Gridiron

Friday, November 5, 2010 >> Iowa State vs. Kansas >> Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Saturday >> an Iowa State Daily sports supplement

Field of friends Linebackers bond on, off the field FEATURE.p2 >>

ABOVE: A.J. Klein and Jake Knott make a tackle against Texas Tech on Oct. 2. Klein and Knott are first and second in tackles for the Cyclones with 93 and 92. File photo: David Livingston/ Iowa State Daily LEFT: ISU linebacker Jake Knott walks off the field against Utah. RIGHT: A.J. Klein celebrates with Knott in the game against Kansas State on Sept. 18. File photo: Rebekka Brown/Iowa State Daily

7

A look at Nebraska:

Gameday information on the Cyclones’ Big 12 opponent

8

Big 12 roundup:

A quick peek at the rest of the Big 12 conference

11

Picks:

Daily staffers pick big games from around the country

2 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, November 5, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Linebackers linked on, off the field ISU’s Klein, Knott inseparable friends as well as teammates

By David.Merrill @iowastatedaily.com Linebacker A.J. Klein struggled to find the words.

When asked what the term was to describe the relationship between himself and fellow linebacker Jake Knott, he knew what it was, he just couldn’t say it.

Bond, chemistry, connection, cohesiveness, familiarity; all those adjectives could be reasons the results the two linebackers have produced this season have been nothing short of impressive.

“We’ve been playing together at the same spot for over year now,” Klein said. “With the coaching staff coaching staff coaching us up, I feel like we know what each other is doing, and off of that we can kind of game plan to suit each other’s strong points.”

The two linebackers are just an

ISU linebackers A.J. Klein (47) and Jake Knott (20) make a tackle against Kansas on Saturday. Klein and Knott have emerged as the leaders of the ISU defense in their first season as starters. File photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily

inch apart in height- Klein at 6’1 and Knott at 6’2- and each are listed at 240 pounds. Klein has 93 tackles on the season while Knott has 92. The

next closest tackle total is safety David Sims with 71.

Klein and Knott are even close in number of interceptions on the

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season with three and four respectively. The two linebackers interception numbers lead the team in that category.

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While Klein and Knott are no longer roommates, as they were their freshman season under coach Paul Rhoads, they still live right across the street. What free time they have away from football-related activities, they spend together, which creates an even stronger bond on the field.

“I think we’ve spent a lot of time together and know each other really well,” Knott said.

“Through just hanging out and being in the football offices and lifting together, we know what each other are thinking at times, and we know each other’s strong points and weaknesses, so we help each other out any way we can.”

On weekends, what little free time they have away from the game, they spend at each other’s places playing video games or doing homework. The video game playing includes one of their favorite games — which ever is the latest installment in the “Call of Duty” series.

Knott is the more experienced player of the two, due to his extensive hours spent playing the game when not on the football field.

“Every time I play Xbox, his gamer

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4 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, November 5, 2010

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>>LINEBACKERS.p2

tag is always showed as signed in,” Klein said.

“He’s constantly playing that game.”

Fellow gamers should take caution when playing Knott in the game via the Internet; he has been known to build up 30 kills in a row before going down.

By comparison, Klein’s highest total kills in one online game is 31.

Klein and Knott became quick friends off the field, but getting in sync on the football field took a little longer. The reason that took longer came from the maturity standpoint and learning the game at a higher level than in their high school days, and then from game to game in college.

Neither of these guys was a slouch in his freshman campaign, however. Klein recorded 17 tackles and forced a fumble, which he recovered.

He had four tackles in the Cyclones’ 9-7 victory over Nebraska.

Knott finished his freshman season with 23 tackles. He had six-tackle performances against Kent State and Baylor.

From their freshman season to their nowsophomore seasons, defensive coordinator Wally Burnham has seen their biggest improvement in their knowledge of the game.

“It would probably be knowing the overall defense and also in the their pass coverage,” Burnham said. “That shows up because of interceptions they’ve had, tipped balls they’ve had and their overall knowledge they bring to the field every Saturday is invaluable.”

