Iowa State Cyclones
Big 12 Conference (2014 record: 2-10)
Head Coach: Paul Rhoads
Offense:
In recent years, the Iowa Cyclones have turned into a bit of a punching bad for the Big 12 Conference. After two seasons with a total of one with within the conference, one has to believe Coach Rhoads is coaching on a short leash. In 2014, the offense was lethargic. They gained a total of 372.5 YPG of total offense while only scoring 23.2 PPG. The only positives to take away from last year was the offense limited its turnovers to 16 while the entire team only committed 51 penalties for 490 yards. At least they didn 't beat themselves with mental mistakes.
As Coach Rhoads heads into the new season needing to turn this team around, he has to find a way
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Look for the Cyclones to use a conservative game plan until they can find players that know how to put the ball in the end-zone. Also, the offensive line needs to do everything possible to protect the quarterback who figures to be the team 's only offensive threat heading into the 2015 season.
Defense:
Things were just as bad for the defense in 2014. They gave up 38.8 PPG to opposing offenses while allowing almost 530 YPG. Supporting the notion the defense was pushed around all year long is the fact the defense only forced a total of 49 punts, which works out to just over 4 a game.
The goal this year should be to find ways to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last season, the defense had a total of 15 sacks, which translates directly to opposing quarterbacks having time to sit back and pick the Cyclones ' secondary apart. The defense does figure to be a little better this season with the return of three key players. The best returning defensive player figures to be SO DB Kamari Cotton-Moya who led the team in tackles as a true freshman with 77 stops. Next up would be JR LB Luke Knott who accounted for 74 tackles and 1 interception. That leaves SR DB Sam E. Richardson who led the team with 4 interceptions while contributing 58