Gridiron

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Friday, October 8, 2010 >> Iowa State vs. Utah >> Kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday >> an Iowa State Daily sports supplement

Run it

You have to run it to win it in the Big 12 RUNNING.p2 >>

Running backs Shontrelle Johnson, left; Alexander Robinson, center; and Jeff Woody are leading the ISU offense on the ground, averaging 126.6 yards per game between them. Photos: Gene Pavelko/Iowa State Daily

6

Gameday breakdown: A closer look at both teams before they play at Jack Trice

9

Big 12 roundup: A quick peek at the rest of the Big 12 conference

11

A look at Utah: A breakdown of the Cyclones’ opponent

2 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 8, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

You run it to win it in Big 12 conference Cyclones use three running back rotation to maximize spread offense system By Chris.Cuellar @iowastatedaily.com Chase Clement threw for 4119 yards in 2008. This may not be a household name for Iowa State fans, but Clement was the quarterback at Rice University, where current ISU offensive coordinator Tom Herman used to set up shop. When coach Paul Rhoads arrived to Ames in the Spring of 2009, he brought Herman with him, and Herman’s idea of the spread offense. More recognizable names like Sam Bradford (4720 yards), Chase Daniel (4335 yards) and Colt McCoy (3859 yards) made the Big 12 Conference known for the spread with monster passing numbers. There was no doubt that Herman and his inherited quarterback Austen Arnaud would leave burn marks in the Jack Trice turf and the Cyclone history books. “There’s certain passing game gurus that may disagree with me, and obviously at Rice we were able to throw it a whole lot and win games, but I think in this conference and this day-andage, you have to run it to win,” Herman said. What happened to throwing it around the yard?

Opening the door With recruiting and transfers in college football, new coaching staffs don’t necessarily have to make do with what they have or what they inherit. There is some leeway in schemes and units, but Rhoads’ staff didn’t necessarily have to do that. The Big 12 was set up for high-flying offenses, but the new coaching group just wanted to bring order to the chaos. “We got here and we watched every game from the previous season, but it was a hodgepodge of offensive schemes that were kind of a week-to-week deal,” Herman said. “One week they were in the I-formation a bunch, the next week they were in the shotgun, spread out a bunch. We didn’t really know what to expect, but the biggest indicator was those first few practices of spring ball.” The first few practices for a new staff with their new talent becomes a try-out of sorts. Coordinators don’t come in with preconceived notions of attitude, or old starters or entitlement. The slate is clean, and the players know it could be their chance to shine and their chance to stand-out. Spread offense or not, Iowa State’s new army of polo shirts and headsets knew what they had. “The first thing was that the offensive line grasped the concepts very, very quickly. They understand the big picture of our run game and that was evident to begin with. And A-Rob really

Running back Shontrelle Johnson races past the Texas Tech defense during Saturday’s game at Jack Trice Stadium. Johnson helped to lead the team with 102 rushing yards along with Alexander Robinson’s 103. Photo: David Livingston/Iowa State Daily

impressed us right off the get-go in spring ball,” Herman said. A strong offensive line, and a quick running back entering his junior year with plenty of potential to grow within the offense? That sounds like something to build around. The offensive line had a solid core with se-

nior Reggie Stephens snapping the ball, and being flanked by younger teammates with solid work ethics and plenty of size. Alexander Robinson is listed as 5 feet 9 inches, 191 pounds, and while not Barry Sanders small, could hide

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Friday, October 8, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 3

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4 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 8, 2010

>>RUNNING.p2 behind the starting linemen that all hit the scales at 300 pounds. Iowa State’s quarterbacks weren’t slouching while all this was going on. Then-junior Arnaud had visions of being a great passer with his name alongside Bradford, McCoy, Daniel and Kansas’ pint-sized signal caller Todd Reesing. With injuries in the receiving corps, and success heading north-and-south, 2009 wouldn’t be Arnaud’s coming out party. It wouldn’t need to be. Robinson ran for 1195 yards in 12 games, and caught three touchdowns in addition to the six he ran. The rushing game and a solid defense were enough reason for the Cyclones to head to the post-season in Rhoads’ first year, but there had to be some fix for year two. “We haven’t been able to throw the ball with any great effect, so teams have said ‘All right, throw it. We’re going to put everybody we can in here to stop the run,’” Rhoads said. “You can have really good O-line, you can have really good schemes and you can have really good running backs, but if people say we’re going to be in here and we’re not going to give you that opportunity, and you can’t throw it effectively, it’s hard to have the success you need.” A successful 180 yards on the

