No, I said a first-year coach had him looking like an amateur. Big difference. And, IMO, yes, the Iowa State staff had their kids playing loose and ready to bring it. I did not see that from the Iowa side of things. It was a pretty lackluster performance IMO. In general, I was not impressed with the game plan or approach. Yes, it sure felt like Iowa was playing with the mindset of playing not to lose. If you disagree, you disagree.
Look, we go over this every season. I often defend individual players when fans attack them, or when criticism is ridiculous and over the top. I see plenty of gray and plenty of nuance. Rarely, if ever, is it either all bad or all good. Yesterday, that certainly held true. There were plenty of good things that happened in the game. I just did not like the body language I saw from the Iowa players. That does not mean I believe they were indifferent or scared of Iowa State. It does mean I didn’t like the body language and believe it is likely they were too tense and overthinking too much as not to make a critical mistake. Does that mean I am right? I have no idea. But that’s what I saw; people can have different views. None of it matters. It’s a message board for sh*ts and giggles (and at times group therapy
).
Also, check the game thread if you’re that interested. When Iowa got down 10-0, I responded to a few jumping off the ledge that I believed Iowa was still likely going to win the game. But then I did criticize Iowa’s approach coming out IMO flat and playing not to make mistakes. So, you can probably retire the “overreaction” charges you continue to level at me.
2-0.
