Paul Rhoads Announces He is "All-In"!

With the news that Paul Rhoads has agreed to a 10-year, $20 million deal with ISU both parties made a statement.  Paul Rhoads will not be leaving anytime soon.  I realize coaching contracts mean next to nothing.  However, with Paul Rhoads and the fact that it is a 10 year deal I feel confident to say he will be here for awhile.  If one of the big boys come strolling along maybe this changes.  Paul has shown it will take more than a mediocre job at a BCS school to jump ship.  He has also told his wife he will retire in his mid-50's.  This contract takes him to that age.  The salary bump Rhoads is getting is enough to move him up to 9th (out of 10) in the Big XII.  It will be interesting to see what the actual details of the contract are.  I am sure there are bonuses up the ying-yang in this contract but how much money does a person who resides in Gilbert, Iowa really need????

Paul Rhoads will still make about 2 million less than his coaching counterpart who resides 100 some odd miles east.  Looking at the production, Rhoads is a much better value.  Fortunately for ISU he still appears to be one of the most underrated coaches in the nation.  His current record stands at 18-19 which to the naked eye doesn't look to impressive.  As an ISU fan I hope there are a lot of naked eyes out there.  People forget this team was favored in TWO games.  One of them was against FCS Northern Iowa and the other was against one of the worst teams in FBS with a lame duck coach.  Not many expected a bowl game this year let alone two in CPR's first three years.  Keep in mind he is just a failed two point conversion attempt away from going to three straight bowl games people.  I still agree with that call by the way.

While Kirk Ferentz is the highest paid employee in the state of Iowa for his back to back seven win regular seasons its interesting to think about what an ISU fan should expect from CPR in the next ten years.  Its important to keep in mind that this is still a program with three bowl wins in the history of the program.  With the current structure of the Big XII I don't know as if ISU can win a conference championship.  If they were to add two teams and get back to a conference championship I would feel as though a conference championship game appearance or two wouldn't be out of line.  However, I must say this year of Big XII football was fun to watch.  I enjoy playing every team in the league and although it may be tougher it has to be a great recruiting pitch to recruits in Texas guaranteeing them two games played in the state each year.

Lets say Paul Rhoads does indeed stay the duration of this contract.  Here is what I feel we can realistically expect as Iowa State fans.  Remember with Rhoads though a lot of time the theme is "expect the unexpected".

Bowl Games: 8 of 10 years (This would be over double the current amount of appearances in school history)
Bowl Wins: 6 of 10 years (This would triple the current amount in school history)
Conference Winning Percentage: .500 or above with current system
7-8 win Seasons: 6 of 10 years
9+ win Seasons: 3 of 10 years (if including bowl wins)  This would mean going undefeated in non-conference play and going 6-3 in conference play or 5-4 with a bowl win.  This group was close to going 4-5 in conference play this season.
BCS Bowl Appearance: First, I hope this system is no longer in place by the end of his tenure but I really think this may be the ultimate ceiling for ISU with the current system.  However, it is discouraging to think that Kansas State this year went 10-2 and failed to make a BCS bowl as an at-large.  I feel the two programs are very similar.
Attendance: I really feel fans need to make sure they support this program.  Fans for years have whined about the administration not stepping up.  I feel JP has done an excellent job and it is time for ISU to guarantee its players 50,000 plus at every home game.  Next year will be the ultimate test without UNI, Iowa or Texas on the schedule.
South End Zone:  With Rhoads here for the next 10 years this project needs to get done.  This does not necessarily mean a 70k stadium.  It would not really add a whole lot to the capacity.  What it would do is provide more expensive reserved seats for season ticket holders as well as provide a much better atmosphere for college football.


In elementary school a friend convinced me to start cheering for Iowa State during the NCAA tournament when Kelvin Cato and company were making their way to the Sweet 16.  It has been a whirlwind ever since.  Odds have been stacked against this athletic program year after year.  I feel as though this football program has the most momentum since I have been fan.  Keep in mind they didn't even make a bowl game prior to me starting my ISU fanship.  With Rhoads at the helm I can't help but think what is possible for this program.  I have had season tickets for the last seven years, a tradition I plan on keeping alive.  However, it is time for myself and the rest of Cyclone Nation to step up, start contributing and declare ourselves "All-In"!!!!