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

ground per game in 2009 made Herman’s spread look more like the one West Virginia had run in recent years, than the pass dominated assaults that were make the Big 12 look like basketball teams on grass. It worked for the Cyclones in 2009. Why couldn’t it work in 2010? “I think we’ve committed to it. From the day we got here it was very evident that it was going to be the strength of our team, was the offensive line, and we had a good tailback, now we’ve got a few good tailbacks,” Herman said. “We had mobile quarterbacks. We certainly made that an emphasis understanding that it was already the inherited strength of our team.” The Cyclones sit at 3-2 overall, and 1-1 in the Big 12 even though a 5238 win over Texas Tech at home made the ISU fan base walk with a little hitch in its step. The few good tailbacks help. Against Texas Tech, they all had major contributions. Iowa State hasn’t had a stable of backs capable of dominating a game in years. The fact that they’re doing all of this in the spread is just a testament to progress. Like every good backfield, the offensive line is the immediate recipient of praise. But the running backs themselves bring different things to the table, and they’re all getting a

RUNNING.p5 >>

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Running back Alexander Robinson receives a handoff from quarterback Austen Arnaud during Saturday’s game against Texas Tech. Robinson had 103 rushing yards in the game. Photo: Gene Pavelko/Iowa State Daily

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>>RUNNING.p4 chance to showcase their talents in different ways.

Tom Herman’s offenses (All Stats Per Game)

The laborers Compact and tough, but aggressive and confident on the field, Robinson is a prototype running back. He’s got breakaway speed, even though he got caught on a 65-yard run with a sore ankle against Texas Tech. Robinson has 25 career touchdowns, and in his senior year, is considered something of a constant in this offense. Statistically, he isn’t on pace to beat his own 2009. Robinson has more help in 2010, he can breathe, and he can lead and teach the group. He’s doing just that, focused like a 22-year-old coach. “I think I said it from last year and from this preseason, the key is being consistent,” Robinson said after the Texas Tech win. “I think you saw in that third quarter, lulls and things. We just can’t do that, we have to execute every drive.” Robinson’s health is as constant a talking point as his success. He hasn’t missed substantial amounts of time at

Friday, October 8, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 5

Herman

Rice University - 2008 • Total Offense: 470.9 • FBS Rank: 10th • Pass Offense: 327.2 • FBS Rank: 5th • Rush Offense: 143.7 • FBS Rank: 62nd • Scoring Offense: 41.3 • FBS Rank: 8th

any point, but like any guy that runs into a mass of bodies and tacklers 20 times a game, he’s got bumps and bruises. His current ankle problems are a non-issue. “It’s just sore. I played last game with it, I practiced all week with it, and I played this game with it. It’s not something that’s going to keep me out,” Robinson said. Robinson’s absence against Nebraska was covered up by a miraculous eight-turnover game in 2009. He was banged up a little in 2008, but split carries throughout the season, and only hit 20 carries once. Herman and Rhoads know now that with the trio of tailbacks they’ve got working the game, Robinson doesn’t need to be Earl Campbell. He just has to do what he can.

“It certainly takes a load off of A-Rob. It makes you not cringe when he’s banged up. It makes you confident that part of your game-plan is not just thrown out of the window,” Herman said. Jeff Woody talks casually and freely, as if he has already done plenty more interviews about the running game than his 24 career carries would suggest. He’s been a popular local figure since he bullied centralIowa defenses at Southeast Polk High School, and his playing time at Iowa State has gotten him plenty of Des Moinesbased buzz. Woody is a proud Cyclone, and with his easy demeanor, focused talking points and rugged style of running, is an Iowan in the spotlight. He’s a success story for all the lo-

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Iowa State - 2009 • Total Offense: 364.7 • FBS Rank: 73rd • Pass Offense: 184.7 • FBS Rank: 94th • Rush Offense: 180.0 • FBS Rank: 35th • Scoring Offense: 20.5 • FBS Rank: 103rd

