Gridiron

Friday, September 24, 2010 >> Iowa State vs. University of Northern Iowa >> Kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday >> an Iowa State Daily sports supplement

6

Gameday preview: Check out both teams’ lineups, stats

10

Big 12 preview A quick look around the Big 12

Leaders on field

9

Northern Iowa:

Find out about the in-state rival

12

Picks:

Daily writers pick the week’s winners

Four captains direct Cyclones

CAPTAINS.p2 >>

2 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Iowa State’s Rashawn Parker lines up with the Cyclone’s defense during the game against Kansas State on Saturday. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

Players’ paths meet on the football field under common goal

By David.Merrill @iowastatedaily.com They stood at midfield, arms and fingers interlaced, waiting for the silver coin to land in their favor.

They are the chosen ones, the ones the team feels it can turn to in times of turmoil and share joy with in times of jubilation.

Captains Austen Arnaud, Michael O’Connell, Alexander Robinson and Rashawn Parker all took very different paths to get here, but their mission is the same.

You have Arnaud, whose hometown hero story has been written and talked about more times than you can count; Robinson, who gained his teammates’ respect for his work ethic and desire to improve his skills; Michael O’Connell, who went to high school in the town where people loathe the very colors he now dons; and Rashawn Parker, who is trying to make the most of a second chance.

Rashawn Parker Parker fights his way through the defense, making his way to the ball carrier.

Fighting is something Rashawn Parker is

used to doing.

It was almost a year ago that Parker’s college football career nearly came to an end in a 31-10 victory over Army.

“It was a play away from me and I was chasing from the Parker backside,” Parker said. “The wingback came up, my foot got caught on the grass, and I hit my knee and blew out my knee, pretty much.”

As soon as he went down, Parker knew there was something seriously wrong with his knee.

He described the pain as excruciating, and he was hardly able to walk. This began a long rehab process that kept Parker off the field and not as involved with the team as he would have liked.

Luckily for Parker, the NCAA granted him a medical hardship, allowing him to compete for one more season as a Cyclone.

“It was tough just not being able to be out there with my teammates and watching every day at practice,” Parker said. “Then just going back to the game and being on the sidelines, and I was just trying to be a coach on the sideline and

LEADERS.p4 >>

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4 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

“He knows the defense and knows what they’re going to get and what the tempo is going to be like, and kind of prepares them for games that way,” Bray said.

Bray said it is Parker’s effort and experience that makes him an effective and productive right end.

“I just want to go out this year and have fun and make some memories and find some closure with the game,” Parker said. “I want to be a great teammate and great leader and make plays for this team, but the biggest thing is I just want to have fun and enjoy this last semester of football.”

>>LEADERS.p2

be a leader for the guys.

During the rehab process, Parker had plenty of support and prayers from his friends and family.

ISU defensive end coach Curtis Bray sympathized with Parker and made sure he didn’t rush back from the injury.

“I knew what he was going through because I’ve been there myself,” Bray said. “You’re going to have good days and you’re going to have days where you just don’t feel it. I understand that, and that’s the toughest part.”

As tough as that was for Parker, there are events in his past that have taught him some valuable life lessons.

A week before the opening game of his senior season at Ponca City High School in Ponca City, Okla., Parker learned that his grandmother — one of the biggest influences of his life — had passed away.

“That was one of the most trying times for me in my life,” Parker said.

“To me, you have more serious problems in life than you do in football.

Football is tough, and it teaches you a lot about life, but life is a lot harder than this game is.”

After much debate, Parker decided to play that game and dedicated it, as well as the rest of his senior season, to his grandmother and her memory.

Parker was productive early in his Cyclone career in 2006, earning

Iowa State’s Alexander Robinson tries to break away during the game against Kansas State on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

a starting spot. He made 31 straight starts before sustaining a knee injury last season.

With his second chance came the title of captain, a title that is earned through dedication and gaining the respect of the teammates and coaches.

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One of the most important attributes a captain must possess is being able to show his leadership qualities consistently.

“The hardest part of being a leader is just being vocal,” Parker said.

“When you feel tired, you can’t give in to it; you got to step up and be a leader

and carry the group.”

Parker’s leadership is evident, not just on the field, but in the video room as well.

Bray said that if younger guys have questions, they can go to Parker for advice and answers when Bray isn’t available.

