Cykron

As we go into the last week of the Big 12 season: if Iowa State beats Kansas State on the road, and if TCU loses to Baylor, (1-10) and if Oklahoma State loses to Kansas (1-10), and if Texas loses to Texas Tech, and if West Virginia loses to Oklahoma, then Iowa State will play Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game! "So, they're saying there's a chance?" Just us winning is big enough in itself. We have lost the last 9 games to the Vampire Bill Snyder who only comes to life once per year to suck our blood. Seriously, the endings of our games are bordering on demonic.

Cheering for two wins over KSU teams this week. Yours tonight over Kent State. And ours on Saturday over Kansas State. We really like the fact that you guys have turned it on and are competing for the MAC championship. P.S. See my post in the Iowa State thread about our chances to be in the Big 12 championship.

I'm an Iowa State fan, so I've been to a lot of difficult losses. However, there is something about a stadium that is very special. Or maybe it is just the tailgating!

I have never enjoyed a game on TV as much as a game at the stadium. Even a boring game on TV is usually fun in person.

Here's hoping you get good weather and a strong turnout of fans. I used to enjoy MACtion just because it was more football. This year (with personal connections now to Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami, and Northern Illinois), I put the games in my schedule and feel bad if I miss one.

Congrats. Game was loaded with punches and counter-punches (only somewhat metaphorical), but you guys held strong. Nice job.

Going to head home a little early tonight so that I can watch the first half before my evening commitment. Hope you guys take it to them right from the opening kickoff. Go Zips. P.S. I'm still wearing my Zips pin!

Darn it. That totally ruins my argument. Thanks a lot for reminding me of that little fact. I bow in defeat before you, Buckszip, and others. P.S. Iowa being a low population state with cool things like the Iowa Caucus and World Food Prize increases the odds of having flights with famous people. I've met presidential candidates and ambassadors on flights to/from Des Moines. But Johnny Majors was my best yet!

This is the big question. I think our donors will dig deep. Our AD has shown that he will reward success and promise. He did so with our previous head coach when he set the world on fire with a 6-win season. But there is no way that we can dig Big 10 or SEC deep. If Campbell wants the money, he will have plenty of opportunities to get it. I think he will take his Iowa State money (and low cost of living) for several years until the right offer comes along. In the long run, he will be able to do what he wants to do (change the culture of a program and turn it into a winner, then go on to try to be recognized as a premier coach of a premier program). He can make as much money at Iowa State and the premier program as he can by leaving Iowa State for an intermediate stop before the premier program. And there is so much risk that his ability to succeed will get limited by the baggage of the wannabe premier program. Of course, there is also risk that he can't overcome our culture of not being very good, but he seems to be doing pretty well with us. Perhaps the other big question is how deep the pockets of the Purple Raiders are!

Ugh. I wouldn't go near the Tennessee program. And there is so much arrogance to deal with there. If Campbell wants just to coach, he is already in a good place to do it. If he wants to become a pawn in a huge game of fundraising and donor ego management, then go to Knoxville. However, Campbell wouldn't be the first Iowa State head coach to go to Tennessee. I was on a flight a few weeks ago and happened to sit next to Johnny Majors who left Ames to go to Knoxville.

Here is my poster for Iowa State's game this week with Oklahoma State:

Of course, no coach at measly schools like Toledo or Iowa State "belongs" in Columbus as head coach. Except maybe for the two from Iowa State who already did. But you will dismiss that as ancient history. No one thinks Campbell will go to Columbus on the basis of a few seasons. However, if he is successful over a long period of time at Iowa State against some really good opponents (coughOklahomacough), it is not crazy to think there will be some interest. And that isn't just a bunch of "if's," that is a likely path for the next head coach in Columbus.

So, what if Campbell spends 15 years in Ames and competes for the Big 12 Championship in most years and wins at least 5 conference championships (for a school that has never won even one). Would he still need a stepping stone of another institution?

This may be one of the saddest things I've ever seen. You guys are decent fans. And the team is good enough to deserve better. I really hope the team performs well and you start filling the stands again. I take my shots, but I really want the best for you guys. As long as I am still married (which I hope will be for many more decades), I will be coming to Akron and paying attention to the Zips. And this season, I'm proudly wearing a Zips pin on the lapel of my Iowa State jacket.

Good to know. Hope Campbell gives your big toe a good stomping in Ames next year.

A few people storming the field on Saturday had "We Want 'Bama" signs. I'm going to make a "Bring on THE OSU" poster to our Oklahoma State game in two weeks!

There is talk about Campbell going somewhere as a stepping stone, but I don't think it will happen. I think he (and the other 13 staff with Ohio on their resumes somewhere) will hold out for Ohio State. And the best line to Ohio State is to stay at Iowa State until Columbus is ready for him. And I don't think he wants to risk his career on all the junk that would come with a job at Florida or Tennessee where he can never be good enough. In Ames, he can control his destiny. And we are about ready to fall down before him in worship. P.S. And he gets to spank you guys again next year in Ames.

Farmers are already putting their fields up for sale! Just in case.

We watched the entire Akron/Buffalo game on at our tailgate in Ames. To be honest, I found myself wanting to cheer for both, especially when my nephew didn't play. Now, I'm back to cheering wholeheartedly for you guys for the rest of the season.

Just consider the source of the posts. It doesn't take long to sort out who is who on the site. Makes me wonder if there is an "Ignore" tool. I've got a few that I would like to put on an Ignore List. And they would probably like to do the same with me (nah, probably not because they would prefer to just take shots).

The Buffalo QB of which I speak is my nephew from Stow, OH! Aren't you taking notes on my previous posts? There aren't that many Iowa State fans with in-laws in northeast Ohio posting on this board.

You need to get posters at home games!

Too bad Buffalo is going to spoil your MAC championship hopes by rallying behind their new QB!

Darn it. I would love to come to Akron again for the Buffalo game, but it is in the middle of a 10-day conference that is our biggest event of the year at work.

I told you guys that I wasn't going away after the Iowa State game . . . even though some might prefer it.