2007 Iowa State Cyclones College Football Predictions & Picks


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Iowa State is picked to finish last in the Big 12 by most experts despite having a senior quarterback in Bret Meyer. Meyer had a great start to his career, but took a step back last year. He needs to bounce back to avoid a disappointing finish to his career. He already is the school’s career leading in total offense (7,979), passing yards (7,348) and touchdown passes (41), but has won only half of his 36 starts.

Bet our Iowa State Football Predictions at Bookmaker and get a 20% Signup Bonus and free premium college football picks from our handicappers!

Wide receiver Todd Blythe has been with Meyer since their freshman seasons. Blythe is looking for a big year after he also took a step back last season. He is one of the deadliest threats in the red zone if you stack him up against the rest of the Big 12 receivers. Meyer and Blythe are two solid players to build a team around, a luxury the offensive line lacks. It returns just one starter.

Junior guard Tom Schmeling is the most experienced of the group with eight career starts. Junior college transfers are likely to see playing time up front, as well as in the backfield. Newcomer J.J. Bass is a contender to win the starting tailback job, along with returners Jason Scales and Jason Harris. Scales is larger, Harris is fast, but Bass is a combination of both. New head coach Gene Chizik from Texas likes more of what Bass brings to the table after spring ball.

Chizik knows a thing or two about defense. The Cyclones were as bad as a team could be a year ago, allowing 31 points per game. Injuries and inexperience contributed to their struggles, but there is work to be done to make this a respectable unit. Chizek wants this unit to be fast and physical, and Alvin Bowen has led by example in these categories. Bowen led the Big 12 in tackles (155) in his first season as a starter. Players need to fly around like Bowen to be more productive as a whole.

Drills have been intense and the action quick to get this defense up to speed. Key players returning from injury are linebacker Adam Carper, end Kurtis Taylor and safety James Smith. 320-pound nose guard, Ahtyba Rubin, anchors the line, but the Cyclones hope to get help from a trio of junior college transfers at tackle and end. The secondary ranked 101st in passing defense last year and needs to improve in big strides. A healthy Smith will help, but cornerback Chris Singleton needs to show why he got playing time as a true freshman.

Chizik, a respected defensive coordinator at Texas and Auburn, has proven himself to be a winner and a difference-maker. His team’s success in 2007 will ride on newcomers in the offensive line and defensive lines, as well as the running back position. The Cyclones have some talent at a quarterback, receiver and linebacker, but not enough as a whole to improve significantly. Chizik’s ability to coach a team will have to be judged from 2008 and on. But ties with the state of Texas will help recruiting tremendously for Iowa State football.

Related Articles You May Be Interested In:

Filed Under College Football