Alexander Robinson The ball changes possession and Arnaud stands in the shotgun, flanked

by Robinson.

Get the call from the sideline, read the defense, make your scans based on a run or a pass play. Where Robinson are the linebackers?

Are the linebackers leaning or are they back on their heels? Are they keyed in on something with their eyes?

Which way are the safeties rotating? Are the corners peaking in the backfield?

There are times when players have to take what the defense gives them, but Robinson always wants

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

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“A lot of it comes from my dad,” Robinson said. “The most important thing he taught me is to never be satisfied, especially with sports — always getting better and always improving, just never being satisfied with what you’ve done.”

Robinson’s competitive drive has been evident since childhood.

Sean McMenomy, the head football coach at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, where Robinson starred as both a running back and cornerback, has known Robinson since sixth grade and recalls memories of his early track stardom.

“He was this little kid with huge glasses that ran past everybody,”McMenomy said.

Once he was on the football team at De La Salle, it didn’t take long for him to stand out among his teammates.

“He is the best leader that De La Salle has ever had,” McMenomy said. “He loves to play the game, and he always understood what was best for the team. He would do things on his own to make himself better, and he was always pushing other people to get better.”

McMenomy recalls his teammates just being drawn to him. He also credits his competitive nature and his overall warm personality to his family and the way he was raised.

“He played every play like it was his last,” McMenomy said. “He was a great role model and a guy that you wish you could have 22 of on the team. He makes us so proud and is an inspiration to both the students and faculty here.”

The only time McMenomy really saw Robinson upset was after a loss.

Things were no different for A-Rob when he started his ISU career in 2007. He came in and made an impact right away, totaling 465 yards on 118 carries.

Robinson continued to improve and had a productive year in 2009.

He finished third in the Big 12 and 25th nationally for rushing yards, averaging 99.6 yards

ISU captain Alexander Robinson is forced out of bounds by a Kansas State player during the Cyclones game Saturday in Arrowhead Stadium.

Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

a game.

Combine his skill on the field with his heady demeanor off the field and you get a person and a football player whom coaches and teammates respect. “[My favorite part] is just knowing that you have the respect of your teammates,” Robinson said. “It’s an honor to know that they look up to

LEADERS.p8 >>

6 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iow

UNI Defense 4 Varmah Sonie 5’9” 175 lbs Fr. CB

2010 Leaders Passing Arnaud, A.

Cmp Att Pct Yds Td Int 62 107 57.9 584 2 5

Rushing Car Yds Avg Long Td Robinson, A. 49 227 4.6 63 2 Arnaud, A.

36 104 2.9 12 1 Receiving Franklin, C.

Darks, D.

Robinson, A. Johnson, S. Williams, J.

32 James Conley 6’1” 204 lbs Jr. OLB

Rec Yds 14 143 11 100 10 91 8 60 7 64

Avg Long Td 10.2 34 0 9.1 16 1 9.1 23 0 7.5 15 0 9.1 16 1

90 Darren Branch 6’2” 250 lbs Jr. LE

18 Andre Martin 6’1” 203 lbs So. FS

45 Jamar Thompson 6’4” 205 lbs Sr. ILB

43 Ben Boothby 6’0” 280 lbs Jr. DT

10 Tre’Darrius Canady 5’11” 192 lbs Jr. SS

49 Shawn Gerard 6’3” 236 lbs Jr. ILB

Tackles Defense Solo Ast Total Sacks Klein, A.J. 11 25 36 Knott, J. 10 14 24

Sims, D. 9 8 17

Johnson, L. 9 6 15 Ruempolhamer, S. 5 10 15 1.0 Sandvig, Z. 8 6 14 Morton, M. 3 11 14 O’Connell, M. 6 7 13

