24-20 Bears

Good assessment as always, IB.

Iowa St.'s defensive numbers are #1 in the Big 12 across the board, including giving up only 1.5 yards per carry. There's a high probability our running game will not be as potent as it's been against 3 weak D's. Now we will get to see the tactical adjustments by Grimes and on-field adjustments by Bohanon. That is what will decide this game.

I suspect this game will reveal our OL weakness and GB's limitations. Wouldn't mind at all being wrong

Freedomb3ar said:

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I suspect this game will reveal our OL weakness and GB's limitations. Wouldn't mind at all being wrong

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Both have looked light-years better than last year or before.

Bear8084 said:

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Freedomb3ar said:

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I suspect this game will reveal our OL weakness and GB's limitations. Wouldn't mind at all being wrong

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Both have looked light-years better than last year or before.

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Definitely. Hoping it's enough for this year vs having to wait another year or two

The concern I have is Grimes willingness to pass on first down. We've had success all season running on1st down albeit against very poor competition. The game plan cannot be "vanilla" like they keep saying. If it is will be in 3rd long all game long. If we're unpredictable and have ISU off balance I like our chances. If we come out with the mindset we're going to run 40-50 times we're probably taking an L

I know that ISU played at UNLV but I wonder how they will do with our crowd? Hopefully we have an energized group of fans that are loud.

Agree with the passing quite a bit on first down, even if it's a lot of short, mostly safe type passes. A 4 or 5 yard gain on 1st down is still a one play win regardless of how it happens and keeps the whole playbook open.

Yup, doesn't need to be bombarded away on first down but keeping them honest on the early downs will really help our offense.

Forecast high for Saturday is 88. Hopefully warm enough to fry those fat Midwest farm boys, but not so hot that shoes melt on the turf.

I think the game will come to to whether or not we get "good Brock" or "bad Brock." Even at this stage of his career he is inconsistent and does not always play his best. And this prediction is contingent on whether or not we continue to improve a bit ever week and do not digress to the level of play we showed against Texas State. I think the Bears will play well. It could be a good game.

What network is the game on?

Waco1947 said:

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What network is the game on?

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FOX

We only lost by about a TD last year. How much better is Iowa St this year compared to how much better we seem to be? Baylor 27-20.

In past years, Purdy did like to throw the ball to Baylor defenders. I fully expect it again. Jalen Pitre needs another & J T Woods needs to score again.

I'm interested to see how out running game measures up to the ISU rush defense. The most yards rushing they've given up so far this year is 67 against Iowa. We'll learn a lot about how good we are. I expect tough sledding in the run game and (as many have stated above) we'll need Bohanan to have a good passing game.

Those of you worried about our predictability on offense so far..we haven't unveiled half of our packages..for obvious reasons..we haven't needed to..

Given they were probably the only team in the conference to ***** about not having one, here you go.

&ct=g

IowaBear said:

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We've survived the September cupcake feasting and finally get to see where the Bears stack up.
After watching all 3 of each teams games here's my thought:
1) we have to block McDonald he's a game changer and D-End and has been wrecking LTs all year
2) Know where Mike Rose is at all times ( arguably the best LB in the B12)
3) Be unpredictable on first down. We've ran on what id guess is 90% of the time on first down so far this year. That will not work Saturday (ISU is giving up I believe 1.9 YPC)
4) Get Gerry in a rhythm throwing early. Like I stated above this to me Is a game where Gerrys arm will be very important if we're going to win.
5) No TOs, this is a game where field position and the turnover battle will be huge keys
Defensively:
1) Make Purdy uncomfy early and often. Like I've mentioned in other threads he's a rhythm QB throw him off rhythm and he's going to make mistakes. Let him get into a rhythm and he's dangerous.
2) QB PRESSURE, we have struggled big time getting any pressure aside from blitzing Pitre. This is a game where guys like Franklin and Randolph need to get home
3) Contain Breece the beast. Hall is another clone that relies heavily on rhythm if he gets churning early he becomes increasingly harder to tackle as the game where's on. Slowing the run and putting ISU in passing downs takes Hall out of the game plan
4) Kolar/Hutchinson- One could argue Kolar is the best TE in the country and to an extent has been underused so far. We've got to pay close attention to him ( looking at you Doyle/Bernard) Hutchinson is their best WR by far Texada will has his hands full.