Iowa State - 2010 • Total Offense: 324.4 • FBS Rank: 92nd • Pass Offense: 173.4 • FBS Rank: 95th • Rush Offense: 151.0 • FBS Rank: 65th • Scoring Offense: 26.6 • FBS Rank: 69th

cal kids that think they’ll get lost in the recruiting process to faster and tougher kids in Texas and Florida. But five games into the season, he’s also just a back-up running back trying to do his best to keep his playing time and help his team win, like the rest of his teammates. “I think the neat situation that we’re in, is that the three guys that are taking all those reps, with A-Rob, and Jeff Woody, and Shontrelle Johnson, are all different kind of guys,” Herman said. “The defenses may argue this, but coach Rhoads has often said that you get used to tackling one style of guy and the next thing you know another guy pops in there and its a different animal for those guys to tackle.” Woody knows what he is.

Running back Jeff Woody runs through Texas Tech defense during Saturday’s game at Jack Trice Stadium. Woody had 34 rushing yards to help the Cyclones in their 52-38 victory over the Red Raiders. Photo: Gene Pavelko/Iowa State Daily

It isn’t to beat everyone on the field in a footrace, or to dance around and find a hole. The self-awareness and willingness to tighten his chin strap

and bite down on his mouthpiece to get a first down mean the coaches have him out there

RUNNING.p8 >>

6 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 8, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iow

Utah Defense 27 Brandon Burton 6’0” 185 lbs Jr. CB

18 Chad Manis 6’5” 235 lbs Sr. SLB

2010 Leaders Passing Arnaud, A. Tiller, . J

Cmp Att Pct Yds Td Int 83 137 60.6 780 6 5 11 23 47.8 87 0 0

Rushing Robinson, A. Johnson, S.

Car Yds Avg Long Td 76 404 5.3 65 4 19 129 6.8 61 1

Receiving Franklin, C. Darks, D. Robinson, A. Johnson, S. Reynolds, D.

Rec 21 14 14 13 9

Yds 220 133 100 89 137

Avg 10.5 9.5 7.1 6.8 15.2

Long Td 34 1 16 1 23 0 15 0 36 1

Tackles Defense Solo Ast Total Klein, A.J. 17 35 52 Knott, J. 26 22 48 Sims, D. 15 12 27 Johnson, L. 17 9 26 Reeves, J. 17 9 26 Ruempolhamer, S. 8 14 22 Sandvig, Z. 14 7 21

96 Junior Tui’one 6’4” 265 lbs Sr. LE

Justin Taplin-Ross 6’3” 214 lbs Sr. FS

44 Dave Kruger 6’5” 290 lbs So. NT 32 Chaz Walker 5’11” 218 lbs Jr. MLB

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

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

98 Sealver Siliga 6’3” 305 lbs Jr. DT 2 Brian Blechen 6’2” 208 lbs Fr. SS

77 Alex Alvarez 6’2” 305 lbs Sr. LG

94 Christian Cox 6’3” 250 lbs Sr. RE

Sacks

52 Matt Martinez 6’0” 223 lbs Jr. RLB

72 Kelechi Osemele 6’5” 335 lbs Jr. LT

6 Darius Darks 6’1” 189 lbs Jr. WR

2.0 21 Lamar Chapman 5’8” 176 lbs Sr. CB

Northern Illinois 10 Iowa State 27 Sept. 2

ISU Offense

Iowa State 7 Iowa 35 Sept. 11

Iowa State 20 Kansas State 27 Sept. 18

Iowa State 27 Northern Iowa 0 Sept. 25

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

Iowa State 52 Texas Tech 38 Oct. 2

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Friday, October 8, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 7

Utah Offense

ISU Defense

1 Shaky Smithson 5’11” 202 lbs Sr. WR

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

81 Kendrick Moeai 6’5” 240 lbs So. TE

20 Jake Knott 6’2” 240 lbs So. WLB

2010 leaders 75 John Cullen 6’5” 285 lbs Jr. LT

72 Caleb Schlauderaff 6’4” 300 lbs Sr. LG

3 Jordan Wynn 6’1” 195 lbs So. QB

4 Matt Asiata 5’11” 230 lbs Sr. RB

3 Zac Sandvig 5’10” 193 lbs Sr. FS

70 Tony Bergstrom 6’6” 310 lbs Jr. RT

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

45 Matt Morton 6’0” 207 lbs So. SLB 85 Jereme Brooks 5’7” 170 lbs Sr. WR

11 Luke Matthews 6’1” 201 lbs So. WR

Cmp Att 35 54 37 49

Yds 407 486

Cmp Td 64.8 5 75.5 5

Yds 210 187 74

Avg 5.2 4.2 4.4

Long Td 21 3 15 2 24 2

Receiving Rec Yds Brooks, J. 20 307 Christopher, D. 12 224 Wide, E. 11 53 Asiata, M. 9 76 Smithson, S. 4 67

