Gridiron

Friday, October 1, 2010 >> Iowa State vs. Texas Tech >> Kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday >> an Iowa State Daily sports supplement

ABOVE: John Arnaud, former defensive back for the Cyclones from 1980 to 1982, is the father of ISU quarterback Austen Arnaud.

Courtesy photo: ISU Athletics RIGHT: Quarterback Austen Arnaud throws during the game against Kansas State on Sept. 18. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

ABOVE: Defensive end Patrick Neal chases an opponent during the game against Kansas State on Sept.

18. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily LEFT: Brian Neal, former ISU offensive lineman, is the father of current ISU defensive end Patrick Neal. Courtesy photo: ISU Athletics

family

weekend FAMILY.p2 >>

ISU defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, left, watches as his son Shane coaches members of the ISU defense during a game last season. Courtesy photo: ISU Athletics

2 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 1, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Weekend marks time to celebrate family Cyclones enjoy time with ‘football family,’ parents and siblings

By Jake.Lovett iowastatedaily.com If a team is a family, it’s easy to make the connections.

They refer to one another as brothers, they laugh, sweat and cry with each other day in and day out.

Oftentimes, they live together and spend nearly every hour of the day with each other.

Saturday, the ISU football team — along with the rest of the ISU community — will celebrate Cyclone Family Weekend, reminding everyone that there’s family outside of football, too.

“You don’t have to wait until the weekend for that to be the case,” said ISU football coach Paul Rhoads.

“Family is always important. It always plays a factor.” ________________________________ Drew Davis has always been a part of a Cyclone family.

ISU sophomore offensive lineman Drew Davis stands with his two sisters. Davis, a Dubuque native, grew up a Cyclone fan as his parents both attended and graduated from Iowa State. Courtesy photo: Lisa Davis

Fans may not recognize his name, but he’s hard to miss as the team exits practice.

The 6-foot-8-inch redshirt sophomore grew up in Dubuque, playing football and basketball.

His parents, Tom and Barb, were ISU graduates and raised their kids

in cardinal and gold, so when the time came for Davis to pick his school, the choice was obvious.

“I had been to football games here in the past,” Davis said.

“Growing up a Cyclone fan was definitely one of the major factors in deciding.”

Ultimately, the tie to the Cyclones came from his parents, but it was cemented by his visits during his younger days.

His parents brought him to campus for numerous events aside from sporting events, including Veishea.

Schools like Iowa and Wisconsin were interested in Davis, but at the time of his recruitment, Davis was interested in engineering — another edge for his preferred school.

That, and like most ISU fans, the thought of spending four years in Iowa City wasn’t appealing.

“I just couldn’t see myself in the black and gold,” he said.

He’s been in Ames for three years, and has since switched over to an environmental science major.

Before he arrived, Davis’ parents made sure he knew what he was getting into, and gave him some pointers on Iowa State and college life.

Now, on Saturdays in the fall, the Davis family can be together on the campus they have all called home at some point.

“They come down for games early, walk around and reminisce,” Davis said.

“They tell stories about their col-

lege life here, and it’s kind of cool.”

And although No. 70 in red has yet to see the field either last season or in the first four games of this year, he’s made some strides.

He’s one of many that fights for a spot on the team’s travel squad — a narrower version of the roster that travels to away games — and earned a spot to travel to Iowa City earlier this year.

“When I was a freshman, all the hard work paid off when I ran out into the stadium the first time,” he said. ________________________________ Most every time Rhoads walks off the practice field, he’s got three shadows in tow.

His wife of 19 years, Vickie, and his two sons, Wyatt and Jake, follow him wherever — and whenever — they can.

Rhoads is as busy as you would expect the coach of a Division I football program to be. But, with his sons growing along side his near-infant program — just 21 months old — it’s important he makes time for them,

FAMILY.p4 >>

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4 | SPORTS | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 1, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

>>FAMILY.p2 too.

