1. The injuries have narrowed the margin of error considerably. How ISU has tried to play given the available personnel now has hours of tape. It's up to the staff to continue to add wrinkles. With a smaller margin of error, execution becomes even more important. Have to believe nicked up running backs and no Ben Brahmer have made a significant impact on preventing teams from stunting nonstop. The other tight ends playing are not viable receiving threats.
2. Obviously the story on the defense is the linebacking corp....well, that and the predictable opening drive touchdown. This side of the ball has been surprisingly effective in view of the personnel, but like the offense, hours of tape reveal how to attack it.
3. The staff knows what needs to be fixed and the best ways to address the problems. Do they have the available personnel to consistently do the job? Jury is still out.
4. I don't pay attention to rankings, until the last few weeks of the CFP rankings. The '99-'00 basketball season taught me the only thing that matters is the next game. That's it. Everything else sorts itself out.
5. Coaches & players make mistakes...Cyclones & opponents, but they still know infinitely more than I do from the stands or my recliner.
