The last time Iowa State was 5-0 was 1980. That year Iowa State played nobody ranked above 60th in the power ratings in the first five games, Iowa being the best at 60th.
Then the Cyclones played 40th ranked Kansas on the road and lost. The rest of Iowa State's schedule included all but two top-40 teams and ended up 6-5.
Point....Iowa State's schedule was front end loaded with low ranked opponents. The 5-0 record was fool's gold.
This year.....
Every team that Iowa State has played this year is sub-50 except ...Iowa. Other than Iowa, Baylor is the highest ranked team we have played to date. Just like 1980, our schedule has been remarkably front end loaded with easy teams (except Iowa).
The Cyclones now play 40th power rated West Virginia on the road. Exactly the same as Kansas in 1980.
The rest of Iowa State's schedule includes 6 of the top-7 teams on our strength of schedule, with UCF being the only sub-40 opponent we have yet to play.
Things are different under Campbell than Duncan for sure. But I'm tellin' ya......Iowa State was set up for the opportunity to go 5-0.....and the rest of the schedule is set to be one grueling week after week fight. Just like 1980.
The Mountaineers with home field advantage comes in at a 20th power ranked equivalent, and feeling pretty confident themselves.
This is one mother of a challenge for Campell and his team...a lot more so than a lot of fans are appreciating right now.
(In my opinion.)
Then the Cyclones played 40th ranked Kansas on the road and lost. The rest of Iowa State's schedule included all but two top-40 teams and ended up 6-5.
Point....Iowa State's schedule was front end loaded with low ranked opponents. The 5-0 record was fool's gold.
This year.....
Every team that Iowa State has played this year is sub-50 except ...Iowa. Other than Iowa, Baylor is the highest ranked team we have played to date. Just like 1980, our schedule has been remarkably front end loaded with easy teams (except Iowa).
The Cyclones now play 40th power rated West Virginia on the road. Exactly the same as Kansas in 1980.
The rest of Iowa State's schedule includes 6 of the top-7 teams on our strength of schedule, with UCF being the only sub-40 opponent we have yet to play.
Things are different under Campbell than Duncan for sure. But I'm tellin' ya......Iowa State was set up for the opportunity to go 5-0.....and the rest of the schedule is set to be one grueling week after week fight. Just like 1980.
The Mountaineers with home field advantage comes in at a 20th power ranked equivalent, and feeling pretty confident themselves.
This is one mother of a challenge for Campell and his team...a lot more so than a lot of fans are appreciating right now.
(In my opinion.)