“My son plays JV games on Mondays and tomorrow he starts at 6 o’clock and I go on the radio show at 7, so I want to be able to go out and see 45 minutes or so of his game,” Rhoads said.

“That’s exciting for me to be able to do that and fun to be in the stands to watch him play.”

As with most families, schedules are getting tighter as the years progress, and Rhoads said he doesn’t see his sons or wife as often as he did at past stops in Auburn or Pittsburgh.

Vickie, though, said her husband’s promotion to head man has given him a chance to be home more often.

“I actually spend more time with him as a head coach than as an assistant,” she said. “We have lunch a lot more, he actually comes home more. He may be down in the office working, but he’s in the house.”

Vickie is much more active with team members than Jake or Wyatt — at least in the public eye — and has become a kind of second mother for players — or even coaches.

The Rhoads family celebrates with the other coaches, be it birthdays or wins on the field.

Many coaches’ families are not as near to Ames as the Rhoads clan, same as many of the players.

“You go to the players, they become our family,” Vickie said. “I get a reminder when their birthdays are here, I make treats for them, we have them to our house. It’s fun to have a big football family.”

Paul’s move to Ames has brought much of the Rhoads family back together, too.

charge,” he said. ________________________________

Coach Paul Rhoads directs his players during the Cyclones’ game against Northern Illinois. The Cyclones defeated the Huskies 27-10 to open the 2010 season. Photo: Gene Pavelko/Iowa State Daily

He’s an Ankeny native, so Jake and Wyatt have aunts and uncles in the area to come support them and spend time with them if Paul can’t get away from the office.

Sometimes, he doesn’t leave the office often enough.

Vickie has made it routine to take her husband to lunch throughout the week, but she said rough weeks — like the 27-20 loss to Kansas State — always seem to make him want to push more.

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“Absolutely I have to pull him away,” she said.

“He gets involved. But you’ve still got to step away and catch your breath and go back with a clear head. He listens sometimes.”

Rhoads said he doesn’t manage his stress very well — “I don’t exercise ... I don’t eat very good, I don’t sleep a whole lot,” he said — but having his family close to him helps to keep him calm and keep him going.

“Anytime I see them walk through the doors or walk onto the practice field, it gives me a little

Austen Arnaud and Patrick Neal are secondgeneration Cyclones.

The quarterback’s father, John Arnaud, was a defensive back for the Cyclones from 1980-82.

Neal’s father, Brian, was an offensive lineman for the Cyclones during the late 70s.

“I remember growing up and hearing stories about my dad and his old playing days here and him taking me to the games and stuff,” Neal said.

“I’m sure he always hoped that I’d play here, I’m sure it’s kind of a dream for him to have me play here, too.”

Like Davis, Neal said growing up a Cyclone fan is what ultimately drew him to playing for Iowa State.

While his dad may have dreamed about his son being a Cyclone, he never pressured him or even pushed him into doing it.

“That was a dream come true,” Neal said.

“I’ve always wanted to play for Iowa State.

It had always been my goal to come play as a Cyclone.”

The same goes for Arnaud. He said it was obvious where his dad wanted him to play his college ball, but that his father wanted the decision to be what was best for his son.

“It definitely adds more of an impact, more significance just knowing my dad wore these jerseys, too,” Arnaud said.

Both players have strong ties to Ames and the ISU community.

FAMILY.p5 >>

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Friday, October 1, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 5

>>FAMILY.p4 The obvious tie is their fathers. Neal’s brother John was a member of the ISU basketball team from 2002-06, he has a brother currently attending Iowa State and another brother due to attend in the near future.

Arnaud, though, is from Ames and has multiple family members at each ISU football game.

“It means a lot to me just because they’ve been around and have seen me play probably every game I’ve ever played,” Arnaud said. “Just to have them there is important.

I think it’s important to a lot of guys to have family there watching.” __________________________ Shane Burnham didn’t see much of his father growing up.

