Iowa State Cyclones - Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction
The Cyclones enter the Big 12 season coming off a tough loss to the Toledo Rockets last week in the Glass Bowl. Iowa State blew an 11 point lead with a little more than five minutes to go in the game. If you take away the debacle at the end of the game it was probably ISU’s best effort of the year. Nebraska narrowly escaped in Lincoln last week, winning 41-40 when Ball State missed a field goal with no time remaining. Sam Keller threw for 438 yards and 3 TD in the victory.
If Iowa State is going to compete in the Big 12 the silly mistakes need to stop. The offense and defense seem to get better every week, but breakdowns on special teams continue to haunt the Cyclones.
The Cyclones should be able to move the ball on the Cornhuskers. Nebraska gives up 29 points per game and has the 99th ranked defense against the run. The ISU coaches have challenged the running backs to make people miss this week. I expect a good effort from JJ Bass and Alexander Robinson in this game. Bret Meyer had his best game last week and he should continue his strong play against a defense that gave up 422 yards last Saturday to Ball State quarterback Nate Davis.
The Cyclones have the 22nd ranked defense in the nation and have limited opponents to 164 yards in the air. The secondary will be tested this week by the potent Nebraska passing game. Marlon Lucky has accounted for much of the Cornhusker offense averaging 115 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards per game. The Cyclone defense must force turnovers to have a chance to win in Lincoln for the first time in 30 years.
Iowa State lost the game last Saturday due to special teams gaffes. Nebraska doesn’t appear to be a juggernaut on special teams, but neither was Toledo. I imagine the ISU coaches spent extra time on special teams fundamentals this past week.
The Cyclones are a 21 point underdog in this game. I think the spread is way too high, but I see most “experts” are picking Nebraska to win by a similar spread. I have a feeling this game will be decided in the final few minutes, but I am picking Nebraska to win. A missed extra point will be the margin of victory.
Prediction: Nebraska 31 Iowa State 30
Cyclone Standouts:
JJ Bass 28 carries, 156 yards, 2 TD
Bret Meyer 310 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Allen Bell 2 INT
Fans prediction to win the game at the time of this post:
Iowa State 61%
Nebraska 39%
The Athletic Departments New Identity - We are Iowa State
Director of Athletics, Jamie Pollard, unveiled a new graphics identity for the Iowa State athletic programs at a press conference earlier today. He also showed off the new home and away uniforms and helmets the football team will wear during the 2008 season.
When I heard the news that Iowa State would be announcing a new graphics identity at the press conference, I had a pretty good feeling the I STATE logo was going to be picked. The I STATE logo was the only logo of the three that would work as a graphics identity. The ISU logo was pretty basic and the cursive Cyclones was pretty weak. I look forward to seeing the I STATE logo in the middle of the football field and at mid-court for basketball. It will also look sharp on the wrestling singlets.
If the I STATE logo was going to be the new graphics identity for the athletic program, it only stands to reason that the new logo would be on the new helmets too.
The curveball of the press conference was when Jamie announced the new helmet wouldn’t be white but cardinal. The fans spoke out against the white helmets that were originally proposed and the athletic department listened. The cardinal helmet looks better with the uniforms, but the new mark would have stood out better on a white helmet. I would recommend one tweak to the helmet - change the facemask from gray to gold or white.
The uniform choices are great. I really like IOWA STATE in bold letters across the chest and the piping around the shoulders. The road unis definitely look better with the cardinal pants.
The best thing about the new uniforms, helmet and logo -they are CARDINAL and GOLD - Iowa State’s school colors.
It is time for the Iowa State fan base to rally around the new look of the athletic programs. The new identity has been chosen and it isn’t going to change in the near future. I urge all Cyclone fans to embrace the changes whether you like them or not.
Update on Former Iowa State Cyclone Austin Flynn
The Pasadena Citizen in Houston, Texas recently had a nice write up on former Iowa State Cyclone football player Austin Flynn. He is currently the wide receiver/defensive back coach for South Houston High School. He hopes to one day be a head football coach.
Houston Community Newspapers - A Cyclone (player) hits South Houston
On April 12th he will marry his high school sweetheart Janna Skrabanek. She is in her second year as a cheerleader for the Houston Texans. She has her own page on the Texans website that includes a bio, photos, video and even a wallpaper. Check it out:
Houston Texans Cheerleaders - Janna Skrabanek
Cyclone Player of the Week (Week 4) - JJ Bass
The top vote getter in the Cyclone Player of the Week voting for week four with 46% of the vote is JJ Bass. The junior running back rushed for 134 yards on 34 carries and scored two touchdowns before leaving late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. Bass is the first two-time winner of the Cyclone of the Week Award, he also won the award in Week 1.
Bret Meyer finished in second place for the second consecutive week after throwing for 3 touchdowns and 251 yards. Todd Blythe and Alvin Bowen tied for third place with 12% of the vote.
Final Poll Results:
- RB JJ Bass 46%
- QB Bret Meyer 31%
- WR Todd Blythe 12%
- LB Alvin Bowen 12%
Cyclone Player of the Week:
Week 1 - JJ Bass
Week 2 - Marquis Hamilton
Week 3 - Bret Culbertson
Week 4 - JJ Bass
Stop back every week to www.isuisu.com to vote for the Cyclone Player of the Week.
Vote for the Iowa State Cyclones Player of the Game vs Toledo
Iowa State had some outstanding performances in the heartbreaking loss.
Who was the Iowa State Cyclones Player of the Week against Toledo?
Your vote will decide the winner. The poll can be found on the top right corner of the page. Voting will end Wednesday night at 6:00 PM.
Here are the four choices for the week:
- RB JJ Bass - (34 carries, 134 yards, 2 TD)
- WR Todd Blythe - (7 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD)
- LB Alvin Bowen - (9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT)
- QB Bret Meyer - (24-33, 251 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) (11 carries, 41 yards)
Congratulations to TE Derrick Catlett and WR Wallace Franklin for catching their first touchdown passes as Cyclones!
Stop back every week to www.isuisu.com to vote for the Cyclone Player of the Week.