We do all or most of these things and we win. Despite their struggles with Iowa this will be a tough game. Looking forward to seeing where we stack up. I do believe this is a game where Gerrys going to have to throw 30 plus times for us to successfully move the ball. Wild guess here 24-20 Bears

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This is very spot on. I disagree with your final score, but your analysis of ISU is quite accurate.

Kolar seems to be healthy again, and that's been a huge hang up for ISU in the first couple games. They were slow getting him back to action, and he looked 100% against UNLV.

gobears20 said:

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I know that ISU played at UNLV but I wonder how they will do with our crowd? Hopefully we have an energized group of fans that are loud.

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The UNLV game was outside of Ames, but it wasn't a road game.

Of the 35K in attendance, at least 28K/29K were ISU fans.

GB shows us all the real reason why he's the starter, his ability to run the football. Ebner and Smith may not have the kind of numbers they've had the first 3 games, but I have a feeling that GB and the QB run along with a little more passing on 1st down plus a stingy defense, two turnovers, and a couple of FGs instead of TDs help us win this one. I like the 27-20 score that was posted earlier. Going to be a good game, and I just have a feeling we come out on top.

Just don't want to see us get down early by two scores or more. We need to stay within one score or play with a lead. This is the kind of game where you really need your front three to put pressure on the QB.

Great discussion. Thank you.

It helps that I'm an ISU grad and follow the program haha. Should be a hard hitting doozy Saturday

McCavebear's keys to the game:

1. Protect the ball. Protect Bohanon.

2. Play fast. Get up on the clones early.

3. Get Purdy.

4. Jam their receivers at the line.

5. Force turnovers.


Just win baby.. Sic 'em!

I can dream of a 2013 repeat but that won't happen. But we could get some big plays. I really want to see Jalen Pitre get another pick six like last year. Ebner with a kick return for TD would be great too.

LIGHT "EM UP BEARS!


twitter.com/janth3man9/status/781665487566413824/photo/1



Sic 'em!

Play action on 1st down at times will be a necessity for BU this game, I believe.

historian said:

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I can dream of a 2013 repeat but that won't happen. But we could get some big plays. I really want to see Jalen Pitre get another pick six like last year. Ebner with a kick return for TD would be great too.

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Art Briles and Paul Rhoads aren't going to be on the sidelines.

Thank God.

alanmarmstrong said:

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GB shows us all the real reason why he's the starter, his ability to run the football. Ebner and Smith may not have the kind of numbers they've had the first 3 games, but I have a feeling that GB and the QB run along with a little more passing on 1st down plus a stingy defense, two turnovers, and a couple of FGs instead of TDs help us win this one. I like the 27-20 score that was posted earlier. Going to be a good game, and I just have a feeling we come out on top.

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I agree. I think we will see some more planned runs for GB and more passing to the running backs; a full plate of RVO.

We would have won last year if Squirrel had not gotten hurt. Look for Grimes to do some special things with Squirrel. We are a better team than last year, but so is Iowa State. I think it will be a very close game. I am not one of those doomsayers who says we have got to win this game. However it sure would be sweet if we did.

CycloneFan said:

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historian said:

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I can dream of a 2013 repeat but that won't happen. But we could get some big plays. I really want to see Jalen Pitre get another pick six like last year. Ebner with a kick return for TD would be great too.

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Art Briles and Paul Rhoads aren't going to be on the sidelines.

Thank God.

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Never understood why Cyclone fans bought into the UT BS about Briles.

Some have suggested they hate Briles & Baylor because of the 2013 game. Corey Coleman's 97 yard return for TD certainly was dramatic.

Aliceinbubbleland said:

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CycloneFan said:

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historian said:

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I can dream of a 2013 repeat but that won't happen. But we could get some big plays. I really want to see Jalen Pitre get another pick six like last year. Ebner with a kick return for TD would be great too.

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Art Briles and Paul Rhoads aren't going to be on the sidelines.

Thank God.

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Never understood why Cyclone fans bought into the UT BS about Briles.

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Briles is a scumbag. Everyone outside of Waco gets that. I'm sure you think he was set up and it was some kind of conspiracy blah blah blah.