His father, ISU defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, has been coaching college football for more than 40 years. Four of those years were as the defensive coordinator at South Carolina, the same years that Shane was a linebacker for the Gamecocks.

Twelve years after Shane’s graduation from South Carolina, the father and son are together again, coaching on the ISU defensive staff.

“You put in terrible hours as a coach as far as time away from the family, so I guess we’re making up for lost time, so to speak,” Shane said. “It’s just one of those experiences that very few people get to do.”

When Rhoads was hired as the Cyclones’ head coach in December of 2008, the elder Burnham was one of the first additions to the coaching staff.

Shane, a coach at Elon University at the time, heard nothing about a job opportunity after his dad took the new job in Ames.

“I recommended him to Paul,” Wally said. “That’s the only impact I had.”

Shortly after the recommendation, a position on the staff opened up. Wally called his son, asking him if he was interested in taking a job at Iowa State.

“I said, ‘That’s one of the dumbest questions you’ve ever asked me. Yes, of course I’d be interested,’” Shane said.

It would be a few weeks

J. Arnaud

A. Arnaud

B. Neal

P. Neal

before Rhoads put a call in to Shane — who said he was “more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs” — to gauge his interest and begin discussing a position.

“I just didn’t want to screw up the opportunity,” he said.

Both Burnhams said the opportunity to coach together was a dream, and they both said it with the same, slow Alabama drawl.

“I always wanted him to coach in college at this level and I always wanted to coach with him before I retired,” Wally said. “That happened, and that means a lot to me and my family — my wife and

for it,” Shane said.

Shane guessed he had four or five years left with his dad on the same sideline. He figured that, in 20 years, he can look back and better appreciate the limited time the two had together.

“Just knowing that the clock was running out and getting ready to expire on this opportunity just makes it all that much more fun.” __________________________

ISU defensive coordinator Wally Burnham coaches during a game last season. Burnham coaches with his son Shane for the ISU football team. File photo: Iowa State Daily

his brothers and sister — and hopefully it means a lot to him to be able to do that.”

Wally, a graduate of Samford University in 1963, said his son coaches with his smarts, a lot like he played at South Carolina.

Shane was a three-time Academic All-SEC selection while also being a four-year letterwinner playing for his dad.

But, Wally also said he doesn’t get to sit back and watch his son being a coach as much as he’d like.

“I see him coaching, and I’m proud of him,” he said, “the way he coaches and the way he handles himself in a professional way.”

Shane said his dad is mellower now at age 69, and that the two can still get heated when it comes to defensive

football, but disagreements between the Burnhams never last long.

The younger models his coaching style off the elder.

He’s figuring out how to shut off the “drill sergeant,” and if his father taught him anything, it’s how to build relationships with his players by listening.

“Listen more, say less.

You’ve got two ears, you’ve got one mouth and there’s a reason

Vickie Rhoads called it a “big football family.”

Paul, though, said he doesn’t make too much of what his players call the “Cyclone family.” The weekend’s name brings awareness to something that’s always on their minds.

“Since [the team] breaks down huddles ‘Cyclone Family’ a good bit of the time, I’d consider it to be very important,” Rhoads said. “It’s not something that I overdo, talking about this team as a family.

“But we do bring it up, and they bring it up a lot more than me, so it’s very important to them.”

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6 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 1, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iow

TTU Defense 7 Will Ford 6’0” 195 lbs So. CB

41 Sam Fehoko 6’0” 233 lbs Jr. SLB

2010 Leaders Passing Arnaud, A. Rushing Robinson, A. Arnaud, A.

Cmp Att Pct Yds Td Int 63 109 57.8 590 2 5

Car Yds Avg Long Td 64 301 4.7 63 3

36 104 2.9 12 1

Receiving

Franklin, C.

Darks, D.