Opening Day of Bowl Season

Ah, it is that time of year again.  Time for games between mediocre teams in front of tens of fans all broadcast on ESPN and sponsored by some type of food, internet site or baseball cap.  I really do enjoy it.  I enjoy the bowl pick 'ems.  I enjoy the highlights.  I enjoy how it lasts just short of the NBA postseason.  It bridges the gap to spring football and gives us one last helping of college football.  I am going to attempt to pick these games.  Not because I think I am an expert, but because I would like something to take credit for should I get lucky.  Here are tomorrows picks!

Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Temple vs. Wyoming

Owls are red.  Cowboys are brown.  Wyoming will be the one's leaving with a frown.
Temple 31    Wyoming 20

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs Utah State

Frank Solich had a career record of 58-19 at Nebraska.  They finished the season in the top 10 three seasons in a row.  His last season was 9-3.  Good enough to get him fired.  What?!  Nebraska since has not finished the season in the top 10 and has a total of 34 losses since his tenure.  You may be aware of the mess at Pitt right now too?  Common among both places?  Steve Pederson as the AD.

My first underdog pick of the bowl season.  I like Frank Solich.  May he turn Utah State into hashbrowns.

26-23

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

San Diego State vs. Louisiana Lafayette

San Diego State still has enough of its roster from last year under Brady Hoke to put a hurtin' to the Rajun Cajuns, which may be one of the coolest mascots in college football.  They will be playing close to home but San Diego State needs to get used to traveling across the country beings as though they are a member of the Big East now.

SDSU 33-La Lafayette 19

Revisiting My 2011 Predictions

 Here is the deal.  I made some rather bold and fearless predictions in January.  They were very specific.  I assigned a "boldness" scale to each of them back then.  I will give myself a portion of these boldness points and try to beat my "batting average" next year.  Enjoy.

2011 Predictions

Here are ten sports related predictions for 2011.  Some are bold, some are not.

1.  The Oregon Ducks will defeat the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship game by a score of 52-49 in the highest scoring BCS title game yet.  On a side note, TCU will finish 2nd in the AP poll and receive at least two #1 votes. (Bold scale: 3)

*VERDICT: I missed on this one in multiple ways.  Auburn wins on a last second field goal and it wasn't quite that high scoring.  ZERO points.
 
2.  The New England Patriots will defeat the Chicago Bears in the 2011 Super Bowl by a score of 27-17.  Wes Welker is named the Super Bowl MVP for his 12 reception performance. (Bold scale: 5 due to the Bears prediction)
*VERDICT: I missed on both parts.  Neither the Patriots nor the Bears made it to the Super Bowl although the Bears came pretty close.  ZERO points.

3.  The Iowa State MBB team will finish the regular season 19-12 and win their first game in the Big XII tournament.  With a home win over a ranked Kansas State team as their lone "signature" win, they fail to crack the NCAA bubble and are invited to play in the postseason NIT tournament, their first postseason appearance since 2005. (Bold scale: 4)
*VERDICT: I was three wins off on the 2010-2011 Cyclones.  I really thought they might make a run.  They didn't, but were still fun to watch.  ONE point.
 
4.  The Philadelphia Phillies win over 100 games in the regular season along with the necessary 11 wins needed to win the World Series.  The Red Sox win 98 regular season games, but fail to make it to the World Series due to a late injury to Carl Crawford. (Bold scale: 3)
*VERDICT: Hey!  I was somewhat close on this with Philly getting to 100 wins.  However, the fell to the Cardinals in the NLDS and the Red Sox crumbled late and didn't even make it to the postseason.  I will give myself ONE point for this prediction.
 
5.  The Chicago Cubs will make the playoffs and get beat in the first round by the Phillies.  Carlos Zambrano has a resurgence and gets to 17 wins.  Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood combine for 50 saves and combine with Sean Marshall for one of the toughest bullpens in the NL. (Bold Scale: 7)

*VERDICT: Holy cow.  Biased much WrigleyIvy?  I missed by 8 wins on Zambrano, 19 wins on the Cubs and 15 saves on Marmol and Wood.  Not to mention Zambrano was prohibited from being in the clubhouse by the team late in the year!  NO points awarded for these predictions.

 
6.  The 2011 ISU football team goes 6-6 and is invited to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.  Paul Rhoads picks up his first victory over Iowa Redeyes, I mean Hawkeyes but will fall to UCONN on the road.  Jerome Tiller is the starting quarterback against UNI, but Steele Jantz sees significant playing time and becomes the starting quarterback by season's end.  (Bold Scale: 8)

*VERDICT: If there is something I know its Cyclone football.  Let me toot my own horn by saying Vegas predicted ISU for 2 wins, TWO.  This was a VERY bold statement.  I predicted their win total, their bowl and the win over Iowa.  However, ISU DID win against UCONN, Tiller was NOT the starting QB at the beginning of the year.  Steele did see significant time at the beginning of the year.  I will give myself SIX points for this pick.