Avg 15.4 18.7 4.8 8.4 16.8

Long 75 61 11 18 55

Defense Walker, C. Martinez, M. Chapman, L. Manis, C. Cox, C. Blechen, B. Taplin-Ross, J. Burton, B.

Tackles Ast Total Sacks 31 40 22 31 1.0 8 27 3.5 12 23 17 21 1.0 10 19 0.5 8 19 5 15

Rushing Car Wide, E. 40 Asiata, M. 44 Vakapuna, V. 17

26 Taylor Mansfield 6’1” 263 lbs Sr. NG

77 Zane Taylor 6’2” 309 lbs Sr. C

54 Tevita Stevens 6’1” 290 lbs So. RG

Passing Wynn, J. Cain, T.

29 Rashawn Parker 6’ 250 lbs Sr. RE

Solo 9 9 19 11 4 9 11 10

Int 1 0

Td 4 2 0 0 1

22 Ter’ran Benton 6’ 197 lbs Jr. LCB

Graphic: Moriah Smith/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State vs. Utah 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 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, October 8, 2010

>>RUNNING.p5 for a good reason. “If you would just say, this is a third-and-one, third-and-two, we need to drop the shoulder, and move somebody back and pick it up, Jeff Woody would be that guy,â€? Rhoads said. He hasn’t punched the ball into the end-zone yet, but it seems like just a matter of time for the redshirt freshman. Like rushing in the spread offense, he focuses on what he can do well. “We had two 60-yard runs, and that’s just straight speed from Shontrelle and A-Rob. I’ll just get you six and eight, and holes don’t have to be that big to make your own yards,â€? Woody said. It isn’t of the quality of West Virginia’s Noel Devine, or even of the lightning quick Barry Sanders Jr., but Shontrelle Johnson has a YouTube highlight clip that received plenty of oohs and ahhs before the season even started. Featuring spin moves, running over defenders and speed to get around the corner at DeLand High School in the recruiting incubator of Florida, Johnson is a feature back. He’ll get his time, but he knows it just might not be immediately, and there’s plenty of time for the 18-year-old to learn. “The attitude is just to approach practice and get better. I’ll go from there,â€? Johnson said. His 61-yard touchdown scamper against Texas Tech was easily the longest run of his career, and helped put the freshman further than the 100-yard mark in just his ďŹ fth college game. Twelve carries, 102 yards and a touchdown in a backup role show the kid is deep threat, and like Woody, he just wants to make his coaches happy by focusing on what he does well. “I believe in it, and I trust in my speed ... it allows coaches to get a little more trust and conďŹ -

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

“It started with a philosophy. Being a defensive coach, and knowing that if you can run the ball you can do the other things that you need to do and want to. You can run time off on the clock, you can end games, things of that nature,� Rhoads said. “The philosophy was there at the start. We just happen to have the personnel to allow us to do it effectively.�

ISU running backs Alexander Robinson • 5’9�, 191 lbs. • Redshirt senior • 2010 rushing: 76 att., 404 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 4 TD, 80.8 yards per game • 2010 receiving: 14 rec., 100 yards, 7.1 yards per catch, 20.0 yards per game

Robinson

Jeff Woody • 6’0�, 234 lbs. • Redshirt freshman • 2010 rushing: 24 att., 100 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 0 TD, 20.0 yards per game Woody Shontrelle Johnson • 5’9�, 182 lbs. • Freshman • 2010 rushing: 19 att., 129 yards, 6.8 yards per carry, 1 TD, 25.8 yards per game • Kick ret.: 8 att., 223 yards, 27.9 yards per return, 62 yard long

Johnson

dence in me as far as my ability to make big time plays in big time games,� Johnson said. The three backs got 12 runs a piece against Texas Tech. That they’ll be that balanced the rest of the year is doubtful, but it means running in the spread offense gives this team a good shot at success.