56 August Hadenfeldt 6’4” 290 lbs Sr. RE

Iowa State 7 Iowa 35 Sept. 11

83 Jake Williams 6’2” 203 lbs Sr. WR

88 Collin Franklin 6’5” 253 lbs Sr. TE

79 Brayden Burris 6’6” 290 lbs So. RT

75 Hayworth Hicks 6’3” 330 lbs Jr. RG

Iowa State 20 Kansas State 27 Sept. 18

33 Alexander Robinson 5’9” 191 lbs Sr. RB

68 Ben Lamaak 6’4” 320 lbs Sr. C

4 Austen Arnaud 6’3” 230 lbs Sr. QB

77 Alex Alvarez 6’2” 305 lbs Sr. LG 72 Kelechi Osemele 6’5” 335 lbs Jr. LT

24 L.J. Fort 6’1” 228 lbs Jr. OLB

8 J.J. Swain 6’0” 170 lbs So. CB

Northern Illinois 10 Iowa State 27 Sept. 2

ISU Offense

6 Darius Darks 6’1” 189 lbs Jr. WR

12 Sedrick Johnson 6’3” 209 lbs Jr. WR1

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Oct. 2 Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State vs. Utah Oct. 9 Jack Trice Stadium

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Friday, September 24, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 7

UNI Offense 5 Terrell Sinkfield 6’1” 189 lbs So. WR

ISU Defense 23 Leonard Johnson 5’10” 195 lbs Jr. RCB

87 Schuylar Oordt 6’7” 246 lbs Sr. TE

72 Jay Teply 6’7” 328 lbs Jr. LT

69 Kaleb Admire 6’3” 298 lbs Jr. LG

10 Tirrell Rennie 6’2” 240 lbs Sr. QB

1 Carlos Anderson 6’1” 223 lbs Sr. RB

20 Jake Knott 6’2” 240 lbs So. WLB 29 Rashawn Parker 6’ 250 lbs Sr. RE 37 Michael O’Connell 5’11” 208 lbs Sr. FS 85 Bailey Johnson 6’2” 278 lbs Sr. DT

59 Austin Zlab 6’5” 301 lbs Sr. C

60 Brian Palangi 6’5” 305 lbs So. RG

74 Misha Danilov 6’7” 300 lbs So. RT

47 A.J. Klein 6’1” 240 lbs So. MLB 97 Stephen Ruempolhamer 6’3” 280 lbs Jr. NG 1 David Sims 5’9” 204 lbs Sr. SS 91 Patrick Neal 6’ 235 lbs Jr. LE

48 Ryan Mahaffey 6’4” 262 lbs Sr. TE

5 Jarred Herring 5’9” 170 lbs Jr. WR

2010 leaders

45 Matt Morton 6’0” 207 lbs So. SLB

Passing Cmp Att Rennie, T. 18 36

Yds 334

Cmp Td Int 50 1 1

Rushing Car Anderson, C. 25 Rennie, T. 34 Leonard, M. 1

Yds 239 228 8

Avg 9.6 6.5 8.0

Long 54 75 8

Td 1 1 0

Receiving Rec Collins, J. 8 Oordt, S. 6 Herring, J. 4 Sinkfield, T. 3 Anderson, C. 2

Yds 109 82 130 85 17

Avg 13.6 13.7 32.5 28.3 8.5

Long 27 43 83 47 10

Td 0 0 1 0 0

Defense Thompson, J. Conley, J. Smith, J. Fort, L.J. Martin, A. Sonie, V. Boothby, B. Swain, J.J.

Solo 6 8 5 3 4 5 6 4

Tackles Ast Total 14 20 10 18 12 17 14 17 11 15 4 9 3 9 4 8

Sacks 0.5 2.5 2.0 4.0

22 Ter’Ran Benton 6’ 197 lbs Jr. LCB

Graphic: Moriah Smith/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 Jack Trice Stadium Iowa State @ Oklahoma Oct. 16 Norman, Okla.

Iowa State @ Texas Oct. 23 Austin, Texas

Iowa State vs. Kansas Oct. 30 Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State vs.

Nebraska Nov. 6 Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State @ Colorado Nov. 13 Boulder, Colo.

Iowa State vs. Missouri Nov. 20 Jack Trice Stadium

8 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

>>LEADERS.p5

you like that and think you have the qualities that a captain embodies.”

Michael O’Connell With the Cyclones on defense now, free safety Michael O’Connell takes his place in the defensive backfield.

Make sure everyone knows the personnel, give the down and disO’Connell tance, identify the formation, make the checks on any motions, decide which reads need to be made.

As the “quarterback of the defense,” O’Connell’s job as a safety is to get a feel for what the defense is doing.

For a guy who has had to earn his keep every step of the way, he is just now learning what being a captain is all about.

