Most of our post-game wrap-up from last night’s stunning upset by Iowa State over No. 2 Oklahoma State focused on the BCS race being broken wide open.
Rightfully so; a rematch in the BCS title suddenly becomes a very realistic option.
So we didn’t spend a lot of time giving the Cyclones and coach Paul Rhoads the credit that they deserve for that win. ISU by no means played perfect last night, but they did play with everything they had in the gas tank and managed to capitalize on Oklahoma State’s miscues. No matter the talent disparity -- and believe you me, it was there last night -- keep the game close for long enough and any team has a chance to win.
That’s why, year after year, the Cyclones pull out a win no one thought they’d get. There are few teams in college football who play as hard for their coach as Iowa State does for Rhoads. It was evident in 2009 after ISU’s upset of Nebraska, and it’s evident today. Just watch Rhoads’ emotional post-game speech after defeating the Cowboys.
If I were a recruit with any D1 talent, any smidgen of athleticism good enough for the highest level of college football, I’d play for Paul Rhoads.
It’s always been about the players for Rhoads. Lost in the BCS implications littered throughout Jack Trice Stadium like fans storming the field was the fact that it was senior night. Win or lose, that was the last game those seniors would ever play on their campus and Rhoads made sure to address that.
That’s why his players love him. That’s why they give him every last ounce of effort they have available -- and then some. That’s why we’re here talking about BCS shakeups.
Because Paul Rhoads is SO PROUD to be Iowa State’s coach.