Iowa State Cyclones 2011 Team Preview

2010 Season Breakdown

Final record (overall, conference): 5-7, 3-5
Bowl game: None
Final ranking (AP, Coaches’): NR, NR
Conference finish: T-3^rd Big 12 North
Offensive rank: 99^th
Defensive rank: 87^th

2010 Individual Statistics Leaders

Rushing: Alexander Robinson, 946 yards, 9 TD
Passing: Austin Arnaud, 1,703 yards, 13 TD, 10 INT
Receiving: Collin Franklin, 530 yards, 3 TD
Tackles: Jake Knott, 130 tackles
Sacks: Jacob Lattimer, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Jake Knott, 4 INT

2011 Schedule (all games Saturday unless noted)
*denotes conference game

September 3 vs. Northern Iowa [7:00 PM ET]
September 10 vs. Iowa [12:00 PM ET]
September 16 (Fri) @ Connecticut [8:00 PM ET]
October 1 vs. Texas*
October 8 @ Baylor*
October 15 @ Missouri*
October 22 vs. Texas A&M*
October 29 @ Texas Tech*
November 5 vs. Kansas*
November 18 (Fri) vs. Oklahoma State* [9:00 PM ET, ESPN2]
November 26 @ Oklahoma* [8:00 PM ET]
December 3 @ Kansas State* [12:30 PM ET]

Key Matchups

September 16 @ Connecticut: This should be a great opportunity to grab one on a Friday night in primetime. UConn could see a bit of a drop off after losing some key contributors from the 2010 Big East Championship team, which could allow Iowa State to potentially earn a much-needed win before they set out on the conference schedule. Iowa State, of course, loses some key pieces, too.

October 8 @ Baylor: Iowa State has a tough road to a bowl berth this season with several conference games scheduled against potential preseason top 25 teams, not to mention the week 2 meeting with Iowa. Baylor is a team looking to make a move this year, but if Iowa State hopes to return to the bowl season they’re going to have to steal a few games here and there.

Key Departed Players

Austen Arnaud, QB; Alexander Robinson, RB; Collin Franklin, TE; David Sims, S

Key Returning Players

Darius Reynolds, WR; Kelechi Osemele, OT; Jake Lattimer, DE; Jake Knott, LB; A.J. Klein, LB; Leonard Johnson, CB; Ter’Ran Benton, S

Offensive Overview

The offense needs to figure out a way to make an impact in a conference known for explosive offenses. At the most important position on the field, the quarterback, the situation is cluttered. Jerome Tiller, Steele Jantz, and Jared Barnett are competing for the job with nobody having staked claim to the starting gig. James Capello was in the mix, too, but has since transferred to Tiffin University. Tiller has seen a little game action over the past couple years, while many believe Jantz will eventually pull away. As for who will be catching passes thrown by whoever ends up starting under center, Aaron Horne has generate quite a bit of buzz in the spring, while Darius Reynolds is expected to play a bigger role in the passing game this year. Reynolds caught five passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the annual spring game and the Cyclones need to find a playmaker somewhere.

Taking over for Alexander Robinson as the featured running back will likely be Shontrelle Johnson, who saw time last year, finishing with 218 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Kelechi Osemele leads an offensive line that allowed 2.8 sacks per game a year ago and will look to improve in its pass protection. When you have a mobile quarterback like Austen Arnauld—or Tiller or Jantz this year—you’re going to allow some sacks, but improvement is nevertheless needed if the offense hopes to compete with other Big 12 offenses.

Defensive Overview

The key for the defense this year will be putting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and penetrating into the backfield. They finished 115^th in sacks and 106^th in tackles for loss last year and it’ll be up to end Jacob Lattimer to lead the defensive front after he came up with a team-leading four sacks a year ago. Jake McDonough and Stephen Ruempolhamer will form a good duo on the interior. Linebacker Jake Knott is a tackling machine, racking up 130 tackles last year and also picking up four interceptions. A.J. Klein returns as well after a 100+ tackle season of his own. They’ll be joined by JUCO transfer Matt Tau’fo’ou, who’s talented enough to hang with Knott and Klein at the second level. David Sims was a big part of the defense a year ago and finding a replacement at safety won’t be easy. Ter’Ran Benton will move to strong safety, while Leonard Johnson and Jeremy Reeves return to corner. Jacques Washington will come in at free safety and is expected to make an impact.

Beat Writer’s Take

I’ve asked writers and alumni from around the country to give their take on the local team heading into the 2011 season. Providing his take on the Cyclones is Bobby LaGesse of the Ames Tribune.

“Like most teams around the nation, Iowa State’s quarterback play will likely decide how well the Cyclones do. The coaching staff believes the other pieces are in place for a successful offense, but if the quarterback can’t get potential playmakers the ball the rest of it doesn’t matter.

“The Cyclones defense, which returns seven starters, should be improved in 2011. It will have to be as Iowa State faces one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Solid quarterback play would go a long way to the Cyclones navigating their schedule and having a chance at a second bowl game in three seasons.”

Top Draft Products

Kelechi Osemele, G/OT;

Season Prediction

9^th Big 12

The Cyclones will be hoping for a return to the bowl season, but it’s far from an easy road. Iowa State may be clear favorites in just two games this year (vs. Northern Iowa and vs. Kansas), but if things start to come together they should be good enough to come up with enough wins to push for a bowl appearance. Yet, I don’t see Iowa State playing the extra game this year. Getting all six former Big 12 South members is a tough proposition and there’s also Iowa on the roster with whom they’ll have to contend. The keys to a successful season will be the offense finding its feet and producing at a higher level, and the defense figuring out a way to get pressure on the quarterback, which would in turn provide a boost to the other levels of the defense.

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