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

Rec Yds 15 152 12 114 12 100 12 87 7 64

Avg Long Td 10.1 34 0 9.5 16 1 8.3 23 0 7.2 15 0 9.1 16 1

Tackles Defense Solo Ast Total Sacks Klein, A.J. 13 28 41 Knott, J.

18 17 35 Sims, D.

13 8 21 Johnson, L. 12 8 20 Ruempolhamer, S. 7 12 19 2.0 Sandvig, Z. 10 6 16 Reeves, J. 9 7 16 O’Connell, M. 8 7 15

94 Scott Smith 6’6” 266 lbs Jr. LE 16 Cody Davis 6’2” 194 lbs So. FS

93 Colby Whitlock 6’3” 294 lbs Sr. NT 20 Bront Bird 6’4” 248 lbs Sr. MLB

26 Franklin Mitchem 6’2” 200 lbs Sr. SS

98 Donald Langley 6’2” 274 lbs Jr. DT

57 Brian Duncan 6’1” 248 lbs Sr. RE 13 Julius Howard 5’11” 220 lbs Sr. WLB

12 D.J. Johnson 6’0” 190 lbs So. CB

Northern Illinois 10 Iowa State 27 Sept. 2

Iowa State 7 Iowa 35 Sept. 11

Iowa State 20 Kansas State 27 Sept. 18

Iowa State 27 Northern Iowa 0 Sept. 25

ISU Offense 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

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

6 Darius Darks 6’1” 189 lbs Jr. WR

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

Iowa State vs. Utah Oct. 9 Jack Trice Stadium

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Friday, October 1, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 7

TTU Offense 19 Lyle Leong 6’1” 175 lbs Sr. WR

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

17 Detron Lewis 6’0” 208 lbs Sr. WR

20 Jake Knott 6’2” 240 lbs So. WLB

2010 leaders 65 LaAdrian Waddle 6’6” 322 lbs So. LT 78 Lonnie Edwards 6’4” 322 lbs Jr. LG

29 Rashawn Parker 6’ 250 lbs Sr. RE 3 Zac Sandvig 5’10” 193 lbs Sr. FS 26 Taylor Mansfield 6’1” 263 lbs Sr. NG

73 Justin Keown 6’4” 300 lbs Jr. C

12 Taylor Potts 6’5” 222 lbs Sr. QB 25 Baron Batch 5’10” 210 lbs Sr. RB

66 Deveric Gallington 6’3” 314 lbs So. RG 74 Mickey Okafor 6’6” 305 lbs Jr. RT

Passing Potts, T.

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

11 Tramain Swindall 6’3” 184 lbs Sr. WR

Cmp Td Int 63.1 8 2

Rushing Car Batch, B. 32 Stephens, E. 23 Jeffers, H. 7

Yds Avg 121 3.8 88 3.8 44 6.3

Long 25 13 12

Td 2 2 0

Receiving Leong, L. Lewis, D. Franks, J. Swindall, T. Douglas, C.

Yds 251 165 128 54 57

Long 34 22 30 20 26

Td 6 1 0 0 0

Rec 20 15 14 7 5

Defense Solo Bront, B.

15 Davis, C. 14 Johnson, D.J. 13 Ford, W. 10 Duncan, B. 11 Sonier, T. 11 Phillips, J. 7 Howard, J. 8

45 Matt Morton 6’0” 207 lbs So. SLB

8 Jacoby Franks 6’1” 185 lbs Jr. WR

Cmp Att Yds 77 122 810

Avg 12.6 11.0 9.1 7.7 11.4

Tackles Ast Total Sacks 6 21 1.0 3 17 3 16 4 14 3 14 5.0 2 13 1.0 3 10 1 9

22 Ter’ran Benton 6’ 197 lbs Jr. LCB

Graphic: Moriah Smith/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 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 1, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Big 12 conference team roundup

See conference team updates, how this week compares to last week for teams Nebraska (4-0, 0-0 Big 12)

Last Week: W 17-3 vs.

