Five Storylines Heading into the Cyclones’ Season

Coming into the 2012 football season, Paul Rhoads expresses his confidence with a deep team that is loaded at running back – and he’s feeling a lot better prepared than at the beginning last season. Here’s five storylines to focus on as the season kicks off on Saturday.

1) Even with the spread look, Iowa State will look to run the ball early and often.

If you want to see a team that will pass for 500 yards and put up 35-plus points a game, then once again this Cyclones team is not for you. With both quarterbacks showing their inexperience a season ago with decision making, the gameplan will be to set up the passing attack with the running game. The stable of running backs Iowa State has is the most deepest, talented part of this team – and the trio of James White, Jeff Woody, and Shontrelle Johnson will all be juniors this season.

Expect all three to have a big role this season, and maybe even fourth-string DeVondrick Nealy will get some action.

2) One thing the Cyclones don’t lack on is depth.

Rotation, rotation, rotation. Head coach Paul Rhoads brought it up all the time in his press conference on Monday. “Six, seven, or even eight” wide receivers could see “a significant number of snaps” in any game. “10 and maybe up to 12 guys” will play up front on the defense.

It’s going to be hard to keep everyone straight, but with Rhoads believing this is his “smartest team” he’s had, that may be exactly what he wants.

3) Will Steele Jantz have enough improvement to keep his starting job?

Fans are generally split between having Jantz come in under center. Many like it for his clutch victories, but others believe that Jared Barnett will be the future. Regardless, it will be exciting to watch when the passing plays will come, how much he’s improved, and if he still has the killer instinct from his comeback victories early last season.

4) Who will emerge as the starting kicker?

According to the latest depth chart, neither junior Edwin Arceo or freshman Cole Netton has established themselves at number one. Considering the history of the position, Cyclone fans will continue to hold their breath on each kick.

5) Ricky Howard is the surprise starting tight end.

It’s the biggest shock on the offensive side of the ball with passing other senior tight end Kurt Hammerschmidt, but how significant is it? At wide receiver, three players are named starters but Rhoads stated that anyone could get a lot of playing time. Howard, Hammerschmidt, and Ernst Brun could all receive the same treatment.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential, follow the site on Twitter and Facebook. Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.