“It’s good [being a captain],” O’Connell said following the team’s loss to Iowa.

“Especially in times like right now, coming off the loss to Iowa. As leaders, we’ve talked about the upperclassmen driving this football team and it starts with the captains.

O’Connell has gotten used to being one of the guys coach Paul Rhoads goes to when a decision needs to be made and other team matters.

He hails from Iowa City-Regina High School, an environment that naturally has a tradition of sending players to play for Iowa.

“I can’t even remember the number of guys that I graduated with that went to Iowa,” O’Connell said. “There was a large amount of kids from my high school that ended up Hawkeyes, and everyone I grew up around is a Cyclone fan.

O’Connell was wooed to Iowa State by Dan McCarney and his staff, and he really felt like Ames was the right place to play college football. Having played sports growing up with fellow Cyclones Ben Lamaak and Arnaud didn’t hurt either.

He started as a walk on, which was no easy task, as he had to dress for practice in Jack Trice Stadium’s visitor’s locker room.

“It was tough,” O’Connell said. “Just coming in here and having to push a little bit harder than everyone else and having to earn my way into the normal locker room was hard. It’s been a long journey to get to where I’m at.”

As tough as the process was, O’Connell credits his support system for being able to help him through the entire process.

“I couldn’t do it without my teammates,” O’Connell said. “Those are ultimately the guys I’m working for every single day, and those are the guys that pushed me for five years to get me where I’m at now.”

Austen Arnaud With the ball back on offense, Arnaud takes his place under center.

Survey the defense from left to right; what coverage are they in?

How deep are the safeties and corners?

Where are the linebackers?

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Iowa State’s Austen Arnaud passes the ball during the Cyclones game against Kansas State on Saturday in Arrowhead Stadium. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

Arnaud has been making these decisions for a long time as quarterback of the Cyclones, and it’s second nature to him now.

Out of the four captains, Arnaud is the only Arnaud one who has been voted captain twice, something he is very proud of. “[Being named a captain twice is] very special to me,” Arnaud said. “More special to me than anything else I’ve ever done in my life.”

That honor is special to Arnaud because of how people perceive him compared to other quarterbacks around college football.

“You have quarterbacks who are kind of on their own at other schools, and everyone knows he’s the guy, but he’s not necessarily the captain,” Arnaud said. “I’m very proud of myself that my teammates elected me a second time. That’s one of the most important things to me.”

Arnaud has the numbers to back up his words and actions.

He is Iowa State’s all-time leader in completion percentage at .598, is second in ISU history in passing yards with 5,658, and sits at fourth on the all-time list with 31 career touchdown passes.

While these captains took different paths to get to the center of the field at Jack Trice, one common theme is that they have formed a brotherhood, not just among themselves, but among the entire team.

Arnaud, Parker, O’Connell and Robinson have gone through two coaching changes and bought into a new system each time, something they say has undoubtedly brought them closer together.

“The obvious word is leadership,” Rhoads said when asked what his captains bring to the team. “They bring that with their work ethic and knowledge. They aren’t afraid to speak their knowledge to their peers, good and bad. That’s a quality in a trait that’s not easily found into today’s generation.”

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Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

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Fareway 3619 Stange Road, Ames

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Harlan’s Food Mart 306 Washington, Story City

Schilletter Village Laundromat Stange Road & Blankenburg, Ames

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Friday, September 24, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 9

The University of Northern Iowa: The Quick Facts • Location:

Cedar Falls, Iowa

• Enrollment:

13,201 (Fall 2010)

• Student-to-Faculty Ratio:

17 to 1 • 30 percent of student body are ethnic minorities.

• University founded in 1876 • Athletic colors are purple and gold • Mascot is TC the Panther • Participates in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, separate from the Missouri Valley Conference • Missouri Valley Football Conference was under the title of Gateway Football Conference as recent as 2007.

• Competes in the Football Championship Subdivision, the lower of the two Division I levels.

• Won ESPY award from ESPN for best upset of 2010, as UNI basketball team beat top-seed Kansas in NCAA tournament.

• Record in football is 1-14 all-time vs. University of Iowa, and 4-18-3 vs. Iowa State University.

• The UNI-Dome is the Panthers’ home field, and houses the Iowa High School football championships, as well as seating for 16,400 football fans.