Contemporary work Funny thing is, Bradford, McCoy, Reesing, Daniel and Clement all graduated. The Big 12 has ďŹ ve quarterbacks in the nation’s top 35 in passing yardage per game, and two of them are running threats. Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts has had a coaching change, but is still throwing it around pretty efficiently even though his squad is struggling. The Cyclones’ running game still isn’t in the top half of the country, even after the 250-yard outburst against Texas Tech. Good passing against Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes’ fourthranked defense, and a rough offensive game against Northern Iowa are all reasons. There aren’t statistical parameters on running the ball in Herman’s offense, but the team will continue to work with the three backs that were successful last Saturday. “Our breakdown on 1st-and-10 was high. I think it was something like 24-to-10, run to pass. It’s not like we were completely off our marker on what we were doing and when we were doing it, we just had enough success throwing it that they had to respect it,â€? Rhoads said. Robinson was second in the Big 12 in rushing last year. Defenses deďŹ nitely respect him.

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Arnaud is seasoned veteran behind center, and coaches around the conference have expressed their appreciation of his toughness and heart. Johnson and Woody are the next backďŹ eld guys in line to earn that. Both in their ďŹ rst year of eligibility, they could theoretically be a duo for the next three years at Jack Trice. In the second season of the spread, is it possible that the gunslingers have given way to smash-mouth football? That’s a reach. The Cyclones are still throwing for more yards than they are running for on the season. Arnaud’s execution is a good reason for that. Consistency is a focus point for this team though, and the coaching staff feels the hard work shift the wind their way. “We haven’t been very consistent, be it throughout a drive, or throughout a game, or from week to week. I’d like to believe that we’ve turned the corner, and that we understand that the way we practiced last week and the way that it carried over on to game day and the way we took the ďŹ eld and the energy that we had, translated into those points and that production,â€? Herman said. The schedule is still tough. Utah, Oklahoma and Texas are still coming up. Utah brings to Ames the 11th-ranked rush defense in the country. The Utes run their own variation of the spread offense. Utah has won nine straight bowl games with their attack — imitation would be the sincerest form of attery. “It’ll be challenging to say the least, because the team we’re playing is dang good,â€? Herman said. “If we go out there and execute, I think we can play with anybody.â€?

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Friday, October 8, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 9

Roundup of the Big 12 conference teams Overview of the rest of the teams after last week, what to expect from these teams in their upcoming games this week No. 7 Nebraska (4-0, 0-0) Last Week: Bye This Week: Kansas State. The No. 7 Cornhuskers look ahead to their annual rivalry game with Kansas State in Manhattan. This is the toughest team Nebraska has faced to date. Nebraska won their first four games of the season by a combined score of 160-51. Nebraska is led by freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez, who is averaging 124 yards per game on the ground on the strength of nine yards per carry. Martinez has also passed for 133 yards per game so far this season. Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead are seeing the majority of the work in the backfield for the Huskers. Helu Jr. has carried the ball 43 times for 305 yards while Burkehead has gotten 41 carries for 304 yards. While the Huskers record may be unblemished, coach Bo Pelini isn’t close to satisfied with how his team is playing so far this season. Outside of the victory at Washington, he feels that the Nebraska hasn’t been playing up to its potential.

Kansas (2-3,0-1) Last Week: Lost 55-7 to Baylor This Week: Bye Kansas continues to be more two-faced than a quarter, losing to Baylor 55-7 last week after a 42-16 victory over New Mexico State. In the loss to Baylor, the Jayhawks were only able to rack up 278 yards of total offense. Quarterback Robert Griffin was impressive for Baylor. He completed 26 of his 36 passes and had three touchdowns and Baylor didn’t turn the ball over. Kansas Running back D.J. Beshears was held to just 53 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Brandon Webb through for 171 yards on 16-28 passing, but threw two interceptions to go with his touchdown pass. Daym Patterson led the Jayhawks in receiving yards with 53 yards on four

receptions. Jonathan Wilson added four receptions for 35 yards. One bright spot for the Jayhawks was the defensive play of Lubbock Smith, Steven Johnson and Olaitan Oguntodu. They each had career high tackling numbers of 12, 11 and 10 respectively.

