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2007 Iowa State Cyclones Football Preview & Predictions

Now take a look at our 2008 Iowa State Football Predictions!

Jimmy Boyd's 2007 Iowa State Cyclones football preview and predictions doesn't show a whole lot of hope for head coach Greg Chizik's first year with the program. The problem we see with this team more than any other is their schedule. Besides the yearly rivalry game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Cyclones have to travel to Nebraska and Texas Tech before hosing Texas and Oklahoma. They then travel to Missouri before a final three game stretch of winnable games. The problem is by that time what are the players going to be thinking after what should be a six-game losing streak and some serious beatings along the way. There is some senior talent, but this isn't going to be a year where these guys go out in style.

Last year was supposed to be a breakout year for this offense, but the team sputtered to an output of only 18.8 ppg and 317 ypg. Even though four players are all that return, the nucleus remained intact with quarterback Bret Meyer and Todd Blythe looking to become known as some of the best Cyclones at their respective positions. Meyer had a down year though with only 2,546 yards passing and 12 touchdowns to go with 12 picks. He's going to have to find someone besides Blythe because teams are going to be all over his favorite target, who had eight touchdowns but only 34 catches a year ago. The running game has been non-existent for two years now and that has also limited the passing game. There are three guys trying to lock down the starting role, and as of now none of them have emerged and it's doubtful any will become stars behind a line that is breaking in four new faces.

With one of the worst defenses in football, the 2006 Cyclones allowed nearly 31 ppg and 392 ypg. Those numbers should be better with a guy like Chizik who was responsible for this side of the ball on good teams at Texas and Auburn. The line will be breaking in a stable of junior college transfers, but at linebacker the team has a star in Alvin Bowen, who led the nation with 12.9 tackles per game while racking up 155 overall. A couple more junior college transfers will be asked to make an immediate impact with Michael Bibbs at linebacker and Allen Bell at either safety or corner. The team will get a few players back from 2006 injuries, but if they are going to surprise anyone this side of the ball needs to allow fewer yards and make more big plays.

Not a lot of people will focus on Iowa State with their college football betting this year, but these kinds of teams normally offer the best kind of value. Since the public doesn't bet on them, the college football odds aren't set real tight on them. The sportsbooks stand to lose a lot more on marquee teams, and that is why our college football picks not only include big games but also teams that are falling under the radar. If you want to win and win big, then join the handicapping team that has only one thing on our minds, clients profits.

July 24th, 2007