Iowa State Sports

At this current juncture, there is a lot concern over the state of Iowa State Athletics.  The basketball team lost a game they had won last night and the football team appeared to take a step backwards from a promising 1st season under Coach Chizik.

My opinion, get over it.

The state of college athletics is very competitive right now.  Money can equal victories.  Pay Nick Saban enough and he'll get you a 11-1 season.  But the danger of such success is people expect that at every school.  But that would be a grave mistake to assume such a thing.

Iowa State is building a two great programs.  The football team took a step back because they lost a strong senior class (See A. Bowen, A. Rubin) that keep the defense competitive.  The offense has the playmakers to be great as does the defense.  But success in the trenches takes time to build with a poor program like Iowa State.  We're not nationally known and nor do we command national respect like Alabama.  You'd be dumb not to play there if you were an incoming freshman.  But Iowa State is building the framework for long term success.  It takes time (see Mizzou, Kansas) and they'll get there. 

As far as the basketball team, I'd like to find a team with more turnover in the first few years as McD has had the past 3.  Again though, the program is building the right way.  Young talent that plays hard and disciplined.  Young teams make mistakes though.  The reason W. Morgan was let go was that his veteran teams made silly mistakes.  So I expect the basketball team to be 1-2 years away from a great season, but we'll have many more successful years (and continued success).

So Cyclone Fans, be patient.  Our time is coming...