Iowa State faces challanging schedule in 2010 in the Big 12 and Out of Conference

It will be a challenging schedule for the 2010 edition of Iowa State Cyclones' football. For 12 straight weeks, the Cyclones will face eight bowl teams, three other Big 12 opponents and an in-state match up with FCS power Northern Iowa. The Cy-Hawk game will be in Iowa City this fall. ISU has been held without a scoring a TD for 14 straight quarters vs. Hawkeyes. Three new Big 12 South opponents will come onto the schedule, with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

The Cyclones welcomed new coach Paul Rhoads last year to Ames. The Cyclones finished 7-6, with a solid 14-13 win over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl in Arizona. But, year two will be a challenge, with 8 offensive, four defensive starters returning and their talented punter departed.

ISU hoping to follow Austen Arnaud's lead ‎- The Associated Press

Arnaud struggled with Iowa State's new spread offense, ... studied and watched how they've been some of the best passers college football has ever seen ...

Cyclones on the rise? ISU faces tougher schedule in 2010 ‎ - KUsports

The Cyclones return its top two QBs in senior Austen Arnaud and sophomore Jerome Tiller, senior RB Alexander Robinson (#33), the #2 and #3 WRs in senior Jake Williams and junior Darius Darks and four starters in the offensive line. Junior PK Gran Mahoney is back for another season, as well, for the Cyclones offense.

The retooling is on the defensive side of the ball for coach Rhoads and his coaching staff. All three linebacker positions will be have new faces, as well many in the defensive line. The defensive line and secondary will return half of the starters. A redshirt freshman punter is projected to replace talented punter Mike Brandtner. The top return specialists are back for the Cyclones for '10.

Here's the Cyclones 2010 schedule:

• Thu, Sept 2 vs. Northern Illinois 7 PM Central Time


• Sat, Sept 11 @ Iowa 2:30 PM Central Time


• Sat, Sept 18 vs. Kansas State* 11:00 AM Central Time from Kansas City


• Sat, Sept 25 vs. Northern Iowa 6:00 PM Central Time


• Sat, Oct 2 vs. Texas Tech


• Sat, Oct 9 vs. Utah


• Sat, Oct 16 @ Oklahoma


• Sat, Oct 23 @ Texas


• Sat, Oct 30 vs. Kansas


• Sat, Nov 6 vs. Nebraska


• Sat, Nov 13 @ Colorado


• Sat, Nov 20 vs. Missouri

This will be the final season for Nebraska and Colorado in the Big 12. The loss of both programs will be felt by the Cyclones, especially the home and home with Nebraska, the closest conference program to Ames.

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