When they first came into the defensive system under Rhoads and Burnham, it took some time for them to adjust and be able to get to the level that they are at now.

There were a number of things that were

A.J.Klein

2010 statistics through nine games • Kimberly, Wisc. native • 6-foot-1-inches tall • 240 pounds • Sophomore Klein • Recorded 17 tackles and played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2009 • 2010 stats: 35 solo tackles, 58 assists, 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one fumble recovery • Returned two interceptions for touchdowns during 2010 season, against Kansas State and Northern Iowa • Second in the Big 12 in tackles with 10.33 per game

Jake Knott

2010 statistics through nine games

ISU defensive coordinator Wally Burnham coaches Jake Knott on the sideline in the Cyclones’ game against Utah. Burnham has coached both Knott and A.J. Klein since their freshman year and has watched them become Iowa State’s leading tacklers. File photo:Rebekka Brown/Iowa State Daily

knew to both of them at the college game than in their high school days. Klein had never watched film on an opponent in high school and Knott spent most of his time as a high school safety instead of a linebacker.

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They credit the coaching staff for bringing them along.

“When I first stepped in, my head was spinning,” Knott said. “Coach Rhoads and coach

LINEBACKERS.p5 >>

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• Waukee native • 6-foot-2-inches tall • 240 pounds • Sophomore Knott • Recorded 23 tackles and played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2009 • 2010 stats: 46 solo tackles, 46 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and three fumbles forced • Has had career-high total of 13 tackles on three seperate occasions this season, against Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Kansas • Third in the Big 12 in tackles with 10.22 per game

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Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

>>LINEBACKERS.p4

Burnham helped steer me in the right direction. The only reason I can make interceptions or do anything like that is because they told me to be there, and I’m just making the play they told me to to be there to make. Neither of us are doing anything special, just doing what the coaches told us to do.”

Klein, the Kimberly, Wisc., native, had other options besides Iowa State including an opportunity to walk on at Michigan State. The Spartans chose an in-state prospect over Klein, but he doesn’t have any hard feelings.

He feels that he made the right choice by coming to Iowa State and becoming a Cyclone.

“I’m happy that I made the right decision,” Klein said. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else besides here.

Coach Rhoads seemed like the right fit. The day he called me — Jake can say the same — I had the gut feeling inside that couldn’t go away. I went with it.”

Klein said that one of the duo’s strong points is making adjustments with each other during the course of the game. During their first season, they spent most of the time trying to learn their own individual spots, but now they can coach each other and tell each other what they are seeing then make the adjustments.

Burnham isn’t the only one taking notice of the pair’s feel for the game and their instincts. Knott knows his

fellow linebacker is one of the smartest people on the football field.

“I’d probably say how smart he is and how physical he is out there,” Knott said of Klein. “His football senses and how he can follow the ball are probably his strongest suits.”

Klein was quick to return the favor, saying he is impressed with Knott’s speed and how fast he plays the game.

He credited Knott with always being in the right spot at the right time and the ability to make big plays.

One of the biggest qualities Knott notices about Klein is the fact that he is always eating. Some of Klein’s favorite dishes include steak and potatoes as well as lobster. He also enjoys Jimmy Johns as a snack or a second lunch. Knott said Klein even brings food to the team meetings.

Steak, sandwiches and seafood aren’t the only things that feed Klein’s appetite. Both of the linebackers are hungry for more knowledge of the game and to keep growing as football players.

“Both of the kids are very studious football players,” Burnham said.

“They work hard in practice every day, they work hard in the film room so they’re making themselves better.

They know the game plan inside out.

“It’s great for a linebacker to know where his help is in pass coverage and in the run game. Their attitude about getting better and doing good has made them what they are.”

Friday, November 5, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 5

A.J. Klein (47), Jacob Lattimer (48) and Jake Knott celebrate in Iowa State’s game against Texas Tech on Oct. 3. Klein and Knott are first and second on the team in both tackles and interceptions. File photo: David Livingston/ Iowa State Daily

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6 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, November 5, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Nebraska Defense 21 Prince Amakamura 6’1” 205 lbs Sr. CB

2010 Leaders Passing Arnaud, A. Tiller, J. Rushing Robinson, A. Arnaud, A. Johnson, S.

Cmp Att Pct Yds Td Int 135 235 57.4 1364 10 8 14 32 43.8 109 0 0

Car Yds 136 725

81 250 33 215

Receiving

Franklin, C.