South Dakota State This Week: at Kansas State (4-0, 1-0) Quarterback Taylor Martinez passed for 140 yards and rushed for 75, but he turned the ball over three times in an effort that coach Bo Pelini described as embarrassing.

Pelini went on to say that he felt the Jackrabbits outplayed his team while flying around the field and showing more passion than the Cornhuskers.

He said he takes responsibility for the team’s performance, which showed lack of preparation.

Rex Burkhead rushed for 66 yards on 14 carries.

Kyle Minett rushed for 113 yards on 28 carries for South Dakota State.

Wide receiver Niles Paul fumbled for the fourth time in four games for Nebraska,

and the Huskers were penalized on six straight plays on their final offensive possession of the first half.

Linebacker Lavonte David recorded 19 tackles and broke up two passes for the Huskers in the victory. Derek Domino finished with 16 tackles and an interception for the Jackrabbits.

Nebraska hasn’t lost to an FBS team since 1956.

The Cornhuskers play their Big 12 opener against Kansas State on Saturday.

Texas Tech (2-1, 0-1) Last Week: Bye This Week: Iowa State (2-2, 0-1)

Texas Tech is coming off a bye week following a loss to Texas.

The Red Raiders are averaging 33.7 points per game and are also putting up 275 yards through the air.

Taylor Potts has a chance to eclipse the 1,000 passingyard mark, as he’s heading into the game against the Cyclones with 810 passing yards.

Kyle Leong has stepped up in the receiving game for the Red Raiders, hauling in 20 receptions for 251 yards and six touchdowns.

Baron Batch has run for 127 yards on 32 carries thus far this season.

The last time these two teams met, wide receiver Michael Crabtree set an NCAA record for receiving touchdowns by a freshman, with three, in which the Red Raiders cruised to 42-17 victory Graham Harrell was 36-43 for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

Kansas (2-2, 0-0)

Last Week: W 42-16 vs.

New Mexico State This Week: at Baylor (3-1,

0-0) D.J. Beshears led the way for the Jayhawks, scoring three touchdowns, including one on a 96-yard kick off return.

Jordan Webb threw for 249 yards on 17 completions as Kansas racked up 501 yards of total offense.

It didn’t take the Jayhawks long to put points up on the board, going 88 yards in just three plays to go up 7-0.

Their first possession of the second half had them go up 28-7, racking up 62 yards on five plays, Kansas has had an upand-down season in its first under coach Turner Gill.

The Jayhawks opened the season with a loss to South Dakota before upsetting Georgia Tech. They then dropped a game to Southern Mississippi before routing New Mexico State.

Kansas has won three straight Big 12 openers, but is 6-8 all time and 0-6 in its last six Big 12 road games.

Kansas running back D.J. Beshears gets past New Mexico State safety Donyae Coleman for a touchdown during the first half of the teams’ game in Lawrence, Kan., on Saturday. Photo: Orlin Wagner/The Associated Press

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Friday, October 1, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 9

Baylor was beaten 58-10 in this matchup last season, but that was to a very different and much more talented Jayhawks team.

Defensive end Jake Laptad needs one sack to move into fifth place on the Kansas all-time sack list.

have to give.

Will Tyler Hansen, a near-default choice at quarterback after the struggles at the positions last year, be able to move the ball against the Georgia pass defense? The Bulldogs have only allowed 198.5 yards per game this season and have forced four interceptions.

Hansen? He’s accounted for 186 yards per game and four interceptions. So, the difference might come down to the running game.

The Buffaloes are led by Rodney Stewart, who has gone for 253 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Colorado will begin conference play against Big 12 North opponent Missouri on Oct. 9.

No. 8 Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0) Last week: W 31-29 vs.

Cincinnati This week: vs. No. 21 Texas (3-1, 1-0)

Something about unranked opponents brings out the worst in Oklahoma. Through three games against unranked conference opponents, the Sooners have outscored their opponents 89-77.

