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SB Nation 2009 Big 12 Preview - Iowa State

Mark Kieffer — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:53:05 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

2009 marks the beginning of the Paul Rhoads era at ISU

The SB Nation 2009 Big 12 Preview will post Friday, at Ralphie Report. This is a high level preview of Iowa State, and my conference predictions. If you have been reading my more detailed Iowa State and Big 12 previews, this will provide a summary of what you've been reading.If you are new to the site, welcome and enjoy your stay at Clone Chronicles!

Offense (9 Returning Starters):

The offense should be a strength for the Cyclones. The Cyclones have an entirely new coaching staff, with Tom Herman (formerly of Rice) as the new OC. The Cyclones are going to be running a no-huddle spread offense, and having seen Herman's track record, many believe (or at least hope) that the Cyclones will be able to put up some serious points. The one thing we learned about the Big 12 last year, is that you have to score if you want to win.

Passing: The Cyclones offense will be lead by returning starting QB, Austen Arnaud, a junior from Ames, IA. In 2008 Arnaud completed 61% of his passes, threw for for 2792 yards, 15 TDs, and 10 INTs. Arnaud also ran for 400 yards and scored 5 TDs on the ground. Arnaud will be joined by a young, but talented receiving corps., lead by Sophomore WR Darius Darks (2nd on the team last year as a True Freshmen with 49 Catches), JUCO-Transfer Darius Reynolds, Sophomore Sedrick Johnson, and Senior Marquis Hamilton. One can expect to see the Cyclones run 3 and 4 WR sets, as WR is the deepest position on the offense. Not to be forgotten is Senior TE, Derrick Catlett who caught 20 passes for 230 yards in 2008.

Running: The running game has been a somewhat hot topic for Cyclones fans this offseason. Returning starter Alexander Robinson, a Junior from Minneapolis, is believed to be the starting RB. Herman likes to use the RB as a receiver, and Robinson has the hands as he caught 17 passes for 160 yards in 2008, slightly down from 20 he caught in 2007. The running back corps also has Bo Williams a transfer from Florida, and Jeremiah Schwartz, a Redshirt Freshmen entering his first season. Williams has a bruising running style, but it is not clear if he has the hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. Schwartz is a change-of-pace back who is quick and can elude tacklers. True Freshmen Beau Blankenship has reportedly done well in camp, but I would not be suprised to see him redshirt.

Offensive Line: The Cyclones offensive line was the achillies heel of the offense. This is obviously not the spot you want to have your major weakness. It's also not surprising when you have the skill position talent the Cyclones have, but only win 2 games the year before. The big move on the offensive line is All-Big 12 Caliber Senior OG Reggie Stephens has moved to C, and Junior C Alex Alvarez will move to OG. The good news about this group is there is a lot of experience, as 4 of the starters return from last year. The 5th starter is an uncertainty at this point (at least to me). There appears to be a hole at OT, and I've heard names such as Keleichi Osemele, Hayworth Hicks, Zack Spears, and others. The unit is looking to be one of the largest in College Football, averaging 320+lbs. Bottom line is this: the OL was weak last year, and there is a lot of returning experience coming back. The hope is that these guys can improve and stay healthy, as there isn't a lot of depth. If the OL can just get to below-average, instead of bad, the Cyclones could have a nice season offensively.

Key Additions: JUCO WR Darius Reynolds, RB Schwartz (redshirt off), RB Bo Williams (transfer from Florida)

Key Losses: WR RJ Sumrall, OT Doug Dedrick, C Mike Knapp

What you can expect to see from the Cyclones is 75-80% passing, and lots of short dump passes. With a weaker OL, there won't be many running lanes, and Arnaud won't have a lot of time to make deep throws. The Big 12 can put up points, and the defenses will be questionable. If the Cyclones are going to win games, it will have to be done by putting up a lot of points through the air.

Defense (6 Returning Starters)

The Cyclones defense was a disaster last year, allowing almost 36 points per game, 453 yards of offense (277 passing, 176 rushing), and I wouldn't be surprised if they lead the nation in missed tackles. New DC Wally Burnham is a czar at stopping spread offenses, and he will have his work cut out for him with this group.

