Iowa State football: Five reasons Cyclones will rebound this season

Nov 30, 2013; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Aaron Wimberly (2) runs with the ball during the second half of the game against West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. The Iowa State Cyclones defeated West Virginia Mountaineers 52-44 in the third overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2. The running game shouldn’t be a major disappointment

I can’t remember how many times I typed up “deep stable of running backs” last year, and ultimately the trio of Shontrelle Johnson, James White, and Jeff Woody was not great. Johnson stepped up toward the end of the season, but Woody never lived up to that big shining moment he had in 2012 against Oklahoma State.

Hell, it was Aaron Wimberly, a JUCO transfer, that finally kickstarted the running game against Tulsa. After 100+ yard performances against them and Texas, Wimberly faded a bit and was injured in the middle of the season. He never really returned to full form. Similar to Richardson, his durability has a question mark, but perhaps he’ll be much more prepared with a year of Big 12 play behind him.