But, when they played No. 17 Florida State? Oklahoma won 47-17 and put up 140 more yards than the Seminoles. Those numbers don’t bode well for No. 21 Texas, next on the slate for Bob Stoops’ boys. Add in the fact that Texas was soundly defeated by UCLA last week, and you’ve got a recipe for a bad day of football at the Cotton Bowl.

Oklahoma is 34th nationally in total offense, averaging 429.5 yards per game. The Oklahoma defense, though, has not been as much fun for OU fans to watch. The unit has allowed 421.25 yards per game — 148 yards more per game than last

Texas’ Jeremy Hills buries his head in his hands during the final moments of the fourth quarter in the loss to UCLA on Saturday. The Longhorns were more than a two-touchdown favorite at home. Photo: Eric Gay/The Associated Press

season — 97th in the nation.

But, offensively, Landry Jones has not been a disappointment.

The sophomore has completed 64.5 percent of his passes, has 1,221 yards, nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. After this matchup, the Sooners have Iowa State, Missouri and Colorado in consecutive weeks, closing out their schedule against the Big 12 North.

Colorado (2-1, 0-0) Last week: Bye

This week: vs. Georgia (1-3) Before the season if you had told Dan Hawkins he’d be facing a 1-3 Georgia squad, he probably would have laughed you out of his office.

Well, oddly enough, that’s what faces the 2-1 Buffaloes in their final non-conference game. The Buffaloes are also coming off of a bye week, meaning that the offense has had plenty of time to prepare for a Georgia defense that has only allowed 307 yards per game.

Compare that to Colorado’s 333 yards per game, and something will

Missouri (4-0, 0-0)

Last week: W 51-13 vs. Miami (OH) This week: Bye The Tigers will take a week off after completing their non-conference schedule against the Redhawks with a 51-13 win Saturday. Missouri moved up from No. 24 to No. 23 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, but has yet to crack the more widely accepted Associated Press poll, but did receive 51 votes of consideration.

No one should get carried away on the Missouri bandwagon just yet, though. While the Tigers are outscoring opponents by an average

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of 23.75 points per game, they did so against the likes of Miami (OH) and the Championship Subdivision’s McNeese State. The two close games Missouri had — a 10-point win over Illinois and a three-point squeaker against San Diego State — might also be points of concern.

It should also be noted that the Tigers have yet to play a game on the road — including their matchup with Illinois, which was played in supposed midpoint St. Louis — and don’t play a game away from Columbia until Oct. 16 against Texas A&M. After that game against the Aggies? Three of the Tigers’ final five games will be played away from home — one of which is against No. 6 Nebraska — and have a home game against No. 8 Oklahoma.

Let’s just say there’s a long way to go yet, Missouri fans.

No. 21 Texas Longhorns (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: L 34-12 vs. UCLA This Week: vs. No. 8 Oklahoma (4-0) Last week would be one that most Longhorns fans would want to forget, as a top 10 team with a topranked rush defense got run over by a middling UCLA team.

The offense failed to show up, and

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10 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 1, 2010

>>ROUNDUP.p9 the defense couldn’t stop anything up the middle. Texas’ rush offense, pass offense and points per game aren’t even in the top 50 in the country. Forget Colt McCoy, this Longhorns’ offense doesn’t even look to be one of the best in the Big 12 South. The Bruins didn’t even have to pass to win, going one-dimensional on offense and still winning by 22.

If Oklahoma only has Landry Jones throw nine times in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl, you can bet the Longhorns are going to be in a world of hurt again. No running game, lack of a down-field passing game, and losing the turnover battle? Texas might have to earn their way back into the top 25 if they fall Saturday.

Texas A&M Aggies (3-0, 0-0) Last Week: Bye This Week: @ Oklahoma State (3-0)

The Aggies will get their first real test of the year on Thursday when they travel to Boone Pickens Stadium, and take on the only other Big 12 offense that has had as much wild success as they have.

