2009

[ISUCC]

ok, so 2008 ends 0-12, losing streak is at 26 games and counting (a longer losing streak than the last one that ended in 2006).

So, do all the players come back in 2009? Who leaves? Does Schmidtke stay? Signing day isn't until Feb. of 2009, so we really don't know who the new players will be. (except for a few like the King kid from Rockville). Is Lee Tilley, the Auburn transfer, enrolled at ISU yet? Will he play in 2009?

And the 2009 schedule, any of you insiders know who the 11th game will be??

ISU plays at Louisville, at home vs. Eastern Illinois, (I'm assuming this series continues), and of course has the 8 MVFC games. (Home vs. SIU, WIU, NDSU, and YSU - wow, THAT is a difficult home schedule people).

That's 5 home games, myself, I hope ISU schedules another home game vs. a REALLY weak I-AA team EARLY in the season to give ISU a shot at an early season win to put an end to the misery.

Let's hear what you all think?

 

[ISUCC]

and we have our answer, the 2009 schedule should look like this

home games
Quincy (D-II) (story link with info LINK )
EIU
WIU
SIU
YSU
NDSU

road games
Louisville
Illinois State
Missouri State
Northern Iowa
S. Dakta St.

I am sure some will groan about playing a D-II team, but when you can't win, you gotta look for a possible win somewhere. ISU isn't going to be threatening to make the I-AA playoffs in 2009, so the D-II match up won't hurt. And a win (if they do actually win that game) to start the season would sure be a morale builder.

And look at that schedule too, THAT is not an easy schedule by any means.

here's to a good off season of hard work and another great recruiting class for 2009. And to the seniors who stuck it out for all 4 years, thanks for your superior dedication, even though ISU didn't win much, you helped lay the foundation for better days ahead.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

Let's look back at Dr. Lou's four steps to rebuilding a program. In case you don't remember, this is from a segment that Lou Holtz did at the beginning of this season, specifically in reference to his son, Skip, at East Carolina. It's certainly is germaine for our Sycamores, too.

1. You have to teach the kids to compete - they must be able to compete for 60 minutes every game. Until you get this, nothing else good will happen. After watching our team for the past 5 weeks, I'd say - TASK ACCOMPLISHED.

2. You have to teach the kids how to win - that's the reason we lost yesterday. They just don't know how to win a game. This will be a big hurdle to get over, but I have no doubt that Miles & Co. will whip this task next season.

3. You have to teach the kids to expect to win - not just lip service, but an actual, palpable expectation. You cannot move to #4 until you master #3.

4. You have to teach them how to win championships - self-explanatory...

We accomplished task number one. Miles has a group of kids who are in the game for 60 minutes. Once they figured that out, we stopped getting blown out by 70 points. Progress has been made, my friends. And we'll take the next step (or two) in 2009. Sycamore football is coming back!!!!

:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores:

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Well said, ITF, well said.:sycamores:

 

[bent20]

Saw this in the Tribstar story:

ISU is scheduled to start next season’s schedule at home against Division II Quincy.

Here is Quincy's 2008 results:

http://www.quincy.edu/Athletics/MFootball/schedule.php

Looks like a team we should be able to beat. In fact, we better beat them. There is no excuse for losing to a team like that. So the losing streak should end at the start of the season and hopefully we can build momentum from there and win some conference games. We seem to be on the rise while some other schools in the conference are falling on harder times.

 

[Lights Out]

It should be a win. They graduated their leading rusher and leading reciever this past season. Their best WR was former IU standout James Bailey. Their roster has alot of transfers. Their QB is a former ISU Redbird. Should make for an interesting game, but hopefully a win!!

 

[btisu22]

Sycamores win 4 games next year. Just a gut feeling.

 

[ISUCC]

the bottom 5 teams in the MVFC will be way down in 2009, and EIU wasn't as good as some had predicted this past season, so there is potential for 3-4 wins in 2009, but remember how optimistic some of us were heading into this season and we all know what happened. Once the team wins that 1st game then we'll see what happens after that.

Sycamores win 4 games next year. Just a gut feeling.

 

[btisu22]

the bottom 5 teams in the MVFC will be way down in 2009, and EIU wasn't as good as some had predicted this past season, so there is potential for 3-4 wins in 2009, but remember how optimistic some of us were heading into this season and we all know what happened. Once the team wins that 1st game then we'll see what happens after that.

I predicted one this past season and missed. Said maybe 2-3....thought one.

 

[Cap'n Cat]

Sycamores win 4 games next year. Just a gut feeling.

Agreed, and one of them will be a shocker. NDSU? YSU?

 

[ISUCC]

IF ISU were to beat YSU next season I would not call it a shocker by any means, ISU was up 21-7 AT YSU this year, only to get outscored 28-0 and lose 35-21. YSU plays at ISU next year. If the team progresses like we all hope they do, then a win over a YSU team that had a deplorable season (and 2009 doesn't look much better) could be predicted.

Agreed, and one of them will be a shocker. NDSU? YSU?

 

[Cap'n Cat]

IF ISU were to beat YSU next season I would not call it a shocker by any means, ISU was up 21-7 AT YSU this year, only to get outscored 28-0 and lose 35-21. YSU plays at ISU next year. If the team progresses like we all hope they do, then a win over a YSU team that had a deplorable season (and 2009 doesn't look much better) could be predicted.

I think you're right, CC.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

You know what's really sad? When I come to an ISU football thread to cheer myself up because the basketball team stinks so bad. How's that for irony. When does football season start???:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores: