2008 Iowa State Cyclones Football Predictions

Gene Chizik was 3-9 in his first year as Iowa State head man, and the program will likely have to take another step backwards with the graduation of starting QB Brett Meyer. However, a soft schedule without Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech gives the Cyclones some hope. Jimmy Boyd gives his take on the upcoming season in his 2008 Iowa State Cyclones predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

After 48 consecutive starts from 2004 through last season from Bret Meyers, Iowa State will need to find a new signal caller. Sophomores Austen Arnaud and Philip Bates will duke it out to see who replaces the long-time starter. Arnaud, a local boy, is the favorite. The scouting report is that he is more mobile than Meyer with a better arm. Bates worked at receiver last season, but will move back to QB to be the back up if he can't land the starting job. Whoever takes over under center will inherit an experienced line which broke in four new starters last year. The backfield is stocked and a running attack figures to be the direction that Chizik will move in. Senior Jason Scales and sophomore Alexander Robinson will get the bulk of the carries. Senior J.J. Bass will also contribute. Scales starred against Nebraska last season with 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Robinson combines power and agility in his running style. His 23 pass receptions last season show that he could be a force as a receiver coming out of the backfield also. With Todd Blythe gone, Iowa State's all-time receptions leader, the Cyclones will lean on R.J. Sumrall as their go-to guy. He led ISU with 54 grabs last season. 6'3'' junior Marquis Hamilton caught 45 passes for 534 yards last season and will be a solid red zone option on fade patterns.

Defense

Chizik was a former defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas and he knows the quickest way to a turnaround is to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive ends Kurtis Taylor and Rashawn Parker have quick first steps and figure to be tough for opposing tackles to contain. The interior defense is not shored up by any means and that could be a major weak spot in the defense. The linebacker corps is the heart and soul of the defense with Alvin Bowen and Jon Banks, last year's two leading tacklers, leading the way. The secondary should be much better this season with two-year starter Chris Singleton locking up the right corner spot and free safety James Smith providing strong reads and run support.

Special Teams

Return man R.J. Sumrall is a big time threat to go the distance any time he takes a kick. The place kicking game has long been a problem for the Cyclones and after a spring drills a solid option as still not emerged.

Prediction – 6th Big 12 North

The defense will improve, but Chizik is going to need a couple more season to bring in some more talent. Breaking in a new QB also figures to produce growing pains for Iowa State.  You'll see Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas State all beat the Cyclones.

Jimmy Boyd's 2008 college football predictions will help you get a head start on the upcoming season. Make sure you consult Jimmy's NCAA football picks for the most winners all season long.

June 18th, 2008