• Alma mater of recent NFL players Kurt Warner, Mike Furrey and Benny Sapp.

Northern Iowa dance team members Holli Rutherford, center, MacKenzie Johnson, left, and Kristin Foxhoven perform Jan. 27 in Cedar Falls. Photo: Matthew Putney/The Associated Press • UNI has won 31 total conference football championships, and 12 since 1990.

• UNI has been known as the Iowa State Normal School, Iowa State Teachers College and State College of Iowa.

• U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNI. • 92.9 percent of undergraduates are Iowa residents.

10 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Big 12 roundup results laid out Look around the conference shows seven unbeatens, previews league play

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No. 7 Texas Longhorns (3-0, 1-0)

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Last week: W 24-14 at Texas Tech This Week: vs. UCLA (1-2) Statistically, this Longhorn team is the most unimpressive group in a long time.

Sophomore QB Garrett Gilbert is struggling with efficiency, and the running game isn’t giving him as much support as he’ll need against Oklahoma and Nebraska back-to-back starting next week. But the Texas defense is keeping this team undefeated, with 17 points still its allowed high on the year, keeping the team second in the nation in total yards allowed. UCLA should be a great tune-up for two top 10 opponents that the Longhorns will have to be prepared for soon enough.

Texas A&M Aggies (3-0, 0-0) Last week: W 27-20 vs.

Florida International This Week: Bye Week Down 20-6 going into the fourth quarter against FIU, the Aggies recuperated with 21 unanswered points for the victory. What does this mean as A&M gets a bye week before Oklahoma State becomes its focus?

Its offensive output remains unquestioned, but the schedule doesn’t get easier, and a come-from-behind win against the vaunted Panthers doesn’t inspire much confidence. Jerrod Johnson may have played the worst game of his career, going 11-for-31 with four interceptions and four yards rushing.

Coach Mike Sherman needs Johnson to move on during this off week. It’s time for the Aggies to circle the wagons.

Kansas State Wildcats (3-0, 1-0) Last week: W 27-20 vs.

Iowa State This week: vs. Central Florida (2-1)

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Texas running back Foswhitt Whittaker runs against Texas Tech safety Cody Davis during the first half of their game in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday. Texas won the game to remain unbeaten and is ranked No. 7. Photo: LM Otero/The Associated Press

Farmageddon went the way of the Wildcats yet again, and the Fighting Snyders are stepping into a home game at his namesake field against a UCF team that has shown its potential already this season.

Halfway to a bowl bid it missed last season, K-State is still riding its lone horse Daniel Thomas to victories, and Central Florida’s rush defense better be ready.

Thomas is logging plenty of carries, but the Wildcat defense has played well this season too, and a 4-0 Kansas State could mean plenty of trouble for the near-extinct Big 12 North.

Baylor Bears (2-1, 0-0) Last week: L 45-10 at No. 4 TCU This week: @ Rice (1-2) Baylor’s cakewalk ending in a nasty fashion last Saturday, with the No. 4 Horned Frogs doing anything they wanted against a porous Baylor defense. The Bear offense got into double digits in the

game thanks to QB Robert Griffin’s performance, not being statistically shut down like most of TCU’s opposing quarterbacks. Coach Art Briles shouldn’t have so many problems with the Rice offense as he did with TCU QB Andy Dalton throwing 21-for-23 against his defense, but a win against the Owls would get the Bears halfway to a bowl bid that has evaded them since 1994.

Nebraska (3-0, 0-0)

Last week: W 56-21 at Washington This week: vs. South Dakota State (0-2) Nebraska tallied 533 yards of total offense, 383 of them on the ground in their blowout victory over Washington.

Taylor Martinez, Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead all had more than 100 yards rushing.

This was the Huskers fourth triple-100-yard game in school history and the first since 2001 against Baylor.

South Dakota State is next for the Huskers.

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Friday, September 24, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 11

Kansas (1-2, 0-0) Last week: L 31-16 at Southern Miss.

This week: vs. New Mexico State (0-2)

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The Jayhawks couldn’t contain the Southern Miss balanced attack last week, giving up 202 yards on the ground and 156 through the air.

Jordan Webb was 16 of 26 for the Jayhawks and threw one touchdown.