Darks, D.

Williams, J. Robinson, A. Reynolds, D. Defense Klein, A.J. Knott, J.

Sims, D.

Johnson, L. Reeves, J. Benton, T.

Rec 37 21 21 21 16

Yds 356 277 232 151 218

Avg Long Td 5.3 65 8 3.1 22 1 6.5 61 2 Avg Long Td 9.6 36 2 13.2 37 1 11 35 1 7.2 23 0 13.6 36 2

Tackles Solo Ast Total Sacks 35 58 93 46 46 92 41 30 71 37 18 55 35 14 49 30 17 47

7 DeJon Gomes 6’0” 200 lbs Sr. SS

ISU Offense 83 Jake Williams 6’2” 203 lbs Sr. WR

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

34 Cameron Meredith 6’4” 265 lbs So. LE

79 Brayden Burris 6’6” 290 lbs So. RT

45 Alonzo Whaley 6’1” 225 lbs So. WLB 55 Baker Steinkuhler 6’6” 290 lbs So. DT

75 Hayworth Hicks 6’3” 330 lbs Jr. RG

68 Ben Lamaak 6’4” 320 lbs Sr. C

4 Lavonte David 6’1” 210 lbs Jr. MLB

94 Jared Crick 6’6” 285 lbs Jr. DT

3 Rickey Thenarse 6’0” 210 lbs Sr. FS

95 Pierre Allen 6’5” 265 lbs Sr. RE

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

10 R 6’2”

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

28 Eric Hagg 6’1” 210 lbs Sr. NB

15 Alfonzo Dennard 5’10” 195 lbs Jr. CB

7 Darius Reynolds 6’2” 205 lbs Jr. WR

Nebraska leads the all-tim 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

Iowa State 52 Texas Tech 38 Oct. 2

Iowa State 27 Utah 68 Oct. 9

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Nebraska Offense 84 Brandon Kinnie 6’3” 220 lbs Jr. WR

Friday, November 5, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 7

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

81 Ben Cotton 6’6” 255 lbs So. TE 1 David Sims 5’9” 204 lbs Sr. SS 71 Jeremiah Sirles 6’6” 310 lbs Fr. LT

68 Keith Williams 6’5” 310 lbs Sr. LG

Roy Helu Jr. ” 220 lbs Sr. RB

3 Taylor Martinez 6’1” 195 lbs Fr. QB

Passing Cmp Att Yds Cmp Td Int Martinez, T. 72 120 1161 60.0 9 3 Lee, Z. 8 16 70 50.0 0 0

29 Rashawn Parker 6’ 250 lbs Sr. RE

85 Bailey Johnson 6’2” 278 lbs Sr. DT

20 Jake Knott 6’2” 240 lbs So. WLB

58 Mike Caputo 6’1” 275 lbs Jr. C

74 Ricky Henry 6’4” 305 lbs Sr. RG 44 Mike McNeill 6’4” 235 lbs Sr. HB

2010 leaders

78 Marcel Jones 6’7” 315 lbs Jr. RT

97 Stephen Ruempolhamer 6’3” 280 lbs Jr. NG

48 Jacob Lattimer 6’2” 245 lbs Jr. LE

47 A.J. Klein 6’1” 240 lbs So. MLB

3 Zac Sandvig 5’10” 193 lbs Sr. FS

Yds 886 807 441

Avg 7.9 7.9 6.0

Long 80 73 28

Td 12 8 3

Receiving Rec Paul, N. 27 Kinnie, B. 22 McNeill, M. 11 Burkhead, R. 9 Reed, K. 7

Yds 379 294 191 109 225

Avg 14.0 13.4 17.4 12.1 32.1

Long 33 55 64 31 79

Td 1 3 1 0 4

Defense David, L. Gomes, D. Crick, J. Smith, P.J. Meredith, C. Thenarse, R. Allen, P. Steinkuler, B.

