About all those Bad FBS teams we beat
Something I have been thinking about regarding the FBS win streak. Everyone is quick to discount the wins over Kansas, Minn, CSU, and ISU because those teams were bad. Those teams were bad, but that is not the end of the analysis. Its not like we barely beat those teams (with the exception of Kansas). Also, any claim that the 2013 KSU team was mediocre is false. That team, when healthy like they were when they played NDSU, was really good. My thoughts, for whatever they are worth:
Kansas 2010: Yes this team was bad and we squeaked by them. But we weren’t good yet. We also lost 3-0 to Missouri state that year. So I get not getting much credit for this win, but we weren’t good yet.
Minnesota 2011: Yes, this team was bad too. But we beat them by 2 tds on the road. Exactly what you should do to a bad team if you are fringe top 25-30. Also of note: UM lost by 2 at USC two weeks earlier. Lost by 7 at ranked MSU. They did get crushed at home by top 20 Nebraska and top 20 Wisconsin. Beat Illinois (by 20) and beat Iowa. Mostly freshman and sophomores for this NDSU team too.
Colorado State 2012: Yes this team was bad too. But we beat them by 15 on the road, and definitely went conservative in second half (up 19-7 at half). Yards, TOP, etc was a massacre. Exactly what you should do to a bad team if you are fringe top 25-30. Also of note: They beat CU the week before we played. Held them to fewest points all year. Only fresno state beat them by more in fort Collins (21, which we could have gotten to).
Kansas State 2013. This team was really good when its receivers were healthy. And we won at their place by three without our best DT. Also of note: 21 points was tied for fewest KSU scored that year, only because they kept fumbling at Texas. Other results in Manhattan that year: Crushed LaLafayette, Crushed Umass, Lost to number 15 Baylor by 10 WITHOUT LOCKETT OR THOMPSON, Crushed WV, Crushed ISU, beat TCU, lost to sugar bowl champion Oklahoma by 10 (Ok beat Bama by 14 that year). The other losses not yet mentioned were at Texas by ten (3 fumbles lost by KSU to zero turnovers for Texas) and at ranked OSU by 4, with Lockett getting hurt in first half and Thompson not playing (and 5 turnovers to one and 92 penalty yards to 7). Also beat ranked TTU in Lubbock and smashed Kansas and Michigan to end the year. Again, at home that year they lost to an awesome Oklahoma team by 10, a really good baylor team by ten without both of KSU's good receivers, and NDSU.
Iowa State 2014: Yes, this team was bad. But we beat them at their place by 20, and definitely called the dogs off in the 4th quarter. Also of note: Number 7 Baylor beat ISU by 21 that year. Ranked OSU beat them 17. Ranked Kansas state beat them by 4. They lost at texas by 3 (and got screwed by refs if I remember right). They won at Iowa. Lost by 3 to TTU and 13 to WVU. Bottom line is this team was terrible, but we smashed them, just like a top 25 team should, putting up over 500 yards offense despite taking foot off the gas.
2016 Iowa. Jury is still out on this Iowa team, but I won’t be surprised if 21 is fewest they score all year and they end of up with some nice wins. Crushed them in total yards, TOP, etc.
Putting Kansas aside, those other three teams that were bad we get little credit for beating, but it is not like we won by 1 point in those games. And that Kansas State team was not mediocre. Nobody discredits any FBS team when they win by 2tds or more on the road against a P5 or MWC opponent, even if those teams are bad.
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Originally Posted by Hammerhead
