In his initial season of College Football Picks at Iowa State, coach Paul Rhodes led the Cyclones to a bowl for the first time since 2005. Repeating that feat won’t be easy, Iowa State will be better in 2010, but the schedule will be tougher, too. In 2009, the Cyclones didn’t have to face either Texas or Oklahoma in the big 12 conference games, this year they will face both on the road. The Cyclones also have non-conference dates with Utah and a highly rated Iowa football team. Underestimating cyclones could be a dangerous thing, just ask Nebraska, the state of Iowa won Nebraska in 2009.

In 2009, the Iowa State Cyclones offense ranked 73rd in college football in total yards, averaging 364.7 per game, the passing game was not as efficient, the Cyclones threw less than 185 yards per game, ranking 94th in the FBS, Iowa State. The rushing attack was pretty good, averaging 179.8 yards per game, ranked 36th in the nation, and the unit scored just over 20 points per game.

The 2009 Iowa State defense gave up over 415 total yards per game, ranking 99th in the country, passing defense ranked 103rd overall, allowing over 250 yards per game and ranking 103rd in the FBS , the quick defense was not a bad thing, Iowa State gave up more than 165.7, and it was 86th in the nation, the unit also allowed 21.8 points per game.

Senior Austin Arnaud returns as the starting quarterback, it almost seems to this sports handicapper that Arnaud has been around for a decade. The job is his to lose, he had stiff competition in the spring from Jerome Tiller, who threw for 200 yards in the spring football game. Arnuad needs to become more of a matchup threat this season if the offense is too successful. Running back Alexander Robinson is back after finishing second in the Big 12 running back last year. Robinson is only 5’9, but he’s a solid 186 pounds and very slippery and elusive. The Cyclones also return two of the top three body receivers from 2009 in Darius Starks and Jake Williams. Offensive line returns 4 starters, unit yielded just 16 sacks. The star of the lineup is Kelechi Osemele, a second-team all-conference team. The offense has talent, but Arnaud needs to be more consistent and the receivers need to catch the ball better, if these things come together, the team can improve their average of 20 points per game.

As experienced as they are on offense, the Cyclones are just as green on defense. Goner is the three starting linebackers from a year ago, including leading Big 12 tackler Jesse Smith. Jake Knott and AJ Klein are expected to start on the outside, while a junior college transfer will take over at middle linebacker. The unit also lacks experience in the trenches, with Bailey Johnson starting eight games at nose tackle and Patrick Neal making nine starts at the final position. The secondary is solid with Leonard Johnson and Ter’Ran Benton in the corners and Strong Safety David Sims.