Quarterback Jerrod Johnson is 11th in the nation in total offense per game, but just two spots above him is Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. Johnson’s opposing quarterback wasn’t as highly touted coming into the season with a deeper backfield and lower expectations, but expect the statuesque No. 1 to bring his A-game on the road to do his single-handed best to preserve an undefeated start.

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

The bye week should help an Aggie defense that hasn’t seen similar speed yet, but offensively, it’s hard to believe you’re going to find a better game to watch on Saturday than what should occur in Stillwater, Okla., on Thursday.

The boys from College Station were supposed to right in the thick of the battle for the Big 12 South, and a road win against an explosive Oklahoma State would be a great start.

Kansas State Wildcats (4-0, 1-0) Last Week: W 17-13 vs. UCF This Week: Bye

Bill Snyder’s club is lucky enough to get a bye week heading into the Nebraska game, but the timing of the bye week is questionable. The Wildcats are just votes away from entering the top 25 and the consciousness of the national media, and running back Daniel Thomas is on the cusp of becoming a star.

But starting 4-0 and hosting No. 6 Nebraska a week from now at the namesake stadium isn’t a bad beginning to a year in which the Wildcats just wanted to get to a bowl game.

The numbers won’t blow you off the page, No. 62 in total offense, No. 58 in total defense, but Thomas’ running ability and the fact that this team is undefeated are undeniable.

It’s doubtful this squad adds any wrinkles to the passing game or to a defense that plays as a sound, fluid unit, ranking seventh nationally in defensive pass efficiency, but Snyder has seen enough football to know that Nebraska is a force the Wildcats must overcome to return to the peak of the Big 12 North. Don’t be surprised if this team is in Big 12 Championship come December.

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Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray breaks away for a touchdown run during the fourth quarter of a game against Florida International on Sept. 18, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M beat Florida International 27-20. Photo: David J. Phillip/The Associated Press

Baylor Bears (3-1, 0-0) Last Week: W 30-13 vs. Rice This Week: vs. Kansas (2-2)

Coach Art Shell can’t be too sure what to make of his team entering week five. He won’t learn too much after this meeting with Kansas either, hosting one of the most inconsistent teams in the country on Saturday. = The Bears have looked stellar against lowflight competition, and another dominating effort against a Texas-school proved that.

Robert Griffin’s passing numbers look good,

and the defense looks strong for the Bears, allowing under 17 points a game, but factor in a 45-10 beatdown loss to TCU two weeks ago, and you don’t know much of anything.

Baylor’s rushing offense is spread about four different ways, with back Jay Finley leading the charge with under 60 yards per game, but the team has been able to get it done.

While the Jayhawks are statistically sour, they got their biggest win of the year last week, and are standing in between Baylor only needing two more wins for bowl eligibility and fighting an uphill battle against the Big 12 South. The opponent may not be substantial, but this is a big game in Waco.

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Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Friday, October 1, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 11

PICKS

Editor’s note: This is week five of the Daily’s season-long Gridiron challenge. Each week, the Iowa State Daily’s three football reporters and the sports desk 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 ISU wrestling coach Kevin Jackson.

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Jake Lovett, sports editor 20-8

Iowa State — The TTU defense is ranked 100th against the pass — 260 yards per game. No better time for the ISU offense to get going.

Texas — Call me crazy, but the Sooners have been playing about as consistently as Tiger since November.

Michigan State — Denard Robinson is going to go off in this game!

What? I’m being told Michigan has another school ... Why did no one tell me this!?

NC State — Am I the only one that remembers Virginia Tech losing to James Madison?

They were even at home!!! That’s three exclamation points!

Alabama — I know Gators’ fans are antsy that Trey Burton is the next Tim Tebow, but Christians have had to wait 2,000-plus years for their second coming.

Oregon — Oregon is the fastest team in the history of history.

Oregon gets 560 yards of offense per game.

One of these is true.

