2009 Iowa State Cyclones Predictions
2008 Record: (2-10, 0-8)
Coach: Paul Rhoads, 1st year (0-0)
Off. Coordinator: Tom Herman (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Wally Burnham (1st year)
Returning Starters: 17 (9 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Austen Arnaud)

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Offense: Iowa State moves to the spread offense, which appears to be the scheme that 70% of the nation now runs. Enter Paul Rhoads, who takes over for Gene Chizik. New coordinator Tom Herman runs the offense (Rhodes is a former def. Coordinator at Pitt). He has a lot to work with as junior QB Austen Arnaud returns after throwing for 2,792 yards last season. He’ll be in the shotgun, throwing to experience dreceivers including soph. Darius Darks. At running back, junior Alexander Robinson returns after rushing for 703 yards last season. He leads a three-man rotation in the backfield. The O-line returns three starters, but they need to solidify the left tackle spot. Junior Ben Lamaak could move over from guard or they could use huge right tackle Hayworth Hicks (6-3, 354).

Defense: The Cylcones should be improved this season, only because defense is Rhodes’ expertise. They can’t get much worse as they surrendered averages of 452.8 yards per game and 35.8 points per game last year. Opponents completed 67.4 percent of their passes and threw for nearly three touchdowns per game. They have to fill the holes on the line and at linebacker. Senior DE Christopher Lyle (6-4, 252) is the top returner on the line with five sacks. At linebacker, Jesse Smith and Fred Garrin are the team’s second- and third-leading tacklers from last year. The secondary will probably be the strength led by senior James Smith, who recorded 85 tackles last year. Like every other unit, they still need to get better.

Outlook: While Rhoads has some tools this year and a weak early schedule, this still should be a rebuilding year, especially on the defensive side. Facing Kent State, Army and North Dakota State early on can’t hurt the overall record.

This Big 12 conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com