Texas Tech (2-2,0-2) Last Week: L 52-38 at Iowa State This Week: vs. Baylor Texas Tech dropped to 0-2 in conference play, coming up short in a shootout against Iowa State, losing 52-38. The defense had trouble containing Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud as he threw a career high 4 touchdown passes. TTU wide receiver Lyle Leong caught three of quarterback Taylor Potts’ five touchdown passes, including one that cut the Iowa State lead to 45-38. Leong finished the game with nine catches for 125 yards. After giving up a 24-0 lead to the Cyclones, Tech was able to cut the lead to 24-14 before halftime and tie the game at 24 in the third quarter.

No. 22 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0) Last Week: W 38-35 vs Texas A&M This Week: at Louisiana-Lafayette In one of the most exciting games of the weekend, Oklahoma State pulled out a close victory over Texas A&M in its Big 12 opener. Dan Bailey put a 40-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired to give the Cowboys the victory. Aggies Quarterback Jerrod Johnson had a rough day, throwing four interceptions and fumbling the ball away once. His fumble and interception in the fourth quarter both set up scores, including the game winning field goal, for Oklahoma State. Brandon Weeden threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns for Oklahoma State.

South Dakota State’s Justin Syrovatka catches a pass from quarterback Thomas O’Brien, unseen, against the defense of Nebraska’s Rickey Thenarse in the first half of the teams’ game Sept. 25. Photo: Nati Harnik/The Associated Press

Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter ran 22 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Cowboys Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon continued his impressive receiving career, adding 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown to his totals. Wide Receiver Joseph Randle added a 47 receiving yards and a touchdown of his own for Oklahoma State.

Texas (3-2, 1-1) Last Week: L 28-20 vs. No. 6 Oklahoma This Week: Bye Does any one in the country need a bye week as bad as the Longhorns? Texas has finally from their pedestal, bouncing out of the Top 25 for the first time in 162 weeks, or since Oct. 15, 2000 for the not-so math inclined. Mack Brown needs to find some sort of offense for this squad, as the formerly prolific passing attack has been replaced by a hapless group that couldn’t move the ball against the Sooners until late in the fourth quarter. Just a year ago, it would have been unfathomable for

the Longhorns to be 74th in the country in total offense. Something has to change for this group, and whether the team sticks with their run-first approach or Garrett Gilbert under center will be interesting to see. They’ll need to literally circle the wagons before they travel for a bruiser against Nebraska, or they’ll return to Austin at .500.

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Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1) Last Week: L 38-35 @ No. 22 Oklahoma State This Week: vs. No. 11 Arkansas Texas A&M started off the season strong, and now it looks like it might go downhill in a hurry. After a truckload of turnovers and miscues that cost the Aggies the game in Stillwater, they’ll need to rebound for a rematch that was onesided against Arkansas in 2009. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson doesn’t look like the Big 12 MVP he was touted to be at the start of the year, and while the defense is

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10 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 8, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb is pressured by Baylor defensive end Tevin Elliott, center, in the second quarter of the game Saturday in Waco, Texas. Blocking for Kansas is offensive linesman Tanner Hawkinson, right. Photo: Rod Aydelotte/The Associated Press

>>Roundup.p9 14th in the country, they got torn apart by their first real competition. Arkansas brings SEC speed and some pedigree at quarterback with Ryan Mallet, and coach Mike Sherman has got to do better than last year’s 47-19 beating to keep

some confidence amongst this group. The Aggie offense has turned the ball over ten times in two weeks, something that is imperative to turn around is this team can get back on track in the Big 12 South.

Kansas State (4-0,

1-0)

Baylor (4-1, 1-0)

Last Week: Bye This Week: vs. No. 7 Nebraska

Last Week: W 55-7 vs. Kansas This Week: vs. Texas Tech

Can Bill Snyder capture some 1990’s magic? With two weeks to prepare for the Cornhuskers, the Wildcats will play host on Thursday night at the friendly confines

The Bears deserve to join the big boys that typically play at the Cotton Bowl with their 48-point thrashing of Kansas last Saturday. Their interstate battle with the Red Raiders comes off of a huge win for Baylor and with Tech coming off of a huge loss. Robert Griffin reminded casual fans that Denard Robinson wasn’t the first to try and put on a cape on the field, and brought the Bears within two games of a bowl bid. Without a bowl since 1994, the Bears and coach Art Briles could really use this one and their game next week against Colorado, because it’s a gauntlet the rest of the way. The Bears are 15th in the country in total offense and if they could catch fire against the Red Raiders, expect plenty of support and publicity for their postseason hopes the rest of the way.