5 Jeremy Reeves 5’7” 168 lbs So. NB

24 Niles Paul 6’1” 220 lbs Sr. WR

Rushing Car Martinez, T. 82 Helu, Jr., R. 102 Quigley, A. 73

22 Ter’Ran Benton 6’ 197 lbs Jr. LCB

Solo 42 34 19 17 18 13 11 12

Tackles Ast Total Sacks 44 86 3.0 33 77 20 39 4.5 19 36 16 34 0.5 21 34 19 30 2.5 17 29 3.5

Graphic: Moriah Smith/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State vs. Nebraska 2:30 p.m. Saturday Jack Trice Stadium

me series 85-17-2 Iowa State 0 Oklahoma 52 Oct. 16

Iowa State 28 Texas 21 Oct. 23

Iowa State 28 Kansas 16 Nov. 6

Iowa State @ Colorado Nov. 13 Boulder, Colo.

Iowa State vs. Missouri Nov. 20 Jack Trice Stadium

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

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Big 12 roundup: this week and last League picture becoming clearer as the weeks go on No. 11 Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1 Big 12)

Last week: W 43-10 vs. Colorado This week: @ Texas A&M Nothing cures what ails a team like a nice matchup with Colorado. After getting a little embarrassed by Missouri — and losing to the Tigers for the first time under Bob Stoops — the Sooners laid a whooping on poor Colorado to the tune of 43-10. Oklahoma outscored the Buffaloes 26-3 in the second quarter alone and let them into the red zone all of zero times. The OU defense held Colorado to 263 total yards, but that wasn’t even close to being the top story.

OU quarterback Landry Jones was 32-of-46 passing for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Oh, and that Ryan Broyles kid is pretty decent, too, grabbing nine passes for 208 yards and three of those touchdowns.

While times were hard following the Missouri loss, any OU fan will tell you that Texas losing brightens their day almost as much as a Sooners’ victory.

And our friends at the Oklahoma Daily say that the morale on campus seems to be going up each week thanks to the struggles of their rival to the south. This week, a trip to College Station is the task ahead of the No. 11 Sooners.

No. 14 Missouri (7-1, 3-1 Big 12)

Last week: L 31-17 @ Nebraska This week: @ Texas Tech Well, it was fun while it lasted. One week after beating then-top-ranked Oklahoma, Missouri had a bit of a letdown on the road at Big 12 North rival Nebraska. The Missouri offense, normally good (averaging 32.5 points per game), struggled its way to just 17 points against the Blackshirts and the defense, normally better (only allowing 15.4 points per game) was embarrassed for 31 points (a season high) and gave up 328 yards on the ground.

Just like that, a drop from No. 6 to No. 12 in the BCS rankings was in store for Missouri, and coach Gary Pinkel has to find a way to lead his team to a rebound.

Luckily for Pinkel and Co., Texas Tech is the next opponent. And, while Big 12 opponents are not to be taken lightly, it’s safe to assume that the Red Raiders’ 98th-ranked scoring defense doesn’t have MU quarterback Blaine Gabbert shaking with fear.

Colorado (3-5, 0-4 Big 12)

Last week: L 43-10 @ Oklahoma This week: @ Kansas People say some nasty things about Colorado, but its 3-5 record feels a world better than Kansas’ 2-6. The Buffaloes have had some good wins early in the season (over Hawaii and Georgia) and are still only three wins away from bowl eligibility, and the Jayhawks are one of their four remaining games.

Now, Iowa State, Kansas State and No. 9 Nebraska — teams with a combined 17-8 record — are the last three, so let’s not get carried away.

One could say the loss of starting quarterback Tyler Hansen (ruptured spleen) hurt the Buffaloes in their 43-10 loss to Oklahoma. One could also say that allowing 635 yards to the Sooners’ offense while only breaking the 50 yard line four times — only once in the first half — hurt Colorado. It’s a toss up at this point. What may not be a toss up, though, is the future of CU coach Dan Hawkins (19-38 in five seasons at Colorado). Athletic director Mike Bohn said no decision would be made about the coach until after the season, but at this point, it seems to just be a matter

ROUNDUP.p10 >>

Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, right, chases Oklahoma running back Roy Finch, left, in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday in Norman, Okla. Photo: Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press

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>>ROUNDUP.p8 of time.

