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2-14 in Big 12 play is probably a better barometer of how miserably Iowa State has played over the past 2 years. And it hasn't been the result of bad luck either. ISU is #badword#can city for 07-08. They have averaged fewer than 20 points per game in league play over the past 2 years in the defense optional Big 12 while surrendering nearly 39 per game.
How bad is 2-14? It is taking the very worst conference years of the Tuberville era (99 or this year) and following it with an Ed Orgeron-like awfulness -- a winless conference season.
And all this was accomplished while the only Big 12 North teams achieving any sort of consistency were perennial weak sisters Mizzou and Kansas. Nebraska was in the midst of a coaching change, as was Colorado. Kansas State just fired its coach. As many have pointed out ISU had the easiest possible Big 12 schedule this season and failed to win a single game. The combination of unprecendented flux in the division and a relatively benign scheule results in Chizik's teams scraping the very bottom of the barrel. And getting absolutely blown out along the way.
Some more numbers: 56-3; 59-17; 52-20; and 35-7. Iowa State has been on the short end of each of these scores over the past two seasons. How about 38-10? That is the score of this year's Iowa State game with 4-8 Baylor. That's right, Baylor. That game was on the road, however, so it is probably unfair to point it out. The 49-35 home loss to 4-8 Texas A & M is more comforting. Thank goodness for the garbage time touchdown that cut the deficit under 20.
I did not want Tuberville replaced, but I see (just do not accept as persuasive) the argument that perhaps he was past his peak of effectiveness. But that argument only makes sense in a vacuum. It is senseless in the context of Auburn's current leadership and the environment that new person would face. Now Auburn is going to pay in the neighborhood of $4 million extra dollars this football season to replace a proven SEC warhorse, Tom Tuberville, with a Big 12 never was, Gene Chizik.
I set my expectations low in this coaching search, and I sit here marveling at the ability of Auburn's alleged athletics leadership to disappoint me bitterly nevertheless. These folks have a knack for the spectacular.
I am Auburn to the core and will gladly eat these words if Chizik surprises -- just as I would have eaten my words on Tony Franklin. And even if Coach Chizik's performance goes as his history suggest it will -- wery poorly, I will still watch and cheer the Tigers. But putting aside issues of race and politics for the sake of argument -- this move makes less than zero football sense. It is profoundly #badword#ing stupid. And that is not hyperbole in my view.
Chizik is a proven coordinator, but so is Norm Chow -- except Norm Chow has no proven record of abject failure as a head coach.
This has disaster written all over it.