Deshaun Sands scored the only rushing touchdown for the Kansas.

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Last week: W 65-28 vs.

Tulsa This week: vs. Texas A&M (3-0) Oklahoma State sent a school record with 722 total yards. Quarterback Brandon Weeden passed for 409 yards and six touchdowns. Three of his touchdown passes were to Justin Blackmon, including an 81 yard touchdown pass- the sixth longest in school history.

Blackmon already has nine touchdowns this season.

The Aggies of Texas A&M are the Cowboys next opponent.

Texas Tech (2-1, 0-1)

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Last week: L 24-14 vs.

Texas This week: BYE The Red Raiders stuck with the Longhorns for most of the game before Texas pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Texas put the game away on a nine-minute, 22-play drive that included converting a fake punt for a first down. The drive ended with a quarterback Garrett Gilbert throwing a one yard touchdown pass to Barrett Matthews to put them up 24-14.

Gilbert ended the game with 227 yards passing and two touchdowns while his counterpart Taylor Potts threw two interceptions and finished 21-35 for 159 yards.

Missouri (3-0, 0-0)

Last week: W 27-24 vs.

San Diego State This week: vs. Miami (OH) (2-1) Missouri was tested for the first time this season in a 27-24 squeaker with San Diego State. The Tigers allowed 440 total yards against the Aztecs, and it took a touchdown with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter to even get Missouri the win. Of the 440 yards surrendered to San Diego State, 250 of them came on the ground. SDSU running back Ronnie Hillman scorched the Missouri defense for 228 yards and two touchdowns, including a 93-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

Missouri is now 81st in the country in rushing defense, allowing 171 yards per game on the ground.

The Tigers’ offense, though, answered the bell, adding 440 yards of its own. Through three games, the Tigers are averaging 419 yards of offense, good for 39th in the country. Blaine Gabbert, despite throwing two interceptions, had a season-high 351 yards through the air in the win.

This week, the Tigers wrap their non-conference schedule — one that included no road games — with the Miami Redhawks.

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon catches a touchdown against John Flanders of Tulsa in their game in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State won 65-28. Photo: Chelcey Adami/The Associated Press

No. 8 Oklahoma (3-0, 0-0) Last week: W 27-24 vs.

Air Force This week: at Cincinnati (1-2) Oklahoma doesn’t like to make things look easy. In week one, the Sooners won 31-24 against Utah State and won 27-24 against Air Force this week. However, the Sooners did beat Florida State (ranked No. 17 at the time) by 30 points.

Against Air Force, the Oklahoma defense gave up 458 total yards, including 351 yards to the Falcons’ triple option running attack.

The Sooners’ offense put up its own fight, going for 27 points through the first three quarters and 367 yards in the game. After three games, the Oklahoma passing offense is ranked 18th in the country with 288.3 yards per game.

The Sooners are just 80th on the ground, averaging 133.7 yards per game.

This week, the Sooners

Oklahoma defensive back Jonathan Nelson, right, moves in to aid cornerback Jamell Fleming, left, with a tackle of Air Force wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka, center, in a game Saturday in Norman, Okla. Photo: Chelcey Adami/The Associated Press

play their first road game of the year, travelling to face Cincinnati.

Colorado (2-1, 0-0) Last week: W 31-13 vs.

Hawaii This week: vs. Georgia After losing 52-7 at the hands of California two weeks ago, the Buffaloes bounced back with a 31-13 win over Hawaii on Saturday. While they still rank near the bottom of the country in scoring offense and offensive yards, the Buffaloes put up 452 yards on the Warriors. Colorado’s

balanced attack featured 200 yards and two scores through the air and 252 yards and two scores on the ground.

Colorado’s defense has been impressive and is ranked 42nd in the country, allowing 312 yards per game. Against Hawaii, the Colorado defense allowed 337 yards (only seven on the ground) and forced a safety in the third quarter.

While the Buffaloes are riding high right now, a game with perennial SEC power Georgia on Saturday may slow them down. Georgia has also struggled to score points, but so have its opponents as the Bulldogs have allowed 18 points per game through their first three matchups.

12 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, September 24, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

PICKS vs.

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Jake Lovett, sports editor 14-7

Iowa State — Serious questions will abound if this game goes south.

Or would it go north?