Texas Longhorns (4-4, 2-3) Last Week: L 30-22 vs. Baylor This Week: @ Kansas State The Longhorns are in a free-fall, now losing three straight games at home and just a half-game above last place in the Big 12 South. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert has already lost more home games this season than Colt McCoy lost in four years, and coach Mack Brown is searching for answers. No Texas running back cracks the Big 12’s top ten rushing list, but even that could be a byproduct of an aerial offense. Alas, Gilbert is seventh in the conference in passing yards per game, and 11th in turnover margin since the start of conference play. It doesn’t look like there is a quick fix ready in Austin, even if football fans across the country are in shock at this team’s lack of success.

Baylor Bears (7-2, 4-1)

Last Week: W 30-22 @ Texas This Week: @ Oklahoma State It doesn’t appear the Bears consider themselves a fluke. Baylor knocked off the Longhorns in Austin, and now prepare for another tough test in Stillwater.

Alone at the top of the Big 12 South standings, the only other divisional opponents are in the state of Oklahoma, and they are next on the schedule. Even if the Bears don’t win their last three

games and somehow shock the world and earn a Big 12 title game berth, this season has to be considered a resounding success. Coach Art Briles has speed everywhere on offense, and the Bears lead the Big 12 in points per game and sit eighth in the country in total offense.

No, this isn’t the Twilight Zone, it’s just a decent football team in Waco.

Texas A&M Aggies (53, 2-2)

Last Week: W 45-27 vs. Texas Tech This Week: vs. Oklahoma Converted from a quarterback to a wide receiver because the Aggies have 6-foot-6 star Jerrod Johnson behind center, Ryan Tannehill had a successful college career going catching passes in the slot. Johnson had major turnover issues in recent weeks. Tannehill got the nod. After 36-of-50 passing for 449 yards and four touchdowns, it’s safe to say coach Mike Sherman will stick with Tannehill, a talented quarterback on the Aggie staff that wasn’t named Big 12 Preseason MVP. Oklahoma should be able to bully a porous Aggie defense, and while A&M is just one win from bowl eligibility, they get OU, Baylor, Nebraska, and the rival Longhorns in a gauntlet schedule to close the year.

Kansas State Wildcats (5-3, 2-3) Last Week: L 24-14 vs. Oklahoma State This Week: vs. Texas This week’s home game against Texas

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Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin celebrates his touchdown against Texas in the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday in Austin, Texas. Photo: Jerry Larson/The Associated Press

10 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, November 5, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

>>ROUNDUP.p9 could be nasty, because it’s hard to figure out which team needs the win more. The Wildcats have lost three out of four, although to be fair, all their losses came against ranked opponents.

Things get substantially easier for a team that has proven that Daniel Thomas can run the ball at the next level, with Colorado and North Texas to close the slate. A win would come in handy here, but the Wildcats will get to six wins eventually.

This is last home game of the season for K-State, so expect a desperate shootout on Saturday night in the Little Apple.

Nebraska- (7-1, 3-1 Big 12)

Last Week: 31-17 victory over Missouri This Week: @Iowa State The Nebraska offense seems to have a different player step up in every game. In Nebraska’s 31-17 victory over Missouri, Roy Helu Jr. left the Tigers with a sour taste in their mouths.

Helu ran for 307 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. His touchdowns all came on runs of 66, 73, and 55 yards and wasn’t touched by the defense on any of the runs.

He became the first player in the NCAA FBS division to run for 300 yards or more in one game this season.

The Cornhuskers took a 31-0 lead into halftime before Missouri mounted their comeback attempt. Nebraska’s victory allowed them to be in control of their own destiny on the road to Dallas, Tex. and the Big 12 championship.