Defensive Line: Last year the Defensive Line was a weak link for the Cyclones, as evidenced by the rushing yards allowed. The guys got pushed around on running plays, and on passing plays could not put pressure on the QB. This year's group is led by Seniors DE Rashawn Parker and DT Nate Frere. Numerous names have been thrown out there for the other DE and DT spot, and I will not even try to speculate. Frere and Parker are good players, but if the other 2 guys aren't as productive, it will be easy for opposing linemen to double these guys, and run the ball away from them.

Linebackers: The linebacking group had it's fair share of problems as well. There were a lot of missed tackles in the open field, which attributed for longer gains on the ground and after the catch. Seniors MLB Jesse Smith and OLB Fred Garrin will lead the group. Adding JUCO OLB Matt Taufoou will hopefully improve the unit drastically.

Secondary: By looking at the stats last year, one would make the conclusion that ISU's secondary was horrible, but that wasn't necessarily the case. The DL not being able to put pressure on the QB, gave opposing QBs plenty of time to find holes in the zone. Sophomore CB Leonard Johnson has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the Big 12, while Senior CB Kennard Banks (who was injured a lot of last year) is a solid player. DC Wally Burnham has even said that these two guys will allow for the Cyclones to be able to mix up coverages and even blitz. The rest of the unit will include JUCO SS David Sims, and Senior FS James Smith.

Overall, I'd expect to see the Cyclones defense find creative ways to put pressure on the QB. Last year, the staff was all about staying in a base defense, and hoping the DL would somehow get good over the course of the season, as we saw very little blitzing. I think Burnham understands that you have to find a way to pressure the QB, especially in the Big 12. You take a risk when you blitz, but if the DL can't put on pressure, you have to find other ways to do it. If the Cyclones can find ways to put pressure, and the team can improve their tackling, this could be an average defense (instead of a defense ranked in the triple digits).

Key Additions: JUCO LB Matt Taufoou, JUCO SS David Sims

Key Departures: DE Kurtis Taylor, DT Michael Tate, LB Michael Bibbs, SS Brandon Hunley

Special Teams (4 Returning Starters)

To avoid being confusing, I am not including the FG protection, Punt protection, Kickoff Coverage, etc. When I talk Special Teams in this section, I am talking about K, P, KR, and PR.

Once an area that haunted the 'Clones under McCarney, Special Teams was a bright spot for ISU last year. All Big 12 Caliber P Mike Brandtner returns for his Senior Year, and strong legged K Grant Mahoney comes back for his Sophomore Year. Mahoney has the range (48 was his longest FG), but needs to improve on his 68% accuracy.

Last year Leonard Johnson has a great year returning kicks, averaging a little over 26 yards per return. It is unclear whether Johnson will be returning Kicks and/or Punts this season, and from the reports from camp, WR Darius Reynolds could be seeing some action as a return man as well. Regardless of who's returning, it's going to be an explosive and talented group.

Overall, I look for ISU to have one of the best Special Teams Units in All of the Big 12, and that is something I didn't think I'd ever say about ISU a few years ago.

Season Forecast:

Big 12 North:

Nebraska: 6-2 (9-3 overall)
Kansas: 5-3 (9-3 overall)
Missouri: 4-4 (7-5 overall)
Kansas State: 3-5 (6-6 overall)
ISU: 2-6 (6-6 overall)
Colorado: 1-7 (4-8 overall)

Big 12 South:

Oklahoma: 8-0 (12-0 overall)
Texas: 7-1 (11-1 overall)
Texas Tech: 5-3 (8-4 overall)
Oklahoma State: 5-3 (8-4 overall)
Baylor: 1-7 (4-8 overall)
Texas A&M: 1-7 (4-8 overall)

Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Nebraska

National Championship Game: Oklahoma over Alabama

For more reading on my ISU Projections:

Part 1: 2009 Predictions: Iowa State - First Quarter

Part 2: 2009 Predictions: Iowa State - Second Quarter

Part 3: 2009 Predictions: Iowa State - Third Quarter

Part 4: 2009 Predictions: Iowa State - Fourth Quarter

For more reading on my Big 12 Projections:

Part 1: 2009 Predictions: Big 12 - First Quarter

Part 2: 2009 Predictions: Big 12 - Second Quarter

Part 3: 2009 Predictions: Big 12 - Third AND Fourth Quarter

Personal Ads for the Iowa State Cyclones

Oops Pow Surprise — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:32:39 -0000

It's ISU Week, which means we need to do something to make fun of those poor kids to the west. Thus, by popular demand, the Personal Ads from ISU Week 2008. How come you ain't call Shaft Dicksteel back, girl?

