Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says the coaches need to work on building the Cyclones level of confidence this week. ISU is coming off a 68-27 loss to 10th rated Utah and this week will be on the road to tangle with sixth ranked Oklahoma. Rhoads says after a defeat like they had, you have to try and pick up the team’s spirits and tell them they have to move on, but he says that’s easier said than done.
Rhoads says the team knows it is capable of playing well, but has to go out on game day and play with a spirit and energy that they lost Saturday night. Rhoads says running back Alexander Robinson is making progress but remains doubtful for Saturday’s game. Robinson suffered a foot injury in their game against Utah.
Rhoads says Robinson was running in the swimming pool today, but he is still day-by-day. Rhoads doubts Robinson will be ready for the Sooners. “If I had to guess right now and at best it would be limited if he is healthy and ready to play,” Rhoads said.
Rhoads says the game plan won’t change based on Robinson’s availability. He says the game plan and preparation will be the same with Shontrelle Johnson and Jeff Woody in the backfield. Rhoads says Robinson has been more of a pass catching back, but that’s because he’s been in the game and used that way. Oklahoma is the second straight I.S.U. opponent to coming off a bye week and Rhoads says the Cyclones could use one, themselves, right now.
Rhoads says it would be good, or even last week with where they are at in the season. He says the problem is that you don’t get to pick the open date and where your team is going to be at that point.
Iowa State is 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.