Quarterback Taylor Martinez didn’t play in the second half, due to a bruise on his right leg.

He finished the half with 23 yards rushing on 12 carries and completed six of nine passes for 115 yards.

Backup quarterback Zac Lee completed one pass for 11 yards and rain twice for 11 yards in the second half for the Huskers.

This week, Nebraska travels to Ames to take on an Iowa State team coming off back to back wins over Texas and Kansas.

The Cyclones still have an outside shot at getting to the Big 12 championship. They also hold the bragging rights after a 9-7 victory in Lincoln last year.

Oklahoma State(7-1, 3-1 Big 12)

Last Week: 24-14 victory over Kansas State This Week: Vs. Baylor Without the nations leading wide receiver in Justin Blackmon, who was suspended following a DUI charge, the Cowboys received a scare from the Wildcats in Manhattan.

Kansas State was deadlocked

Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller tries to get the ball over the goal line during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech on Saturday in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M beat Texas Tech 45-27. Photo: Dave Einsel/The Associated Press with the normally high scoring Oklahoma State,7-7, at halftime.

The Cowboys were able to pull away in the second half with a key defensive touchdown.

Johnny Thomas intercepted Carson Coffman’s pass and took it back 26 yards for a touchdown with just over seven minutes left in the game to seal the victory.

Wide Receiver Bo Bowling stepped up in Blackmon’s absence, catching eight passes for 92 yards. Bowling had plenty of help as four other receivers had at leas three receptions for 30 yards or more.

Running back Kendall Hunter contributed 28 carries for 149 yards while quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 22 out of 39 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t throw any picks and also wasn’t sacked.

The Cowboys 7-1 start is the second best start through eight games in school history for an eight game start. This week, they take on Baylor in a game that will decide who takes control of the Big 12 South.

Kansas- (2-6, 0-4 Big 12)

Last Week: 28-16 loss to Iowa State.

This Week: Vs. Colorado Turner Gill opted to go with third string quarterback Quinn Mecham due to the other two quarterbacks’ injury status.

Mecham helped give the Jayhawks a 9-7 halftime lead before Iowa State took over the game in the third quarter.

Mecham had only thrown one pass as a Jayhawk prior to last week, but was able to complete 22 of 33 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Angus Quigley and James Sims did most of the backfield work for Kansas.

Angus ran 14 times for 69 yards while Sims recorded 60 yards on 19 carries. Kansas was

aslo without starting running back D.J. Beshears due to a suspension.

The loss put the Jayhawks losing streak at 4 to push their record to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12. Turner Gill and Co. have a chance to notch their first big 12 win this weekend when they host Colorado.

Colorado is 3-5 and also 0-4 in the Big 12.

Texas Tech- (4-4, 2-4 Big 12)

Last Week: 45-27 loss to Texas A&M This Week: Vs. Missouri Mistakes were costly for the Red Raiders in this loss, fumbling the ball away twice while near the goal line. They started the second half in an impressive fashion after falling behind 2414 at halftime.

Wide Receiver Detron Lewis caught a 54-yard pass on the drive, but then fumbled the ball away after he caught an 11-yard pass later in the drive.

Texas A&M recovered in the end zone.

Quarterback Taylor Potts threw for 227 yards and a touchdown and was replaced by backup Steven Sheffield in the fourth quarter. Sheffield threw for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Eric Stephens and Baron Batch split time in the backfield for the Red Raiders. Stephens recorded 47 yards on 10 carries and Batch also rushed 10 times for 30 yards.

Lewis led the way in the receiving game, grabbing 8 balls for 111 yards while Lyle Leong caught five passes for 67 yards.

Alex Torres recorded five catches for 66 yards and Stephens contributed four catches for 22 yards.

This week, the Red Raiders host Missouri, who is coming off a 2817 loss to Nebraska in Lincoln.

Tech is two games away from clinching a bowl bid.

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

Friday, November 5, 2010 | Iowa State Daily | GRIDIRON | 11

PICKS vs.

vs.

vs.

vs.

vs.

Jake Lovett, sports editor 38-25

Nebraska — A turnover here, a turnover there, and the Cyclones could be partying like it’s...well, 2009.