We at BHGP are nothing if not considerate, and when we heard some of the Cyclones were looking for love, well, we knew we had no choice but to introduce them all to you, our readers. If you have an open heart or know someone who does, send them over here, and maybe--just maybe--we can take that "lone" out of "Cyclone."

Oh, and click on all of these for the hi-res versions. They're so, so worth it.

Dr. Cuddlekins -- 6'4", 322

Hi everyone! I enjoy lying on the soft grass here at Jack Trice -- hopefully with my soulmate!! ^_^ -- and just thinking. Thinking about breakfast, life, lunch, football, dinner, and teddy bears. I give the best hugs in the world, and hopefully you'll hug me back and not call campus security. I also have a tough side too--I'm too big not to! Check out my barbed wire tattoo and my goatee! But don't worry, I don't bite....UNLESS YOU ASK!!! lol Either way, I'm #60 on Saturdays, and if you want to talk, just yell down at me. The stadium is cemetery-quiet and Coach C benched me after I spent all of last season getting run over on the football field. I guess that's where I got the habit of lying down and thinking! Hope to talk to you soon!!! xoxoxo

Captain Party Balls -- 6'4", 301

Whoa, you caught me! I was just goofin' around with the pigskin! I'm a real party guy, as you can probably tell!!! Do you like my picture? I stole it from my favorite athlete and TV star, Hulk "The Hulkster" Hogan. The big boot! So sweet. As for me, I like just hangin out with the bros, watchin sports, and pounding a six pack, just for fun! One time I went to an amusment park! Anyway, they call me the "Life of the Party," and I bet it's easy to see why! There's nothing I won't do! One time I walked around at a kegger with a lampshade on my head, and I only had like 2 beers when I put it on! Sometimes I'll raise my hand in class, and then tell the prof I don't know! Another time I stuck a Nalgene bottle up my asscrack! Most of all I like playing football--WITH THE CYCLOOOOONES!--where we are about to win us a national title or 10. Coach Cheezit (LMAO) lets me play, even though I've never even opened my playbook! He says I'm a good teammate, so what do you say... you and me can be "teammates with benefits"!! I'll even put it in your "end zone"!! And you can put it in "mine"!! PEACE OUT.

Freak Nasty -- 6'1, 234

Let me be clear--I am not interested in the ordinary. I am a very specific lover, and if you are my type of girl, I will rock your world so hard your pants won't even fit anymore. I don't even know what that means. First things first--we're going to get wild. There will be scented oils, whips, and this dolphin-looking dildo one girl left behind last year. We're gonna get good, real good. This you know, and this you want. Those who should not apply: The small, the tall, the shaved and unbathed. Be Freak Nasty's girl, and Freak Nasty will freak you nasty all night long. Bring your own towels.

Deepthroat Jones -- 6'1", 202

What up bitches??? You ever fucked a baller? You ever fucked two ballers at the same time? We can get down like that. We can do that tonight. Like I ain't never fucked a girl just because someone else all up in her mouth. You wanna meet my boy? Hey, get over here. I got someone who wants to meet you.

Shaft Dicksteel & Deepthroat Jones -- 5'9", 170 & 6'1", 202

YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH! Don't he look like Usher?? What do you say? You wanna get down with us? We ain't no tag team--tag teams take turns. And we prefer biggins, cause a "biggin" is already used to having two Gs up in it. You're goddamn right we get down like that. ALL DAY with that Eiffel Tower. You know what I'm talking about. POW! We go front and back, we'll go two deep in that ass, we'll even run an elephant chain you if you're down. You say the word, and we'll get as many homeboys in here as you want. Except for that Cuddlekins cat, he's kind of fucked up and he just sucks on toes all the time. Otherwise, we will pound that ass like it's keepin' secrets. Lemme know.