Pittsburgh —The Panthers need to redeem the Big East, or the conference might get annexed by the Big Ten. Or the FCS.

Alabama — If Mark Ingram isn’t in, Trent Richardson is. If Richardson isn’t in, Ingram is. Uhm. Yup. ‘Bama will be all right.

Stanford — I think this sets a record for most Jesus references in one Gridiron. (see: below)

Auburn — I just don’t even like this at all. Auburn is too good to lose at home. This makes me unhappy.

Boise State — Oh, Chris. You so silly.

LSU — I’m not saying picking against LSU at home would be terrible or stupid, but I’m not doing it.

Chris Cuellar, sports writer 15-6

Iowa State — Do you have friends at UNI? Do they look and act like high school kids?

Exactly.

Miami — Unless Mr. Marino has finished Nutrisystem ads and puts on a uniform, the Panthers don’t have a chance.

Alabama — When Ryan Mallett gets sacked, does someone yell “Timber!” or does it happen too fast? We’ll find out soon.

Stanford — I’ll take Luck over Christ.

Excuse me, that’s Crist.

Still.

Auburn — The Gamecock bandwagon is getting a little too hefty.

This is about the point that Spurrier’s visor wilts in the heat.

Oregon State — Boise’s overconfidence and swagger are shattered when they realize they’re from Idaho.

Upset Special!

LSU — Noel Devine is electric. He’s also petite enough to fit entirely inside of the tiger chained up on the sidelines.

Jeremiah Davis, sports

Iowa State — If this game is as close as the UNI-Iowa game last year, panic might start to set in around Ames.

Miami — The ACC has had a rough couple of weeks, but it’s still better than the Big East.

Miami will make up for it with a big win on the road.

Alabama — Has a team ever been too good?

Alabama has two running backs that could start anywhere in a heartbeat. No way they lose.

Stanford — Is anyone else bothered by the fact that Stanford’s mascot is a color? No? Just me? Okay, fine.

South Carolina — Clemson almost made my Saturday night perfect. Spurrier and Co. will take care of that this week.

Boise State — Oregon State painted its practice field blue. It won’t help.

Boise State just better hope OSU doesn’t lay an egg the next week like Va. Tech.

LSU — West Virginia is the best team in the Big East. That makes them like the 10th best team in the SEC. No way they go to Baton Rouge and win.

David Merrill, sports writer 15-6

Iowa State — Being back at home is just the medicine the Cyclones need to get back on the winning track.

Miami — As much as I personally hate the “U”, Pittsburgh just can’t match the skill and athleticism of the ‘Canes and that will show in the score.

Alabama — Arkansas almost got beat by an underachieving Georgia team last week. I think Alabama will show why the Razorbacks may be a bit overrated.

Notre Dame — Stanford is a tough team, but the Irish are going to be ready to go for this rivalry game in South Bend. The Irish will do enough praying to touchdown Jesus.

South Carolina — Steve Spurrier really has his boys playing well to start the season and Auburn’s overtime thriller victory over Clemson won’t bode well for them.

Boise State — I picked against the Broncos in Week 1, I won’t make that mistake again. At least not this week.

West Virginia — The Mountaineers are starting the season strong and I think they can pull the upset in Death Valley.

Luke Roling

Iowa State — UNI student body president Joel Anderson will look great in cardinal and gold on Monday after losing our bet.

Pittsburgh — Pitt springs the upset and shows the Big East isn’t as down as many think after a rough Week 1.

Alabama — Without a healthy Mark Ingram this may have been close. With Ingram?

Roll Tide.

Stanford — Stanford’s one of my NCAA video game dynasties. The Cardinal ride the arm of Andrew Luck to a comfortable victory.

South Carolina — Like most Cyclone fans, it will be a while before I pull for the Tigers.

South Carolina wins a tough road battle.

Boise State — I won’t watch; the blue field gives me a headache.

Broncos in a close one.

West Virginia — LSU won’t win without a passing attack; another big win for the Big East.

columnist

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GSB President

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Editor’s note: This is week one of the Daily’s season-long Gridiron challenge. Each week, the Daily’s three football reporters and the sports desk’s columnist will choose the winner from seven college football games around the country and provide commentary on each game. Each week we will feature one guest pick, with this week’s guest being GSB President, Luke Rolling.

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