Iowa State Cyclones 2007 Preview Capsule

 NOTE -- ISU Preview was moved up due to the early start for the Clones tonight 

Coach: Gene Chizik (0-0) First Year
Last Year: 4-8, 1-7 Big 12, Sixth in the North 
Returning Starters : Offense 5, Line 1 | Defense 5, Line 1

Three Things You Should Know
1) The senior combo of Brett Meyer (6-3, 204, #7) and Todd Blythe (6-5, 209, #1) are back for 2007. Blythe caught 8 TD passes last year, but missed three games due to illness. Meyer threw 12 interceptions against 12 TD passes last year. A return to form for both players would boost the Clones, but still it's pretty easy to focus on that one dimension.
2) Senior linebacker Alvin Bowen (6-2, 216, #15) led the Big 12 in tackles with 155, but the Clones defense only has five returning starters. This will be quite a project for Chizik.
3) Brett Meyer is the leading returning rusher for ISU after gaining 439 yards last year.

Trends
ISU has won eight straight home openers at Jack Trice Stadium ... ISU has lost three of the last four versus Kansas ... The Clones have lost four straight Big 12 openers.

How KU Wins
Senior day in Lawrence and a chance for three straight against the Clones. It'll take an inspired effort by Iowa State to steal one this year.  You might think the Hawks will be looking ahead to the Border War at Arrowhead, but I doubt it.

2007 Iowa State Schedule
Thu, Aug 30 Kent State
Sat, Sep 8 Northern Iowa
Sat, Sep 15 Iowa
Sat, Sep 22 at Toledo
Sat, Sep 29 at (20) Nebraska
Sat, Oct 6 at Texas Tech
Sat, Oct 13 (4) Texas
Sat, Oct 20 (8) Oklahoma
Sat, Oct 27 at Missouri
Sat, Nov 3 Kansas State
Sat, Nov 10 Colorado
Sat, Nov 17 at Kansas