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known as Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. You’ll know the result of this one by the time this Gridiron hits newsstands, but Kansas State hasn’t had this important of a game in years. A tough defense and running game mean they’ve got a shot against anyone, including the Blackshirts and Nebraska coach Bo Pelini. Running back Daniel Thomas is fifth in the country in rushing, and even though quarterback Carson Coffman doesn’t toss it around too much, he’s in the top fifth of the country in pass efficiency. This team has a shot to contend for the Big 12 North title, but regardless of their hopes and your knowledge means Thursday night’s outcome will definitely have a huge impact on their year.

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away. 32 points per game and 294 yards per game through the air are nice, but when you give up 22 points a game and squeak by powers like Cincinnati, Utah State and Air Force, you can understand why OU fans are a little uneasy. A bye this week gives coach Bob Stoops a chance to regroup his troops, but games at No. 24 Missouri and No. 22 Oklahoma State leave come potential road blocks.

No. 24 Missouri (4-0, 0-0) Last week: Bye This week: vs. Colorado (3-1, 0-0) Missouri starts conference play this week with, shockingly, another home game. Four games into the year, the Tigers have yet to leave the state of Missouri, playing their only “away” game in St. Louis against Illinois. Missouri’s relatively soft nonconference schedule has put it in a good spot heading into the Big 12 schedule, though. After the bye week, the Tigers’ offense is rated No. 17, scoring 37.8 points per game. Their defense is rolling, too, giving up only

14 points per game. You’ve got to think that numbers like that will bode pretty well against an offense that scores 22 per game.

Colorado (3-1, 0-0) Last week: W 29-27 vs. Georgia This week: at No. 24 Missouri Did anyone notice that Colorado is 3-1? It was Nov. 7 before Colorado got its third win last season. Maybe Dan Hawkins’ seat is getting a little less warm. Oh, and did anybody mention that Saturday’s win was against Georgia? The win was Colorado’s first win at home against an SEC opponent (lost the only other matchup 44-0 to LSU in 1979). Now, the Buffaloes will begin their final tour in the Big 12 before moving into the Pac 10 next season. They’ll begin conference play against Missouri, which has won the last three matchups with Colorado by a combined score of 149-27. No better time for the Buffaloes to keep turning the program around.

No. 6 Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 in the Big 12) Last week: W 28-20 vs. No. 21 Texas This week: Bye

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The Sooners made fairly easy work of rival Texas last week to move to 5-0 and right in the hunt for a shot at the national title. But, don’t let the No. 6 in front of its name fool you, Oklahoma hasn’t exactly been blowing people

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas runs against Iowa State on Sept. 18 in Kansas City, Mo. Nebraska must try to stop the nation’s fifth-leading rusher in the Huskers’ first conference game. File photo: Charlie Riedel/The Associated Press

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Friday, October 8, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 11

PICKS vs.

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Jake Lovett, sports editor 25-10

Utah — Utah plays a lot like Iowa. This does not bode well.

Florida — Just what Florida’s struggling offense needed: a matchup with a defense that allows 12.4 points per game. Wait, what?

Alabama — Unless Cocky is going out on defense, no USC defender will stop Mark Ingram or Trent Richardson.

Arkansas — Both offenses are top 20. Both defenses are top 25. Something will have to give. Like A&M’s defense.

Michigan — Mike Dantonio views stress reducers like Denard Robinson sees shoelaces: optional.

Florida State — Jacory Harris has a smaller waist than his girlfriend. And that chick is tiny.

Nebraska — Rumor is, Bill Snyder won’t be in attendance. You know, because it’ll be way past his bed time.

Chris Cuellar, sports writer 25-10

Utah — Cyclone fans often say, “Why not?” Well, 44 points a game and the nation’s No. 7 defense are good reasons.

Florida — Both teams should be ashamed after last week, but LSU has more holes than Gainesville police blotter.

Alabama — What’s the difference between Bama’s defense and Saban’s daughter? You can’t score on the defense.

