By Kevin Flaherty
LonghornDigest.com
Oct. 22, 2010
If any opposing coaches in the Big 12 know how hard it is to win and win consistently at Iowa State, it's Mack Brown.
Brown started at Iowa State as a wide receiver coach in 1979, then moved to offensive coordinator for 1980 and 1981. Back then, the Cyclones played in the Big Eight, but he said the story, and the challenges, were the same.
A lack of in-state talent, split between two BCS conference schools, means that the Cyclones have to get creative in recruiting, especially for skill positions. Brown noted the case of Chris Washington, a high school nose guard that Brown unearthed after seeing Washington dunking in a gym. Washington was a four-year starter at linebacker in Ames.
This year's Iowa State squad is largely a collection of Iowans, Texans and Floridians, with a former high school quarterback (Ben Lamaak) snapping the ball to the Cyclones' current quarterback in Ames native Austen Arnaud.
The Cyclones are impressive in certain spots. Sophomore linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott are active against both the run (nearly 150 tackles between them) and the pass (they've combined for six interceptions). And the Iowa State offensive line is as big as you'll see in the Big 12, averaging 316 pounds per player and boasting four starters of 305-plus pounds. In addition, the Cyclones have three running backs averaging at least 4.3 yards per carry, led by Alexander Robinson, an all-conference level talent.
Offensively, the Cyclones try to spread teams out with short passes while slamming them up the middle with the running game, often using 230-pound quarterback Austen Arnaud as a fullback-type runner. Defensively, Iowa State is aggressive, jumping around, stunting and slanting players to try and make an impact.
It will be interesting to see how the Longhorns handle the big Cyclone offensive line. Brown said this week that defensive tackle Alex Okafor represented a big part of the difference between the UCLA performance against the running game and the Nebraska game. But Okafor weighs between 265 and 270 pounds, and he'll go up against an interior line that goes 305, 320 and 330. Okafor's strength is in his quickness and his low pad level. He'll have to play with both to negate the 50-60 pound disadvantage he'll face in certain situations.
But while that's one spot that could go Iowa State's way, most of the others appear to favor Texas. The Longhorns are fresh off a great rushing performance against a very good Nebraska defense, while Iowa State allows 5.1 yards per carry. In the passing game, Texas's receivers should be able to generate separation against the Iowa State defensive backs. And that big offensive line has allowed 16 sacks in seven games for a Cyclone squad that struggles to throw the ball. Texas has 17 sacks in six games and is one of the league's best pass defenses.
Brown is quick to warn against overconfidence. After all, this is an Iowa State team that beat Texas Tech 52-38. But at the same time, after watching Iowa State give up 68 and 52 points in back-to-back weeks, it isn't hard to imagine that this one could get out of hand.