 
7.  Oklahoma wins the first Big XII championship with round-robin scheduling and plays TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.  The Texas Longhorns have another mediocre season finishing 8-4 and are invited to play in the Holiday Bowl. (Bold Scale: 3)
*VERDICT: Hmmm.  Well, OSU was crowned the champions however OU still controlled their own destiny heading into the last game.  They will not be in the Fiesta Bowl.  Texas IS heading to the Holiday Bowl, however with just mediocre 6-6 record.  I will award myself ONE point.

 
8.  The Big Ten renames their divisions the Violators and Coke heads.  Nebraska loses to Ohio State in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game.  This will be the last time anyone other than Michigan plays in the championship game for the rest of the decade as Jim Harbaugh returns home in 2012 to turn the Big Ten into Michigan vs Ohio State as all others return to mediocrity and continue the tradition of losing to the SEC on New Year's day. (Bold Scale: 9)
*VERDICT: In so many ways I was off with this one.  I am going to award myself ONE point because of the idea of Michigan and OSU dominating the B1G in the near future.
 

9. Jim Harbaugh and Andrew Luck both return to Stanford to go undefeated and win the first season of the Pac-12 conference.  They are invited to play in the 2012 National Championship game, but because this is a 2011 prediction post, I cannot predict the outcome of this game.  Before the championship game occurs Rich Rodriguez is fired shortly after his team loses to Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl.  Jim Harbaugh accepts an offer to come back to Michigan but still coaches in the NC game. (Bold Scale: 8)

*VERDICT: Once again, I'm off in a number of different ways but I need to give myself some credit.  RichRod got fired, Luck returned, and--well that is about it.  TWO points.

10. Mark Cuban successfully implements and funds a plan for an 8 team playoff.  The playoff system is announced to begin in 2013.  Conference champions will NOT receive an automatic bid to the playoff.  ESPN will buy the television rights to all games and Bud Light will be the main sponsor.  The MCS (Mark Cuban System) Playoff winners will receive a $5,000 stipend and an iPad.  The Big Ten decides to boycott the playoff system because the Big Ten Network was not awarded the rights to the games and "its not fair they have a championship game and the winner doesn't receive an automatic bid", which makes them look into contraction. (Bold Scale: 10) 
*VERDICT: Maybe some day.  ZERO points.


Total Points Awarded: 12
Total Points Possible: 60

Batting Average: .200

MY sporting wish list

Here's my list (in no particular order, please remember that), then a couple I've marked off.  Ha, I think that'll be another separate list.

*) Unworthy of any number, unreasonable as it may be unattainable, my holy grail of sport, is an ISU football team playing in the national championship.  No amount of money, no prior plans, nothing, could keep me from having the best possible seats in the biggest sports event in Iowa State University history.  This experience, of course, would have to include ISU fan #1 sitting next to me.

1) Wrigley Field - been there, but haven't done the bleachers or the rooftops.  At the same time, the view from the stands, without the ads and video and other garbage, is THE BEST in all of sports.

2) Lambeau - in the dead of winter.  No other NFL atmosphere like it.  Other than maybe...

3) Soldier Field -probably not quite the same now that they redid it.  (The recurring theme is that old stadiums hold more value for me.)  Still, passionate fans + a unique environment = a great experience.

4) Red River Rivalry - because it looks cool on TV?

5) Fenway - missed the real Yankee Stadium, and Shea too.  Am I joking about Shea?

6) Any golf tournament - The Masters would be cool, well above any other majors.  I've had a tournament in my backyard for 6 years and haven't gone.

7) Rose Bowl / LA Coliseum - old school bowl stadiums are the best.  The Cotton Bowl falls into this category too.

8) Jerry World - plenty of opportunities here too.  It's the 9th(?) wonder of the modern world.

9) Tennis tournament - this is kinda silly, but it's allowable because I played JV, right?  The US Clay Court Championships had been in Houston for the past several years.  Not a grand slam event by any stretch, but it still attracted some decent talent.  Again, didn't go.  The super level would be the U.S. Open or Wimbledon.  It'd depend on whether I wanted to get drunk and loud or clap politely between services.

