Iowa State football: What will it take to fix the Cyclones?

The Iowa State football season is almost a total wash at this point after the disappointing loss to Kansas. Our Cyclones have finally hit the bottom of the Big 12 power rankings as a result, so I see no better time than now to describe what the staff will have to do to get the team back on track.

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1. Don’t fire Paul Rhoads

So many fans are clamoring for his removal at this point that Jamie Pollard might decide to clean house and search for a new head coach, but this would be a mistake. Nobody, absolutely nobody, wants to be at Iowa State more than Rhoads. He is always going to be the biggest cheerleader for a team that is never going to be a powerhouse. Does anyone really think that some hotshot coordinator is going to come here and suddenly change things? Does anyone still remember the Gene Chizik debacle?

2. Invest in Iowa

It’s going to be hard to convince the best players in the state to come to Iowa State, but it shouldn’t be for lack of trying. Allen Lazard has shown with his 513 receiving yards (most on the team) that the talent exists to make huge splashes. Now I’m not saying ISU doesn’t comb the state, but I think the competition for the best in-state talent has to be increased for the team to remain viable.

It is important to remember that football is a game meant to be enjoyed, not some measuring stick we use toward barely-drinking age men and their chosen academic institution.

3. Temper expectations

This is the toughest one to articulate because it is hard to temper passion in college football. I have written before about how ISU is never going to be top-tier in the country, but I’m not saying that we should accept mediocrity. What I’m saying is that everyone — fans, coaches, and administrators — need to understand how Cyclone Nation fits into the broader scheme of college football. This is somewhat an exercise in sports psychology, but I think it is a valid one to try and position everyone mentally for each season.

4. Have fun, no matter what

I know, it’s hard to have fun when you’re losing to Kansas or getting pummeled by Oklahoma. Football on the whole seems to be getting less fun to watch or discuss as time goes on, especially when your team isn’t a powerhouse. But, it is important to remember that football is a game meant to be enjoyed, not some measuring stick we use toward barely-drinking age men and their chosen academic institution.

I hope that some combination of everything mentioned here can help put things into perspective and lead Iowa State not to the land of perennial national titles and oodles of money, but the land of fun and safe football for all involved.

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