Arkansas — One of these teams won this game by 28 last year. The other team has 14 turnovers in four games. Hmm.

Michigan —Denard carries his own defibrillator.

Miami — Road team has won this four years in a row. I guess all jail yards feel like home. Myron Rolle, what up?

Kansas State — Thursday nights are trap games, and Bill Snyder has plenty of mean cobwebs somewhere on his person.

Jeremiah Davis, sports

Iowa State — I told someone that I go with my head, not my heart on these. Maybe I’m going against that here, but why not? Worked out for Lovett last week.

Florida — Les Miles is the NCAA version of Andy Reid (See: awful clock management). Also, LSU may be the worst 5-0 team in college football.

Alabama — I can’t come up with any reason other than that Alabama is just really, really good.

Arkansas — Sure, call me a homer, but Arkansas gave Alabama its best game so far this year.

Michigan —So, how long before Denard Robinson becomes the runaway for the Heisman?

Florida State — Has Miami really looked like the 13th-best team in the country? Hasn’t to me, either.

Nebraska — Who have they played to justify saying they’re one of the best in the Big 12? Oh, right, Ida — I mean Wash — No, Western Kentu... My head hurts.

David Merrill, sports writer 21-14

Utah — After the last game I’m tempted to drink the Kool-Aid, but not tempted enough.

Florida — The only thing uglier than LSU’s wins are, well, wait, I tried. I got nothing.

Alabama — Even when this team takes a game off, it still manages to win. Not to mention, they spread the touchdowns around like Jesus’ last supper. Everybody gets some.

Texas A&M — Texas A&M is one of the teams that could contend for a Big 12 title this year, and we’ve all seen how Ryan Mallett performs under pressure.

Michigan State — I’m just as mystified by Denard Robinson as the next guy, and he’s good enough to beat Indiana by himself, but not an inspired Michigan State team.

Miami — The only thing that is going to be higher than the combined score is the number of prior offenses these two teams have. No, I’m not talking passing yards.

Nebraska — While this game may not look close on paper, this is Nebraska’s toughest test of the season, Nebraska will win, but Bo Pelini still won’t smile.

Travis Cordes, senior sports writer

Utah — Last weekend was great, but I’m still an Iowa State realist. I don’t have the balls to pick them in a game like this just yet.

Florida — Les Miles still doesn’t know how the game clock works. But, unlike Tennessee, Urban Meyer won’t let a 13-criminals-on-thefield penalty happen.

Alabama — Two successful college coaches who went from the SEC to the NFL, then back. Only difference is, Saban came back to a program that matters.

Texas A&M — Some of you were barely teenagers when I took my first college road trip to see an A&M game. Wow, I really need to get out of Ames.

Michigan — I really don’t care who wins this one. I’m just glad I didn’t have to pick an Iowa or Auburn game.

Miami — Wide right, wide left. Who cares? They won’t get a chance to miss one this time anyway.

Nebraska — This one scares me as a Husker fan. But I don’t care, I’m still a homer. GBR.

columnist

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Utah: The Quick Facts ¨

Location: Salt Lake City

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Enrollment: 29,284 (Autumn 2009)

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Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1

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Nickname: Utes

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Mascot: Swoop (red-tailed hawk)

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The Utes play in Rice-Eccles Stadium, which seats 45,017.

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85 percent of the student body are Utah residents.

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Undergraduate tuition and fees per 12-credit term: Utah resident, $2,645; Out-of-state resident, $8,313.

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43 percent of undergraduate classes have 20 or fewer students.

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Utah has averaged 9.9 wins per season from 2003 to 2009, including two undefeated seasons in 2004 and 2008.

¨

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Of non-BCS conference schools, Utah has the most wins against BCS competition with a 20-11 record. Utah has won nine straight bowl games.

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The Utes are a member of the Mountain West Conference, until their move to the Pac 10 next year.

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Utah has won 20 straight home games.

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There were 26 Utes active on professional football rosters June 1, including Steve Smith, Alex Smith, Jordan Gross and Eric Weddle.

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Some of the Utes’ more prolific alums include Jamal Anderson, Mike Anderson, Kevin Dyson, Andre Dyson and Luther Elliss. The Utes have had six NFL first round picks.

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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 Daily super-duper senior Travis Cordes.

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12 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 8, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

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