10) Manchester United "football" game - craziest fans on the planet, AND you can bet on games at the stadium!!!


Finally... seriously guys, you missed these?!?

Ever heard of the Olympics?  What about the World Cup?  THE biggest sporting events on the planet, only occurring every four years!  I'd pick the World Cup first, surprisingly perhaps, but there are some pretty badass events in the winter Olympics.  The Olympics are tough because most aren't spectator sports.  But, it's THE OLYMPICS.  The World Cup is full of crazies no matter who plays, a couple billion people are watching on TV, and it's held in some interesting areas of the world.  Count me in.

The takeaway from all this should be that there are sporting events worth planning a (huge) trip around.

P.S.  My travel buddy is out of commission the next couple of years.  Who will step up?

My Sporting Event Bucket List

I got thinking the other night of all the different sporting events I would like to see.  Obviously I enjoy watching ISU athletics some events that were previously on my bucket list were crossed off or soon will be crossed off because of them.  I'll start with a few things I have done that I think are pretty special.

March Madness (In Vegas)- The two times I have done this really have been some of the best times of my life.  I vowed to make sure I returned every year, but due to this New York trip it might not be happening. 

Football Handicapping in Vegas- I have done this a couple times now and it is pretty intense.  The Venetian is the place to be and I am excited to go back.

Wrigley Field (Bleachers, Rooftop)- I enjoy the bleachers much better but the rooftop is a pretty cool experience as well.  I've been able to see two of the biggest rivalries in MLB (Cubs vs Cardinals and Cubs vs White Sox) at Wrigley Field.

Visiting 10 Different MLB parks- Some of them still exist, some of them don't.  This topic will appear later on my list.  Coolest stadium?  San Francisco.

See a Game in Lambeau Field- It is quite an atmosphere there.  By no means am I a Packers fan, but the experience was pretty cool.

Visit Yankee Stadium- Coming soon.  Although it will be for a football game I think the opportunity will be pretty special.


The List....

Visit Every MLB Park-  I think the more realistic scenario is to see all 30 MLB teams play a home game.  Baseball stadiums and the different layouts fascinate me.  Would really enjoy seeing Fenway Park before its too late.

Go to a SEC Football Game- It is just a different ball of wax down there.  I think it would be quite the experience to be present at one of these games.

Attend the Red River Rivalry- In connection with the Texas State Fair I think this would be a hoot.  Fried food, rivalry, good football, warm weather.

Attend a Game in Madison Square Garden- I was hoping the Knicks were playing at home during our trip so I could cross this one off.  It is supposed to be the mecca of basketball, so I think it would be worth seeing.

Attend either a NLCS clinching or World Series clinching Cubs victory in Wrigley Field- Might not ever happen but I would have to pull out all the stops if the opportunity arose.

Be in Attendance for Every Cyclone Football Game (1 season)- It would be fun to see an entire season unfold in person.  It would be pretty possible in my opinion during a year in which ISU has seven home games and plays Iowa in Iowa City.  That would leave two trips to Texas, a trip to Oklahoma and a trip to Kansas.

See a Bears Victory in Soldier Field- Seems pretty small but I have never seen my favorite professional football team play a home game.  I'm a Bears fan and I have been to Lambeau and not Soldier Field.  What's up with that?

Spend Super Bowl Sunday in Vegas- Prop bets, prop bets, prop bets!


I'm sure I left a few off the list.  What is on yours?

New York, New York

I will be the first to admit New York City was not my first choice for an Iowa State bowl destination.  However, after deciding to make the trip I have done some more research on NYC and am getting more and more excited.  I think it truly will be a great trip for the players, coaches and fans.  Warm weather is nice in December, but this truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone involved.  Here are ten reasons I am looking forward to this trip.

10.  The Cyclones have now taken me to Houston's Reliant Stadium, Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium (3 times), Las Vegas, Tempe, Columbia (MO) and now New York City.  I love seeing different stadiums and cities.  I really enjoy seeing different baseball stadiums.  My #10 reason I am excited for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl is the chance to see the new Yankee Stadium.

9.  I've been fortunate to visit a lot of different places around the country.  My only experience out east was Washington D.C. when I was younger.  I have never really been tremendously interested in visiting New York in the past.  JMeeks wanted to go out there a couple summers ago and I didn't really understand why.  The east coast is truly a different experience.  Reason #9 is this trip presents the opportunity to go to the east coast and experience New York City.