Maybe both.

Iowa — The Hawkeyes has allowed just 227 yards per game — NCAA’s best. And they’re at home. And Penn State is 67th in total offense. Yup.

Chris Cuellar, sports writer 21-7

Texas Tech — Both teams are alternating QBs. One team has a QB with a fu manchu and another called, “Sticks.” Great.

Oklahoma — This looks like Chris Simms’ Texas team. That isn’t a compliment.

Michigan State — Welcome to October: The month everyone realizes Wisconsin’s running backs aren’t that fast.

Virginia Tech — Russell Wilson is too short to play quarterback for James Madison. Not a verified fact, but it’s gotta be close.

Florida — When Meyer and Saban shake hands, I hope they exchange information on junior high recruiting and hair product.

Stanford — Did any of you really trick yourselves into believing a team out of the Pac-10 would get a title shot?

Iowa — Hawkeye fans hug their national title hopes like a deaf zombie. It’s over. Arizona hit your head. Go away.

Jeremiah Davis, sports

Texas Tech — This isn’t Leach’s Air Raid offense, but will do a little more damage than UNI. That said, Iowa State will keep it close.

Oklahoma — Did either of these teams impress you last week? It’ll be close, but not the way it was when Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford were there.

Wisconsin — Another win for the Spartans might give Mark Dantonio another heart attack. Too soon? I’m just looking out for his health here.

Virginia Tech — It’s hard to believe VT was once ranked No. 10 and was in the discussion for the national title. Still, I’ll go with Beamer ball to get a much-needed win.

Alabama — The Tide have the longest winning streak in the nation. And as much as I dislike Nick Saban as a person, the man can coach.

Oregon — Oregon looks for real. I might think they were more legit if Gordon Bombay was the coach and Charlie Conway was his team captain.

Iowa — This will be a low-scoring, defensive game — in other words, boring. Just like every other Big Ten game.

David Merrill, sports writer 19-9

Texas Tech — While Tech’s air raid offense isn’t what it used to be under Mike Leach, its still plenty lethal.

Oklahoma — Not exactly the opponent the Longhorns want to be facing after an embarrassing loss to UCLA.

Wisconsin — The Badgers are making their Gridiron debut this season and have looked impressive. I’ll take them by a field goal.

NC State — Virginia Tech has shown that they just aren’t very good and the Wolfpack have some momentum after a solid victory over Georgia Tech.

Alabama — Look for Florida to take ‘Bama down to the wire again, but ‘Bama survives.

There’s no way they’re losing this early in the season.

Stanford — This is probably going to to be the game of the week, and I think Stanford’s defense is going to be the difference as it’s easily the best that the Ducks have seen so far.

Penn State — Any chance I get to pick against the Hawkeyes in a game that is very losable, I’m going to do it.

Kevin Jackson

Iowa State — Coach Rhoads is the man with the plan and one of my main men! Gotta go with I-State. Get ‘er done boys!

Oklahoma —OU has been struggling this year, but after losing to Texas the last couple years, they will put it on the Longhorns.

Michigan State — I grew up in Lansing, Mich., five minutes from MSU. Plus, too much cheese can have a negative effect on the digestive system ...

NC State — They have a squad and are the real deal, and their QB can flat-out ball. VT is not the VT we are used to seeing.

Alabama — Saban scares his players into playing to their potential. Just kidding — kind of. When you have 12-15 NFL players, it’s hard for them to lose.

Oregon — This will be a fun game to watch. It’s a pick ‘em game with the way they play in the Pac-10, and I only pick UO because they are home.

Penn State — I don’t like either team! But is there any question as to why I would like to see PSU win? I thought not ...

columnist

19-9

ISU wrestling coach

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Seasons Marketplace 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Union Drive Marketplace 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Students with a meal plan can bring two guests for free to ISU Dining’s family weekend brunch in the dining centers!

www.dining.iastate.edu

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12 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, October 1, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

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