Due to time constraints, the intro paragraph for the Iowa State Cyclones season preview will be pre-empted. We will now join the Iowa State season preview already in progress.
Iowa State to get EXCITED! ALL CAPS! Well, they really should push around their hated in state rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes in week two. So enjoy the Cy-Vee Classic or the Hum-Vee shootout or whatever it’s called Saturday night, Sept 14th. The Iowa State red zone defense was uncharacteristically great I guess. They were 99th in pass defense, 75th against the rush, 94th in total defense. And their turnover margin was exactly net zero. Eevn Stephen, so how did they end up 38th in points allowed? They were bend but don’t break. They yielded a lot of yards, but not points. What will happen in the quarterback position now? It’s a bit more settled than years past. Actually, this team really isn’t that good I don’t know why I ranked them so high?
Oh that’s right, the schedule lends itself to 3-4 automatic wins.
The punter and kicker should both be very good. I know, how exciting! Iowa State fans, you may rule the Big 12…in special teams.
Iowa State reasons to be worried :( Their overall yardage per game numbers were horrific last season. But hey, at least they were balanced: 94th in total defense. 92nd in total offense. So there’s that! 85th in scoring offense, 99th in passing defense. The OL is a potential train wreck; the right side returns, but the left side is wide open. And they were only average to begin with. WRs will probably not live up to their potential. They don’t have as much experience as you think they do. There’s quite a bit of talent turnover in the skill positions. As great as their punter is, Cyclones fans see him way too often. He led the league with 77 attempts last year.
Iowa State key games: Look at their first three: 3-0 written all over it…if, and this is a big if, they can upset Tulsa. we learn if there’s anything to this team or not Oct 3rd vs Texas. Their Big 12 schedule will certainly yield an under .500 showing. Good luck with that!
Iowa State bottom line: 5-7 to 7-5ish with an appearance in a fourth tier bowl. Maybe. 8 wins plus a bowl victory defines rousing success in 2013. And/or a +500 conference record. But don’t get your hopes up, this team doesn’t really do anything that well. Aside from the punting!
the 2013 College Football rankings 1-51
#76 Kansas Jayhawks
#70 Minnesota Golden Gophers
#67 Indiana Hoosiers
#64 Iowa Hawkeyes
#58-#52, due to time constraints, were skipped.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. (“Quasi-endorsed” by Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly) He’s also an author who contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
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