8.  New Year's Eve in New York City.  This is supposed to be the place to be on NYE right?  I've spent NYE in Houston and Tempe why not New York City.

7.  Statue of Liberty.  I've seen it on television and in books.  This is a chance to see it in person.  I just hope it looks like this...

6.  Central Park.  I was a big fan of the Home Alone movies.  I had the Home Alone game for my GameBoy and on the Super Nintendo.  I want to see what this Central Park is all about and throw bird see all over JMeeks and watch him scream.

5.  TMNT.  I want to see the land of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I love those dudes.  The movies were great.  Cowabunga!!!

4.  Times Square.  No, I don't plan on standing outside for hours upon hours without beverages and without restrooms to see a ball drop.  Would it be cool to say you have done it?  Yes, absolutely.  Is it worth it on your first trip to NYC?  Absolutely not.  However, I do look forward to seeing what this Times Square is all about.

3.  Ground Zero.  One of the biggest moments of United States history, one that happened when I was a freshman in high school happened in NYC.  I still and always will remember sitting in the wrestling room during physical education class.  At that time I really didn't know the significance of the World Trade Centers nor did I know at that time how big of a travesty this truly was.  Football practice was cancelled after school and when I got home seemingly every channel had constant coverage.  I knew this was big.  I look forward to seeing this area and the tribute to the victims and the hero's of 9/11.

2.  New York Style Pizza.  I love pizza.  I really freaking love pizza.  I have had New York style pizza but I haven't had pizza from New York.  I'm getting hungry thinking about it.  As a kid I had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy that shot out pizzas.

This really could have been #1....

1.  Cyclone Football.  At the end of the day I really look forward to seeing these boys play again.  This has really been a special season to be an ISU fan.  The team was favored in TWO games and won SIX.  A season that just about started with a loss to UNI ended with a trip to NYC.  It is a season I will never forget.  A season that included two of the most memorable games I've ever been to.  It would be a shame to not take advantage of the biggest win in school history.  Paul Rhoads is putting out a product on the field that is fun to watch and I simply can't wait until the 30th.  Getting a chance to tailgate at different establishments in Manhattan and the Bronx will truly be something different and special.  I really truly hope Rutgers packs the house.  It will be hard for ISU to bring a ton of fans but both teams deserve a great atmosphere whether that be hostile or supportive.  I think it will be a fun game to watch and the chance to win a 2nd bowl game in three years is pretty unbelievable considering where this program was at just three years ago.  Here is a clip from Paul Rhoads last night to get you fired up....

And this post wouldn't be complete without a few music video's....

And...

Let's GO CYCLONES!!!!!

Kenpom and Sagarin Rankings for ISU Update 12/7/2011

 Ken Pomeroy rankings
Rank - 81 (9th out of 10 in the Big XII)
Record by projected wins and losses - 15-16 (5-13 in Big XII)
Aggregate projected record - 16-15 (7-11 in Big XII)


Sagarin rankings
Rank - 65 (5th out of 10 in the Big XII)
Record by projected wins and losses - 15-16 (5-13 in Big XII)

Surprisingly, Iowa State's rankings have risen, even though the team has lost 3 games and hasn't looked very sharp.  It's tough to figure out what to make of this.  The rating for kenpom has increased from .5972 to .7097, which makes the better projections make sense.  However, the Sagarin rating has only moved from 78.93 to 80.59, not exactly a step change.  More importantly, the rest of the conference has taken a huge drop.  Texas, for example, has dropped from 89.65 to 77.89.  Again, it takes two teams to play a game and other teams' drops have obviously helped Iowa State's projected record.

There's a hundred things I could glean from the statistics at kenpom.com, but I'll highlight just one statistic during each of these updates.  We can understand more about the Cyclones from these very unique stats.  This week, I'll take an easy one.

Offensive Efficiency - 108.1, rank 43rd

This is a good offensive squad for the Cyclones.  Obvious?  Well, this stat backs it up.  This is somewhat surprising because of the cold shooting ISU has had the last couple of weeks.  Of course, they should be good, the starting five are out there because they're the best offensive players.  It's essentially four shooting guards and Royce White.  Chris Allen is a bit of a chucker, Ejim is really slumping, Christopherson has been struggling having to run the point and they haven't really run much offense for White in the post.  Yet, still, this offense has been successful.  It's only the 6th best offense in the Big XII right now, but really has a chance to be something special.