Oklahoma State — Wait ... isn’t this still Baylor?

Like, THE Baylor? The one that’s like 17-99 all time against the Big 12?

TCU — Horned Frogs!

Utes! This is Mountain West football on...CBS College Sports?

Arkansas — After the game, the Hogs will want to flee Columbia as quickly as Petrino got out of Atlanta.

Alabama — The Law of LSU Night Games doesn’t apply on a full moon. Oh, or when Nick Saban is on the other sideline.

Stanford — This is like the Duke-UNC of the Pac 10. Except, you know, if both were historically awful and had no significant rivalry of any kind.

Colorado — These two are to the Big 12 as Kid ‘n Play were to haircuts. Popular for awhile, but now they’re just ridiculous.

Chris Cuellar, sports writer 37-26

Nebraska — Taylor Martinez is worth 14 points. Which is about 11 more than the Huskers should need.

Baylor — I like upsets.

OSU is 113th in Pass D. Baylor is 10th in Pass O. Not an upset.

Utah — ESPN and Mountain West Football: A bond as strong as speed dating.

Arkansas — Petrino and Spurrier jumbled up spells “Dirty Program.” Not really, but you wouldn’t be surprised, right?

LSU —Law of LSU Night Games applies.

SEC West becomes total chaos.

Arizona — Stanford is a lot like Iowa. Overrated passers, history of choking. Wildcats will chalk up W’s against them both.

Colorado — If two mimes get lost in a forest, does anyone care?

Jeremiah Davis, sports columnist

Iowa State — Say what you want, but Iowa State should be just as motivated to win this one as Nebraska is.

Baylor — Robert Griffin III is making people get on the Baylor bandwagon. He’s pretty much the only reason Baylor is where it is.

TCU — This may be the best matchup of two non BCS schools in recent memory. TCU wins a close one.

South Carolina — One last hurrah for the Ol’ Ball Coach. He’s finishing his career in style.

Alabama —Which coach is least hated in this matchup? I’m going with Les Miles, if only because watching him coach is so funny.

Stanford — People forgot about this team after it lost to Oregon, but it’s still really good.

Colorado — This game will be fantastically awful. The clock is ticking on Turner Gill already.

David Merrill, sports writer 33-30

Nebraska — Well, picking against this team last week had me regretting it halfway through the first quarter. Not happening again.

Baylor — I hate picking Baylor, because for some reason I still hate the thought of them in the Big 12 title game, but Okie State has no defense.

Utah — I haven’t seen a whole lot of either of these teams and even less of TCU. I got to go on what I have seen.

South Carolina — The way I see it, Alabama is still a very good football team. South Carolina beat Alabama.

Alabama —Yeah, yeah, I know; the whole night game at LSU thing.

Well, I’m of the realm of thinking that Alabama is immune to this spell.

Stanford —Well said, Jeremiah, though I have been impressed by Arizona’s improvement, I don’t think they’re quite on Stanford’s level yet.

Colorado —Picture a really big house with 12 people in it, but two members are kept in the basement because they can’t seem to do any chores. That’s this game.

Bill Fennelly,

Iowa State — The Cyclones go back-to-back against the Huskers and send them to the Big 10.

Baylor — How can you go against such a great story? Robert Griffin III keeps the Bears hot.

Utah — The Utes looked great against ISU. They win at home in the BCS elimination game.

South Carolina — The Ole Ball Coach still with an SEC title shot and is tough at home.

Alabama — Will LSU know what time the game is played? Nick Saban goes back to LSU and keeps national title hopes alive.

Stanford — The “Luck” (Andrew) is with The Cardinal at home as they try to get back to the Rose Bowl.

Kansas — KU fans looking for basketball and CU fans can’t wait to get out of Big 12.

Take the home team.

36-27

women’s basketball coach

vs.

vs.

Editor’s note: This is week 10 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 women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly.

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12 | GRIDIRON | Iowa State Daily | Friday, November 5, 2010

Editor: Jake Lovett | sports iowastatedaily.com | 515.294.3148

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