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Ames, IA -- The Paul Rhoads era will be ending at Iowa State (3-8, 2-6 Big 12) at the end of the 2015 College Football season, after the Cyclones blew a 35-14 lead at Kansas State on Saturday, losing 38-35. Like Bo Pelini's seven seasons last season at Nebraska, the Cyclones will let go of Rhoads, after seven seasons.

Will it work well for the Cyclones to start over?

The Cyclones chose to relieve Dan McCarney in 2005, after a 4-8 season. The two season experiment with Gene Chizik ending with 3-9 and 2-10 season. So, is this change for the sake of change for athletic director Jamie Pollard?

Pollard announced on Sunday there will be a change in the head football coaching position at ISU at the conclusion of this season. Pollard informed Coach Paul Rhoads of his decision Sunday morning.

Rhoads will coach the Cyclones in their season finale at West Virginia (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) on Saturday. The game will kickoff at 11 a.m. CST on FS1.

Rhoads is ending his seventh season on the Iowa State sidelines. He is 32-54 overall and 3-8 this year. Rhoads took Iowa State to three bowl games in seven years.

Pollard will be available to the news media on Monday at noon in the Hunziker Auditorium. Rhoads is meeting the media at his previously scheduled media session on Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the Bergstrom Football Complex.

Could AD Pollard consider Bo Pelini as his replacement for Rhoads?

Former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has spent the 2015 season leading FCS
Youngstown State to a 5-6 season, after seven season leading the Huskers to
at least nine games per season, but a consistent four losses each year.

Big 12 Conference fines Iowa State AD after comments following ISU-Oklahoma State football game on Saturday

In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued a public reprimand of Iowa State University Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard for his comments following Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State. In addition, the Conference assessed a $25,000 fine for Pollard’s post-game remarks and put him on notice that any similar behavior will result in a more serious penalty.

“Mr. Pollard’s public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the Conference’s officiating program,” stated Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “To insinuate that games are called unfairly to negatively impact a program is irresponsible and completely baseless.  Accordingly, the seriousness of this violation warrants a public reprimand and a financial penalty. We take pride in our officiating programs and will continue to strive for the highest possible standards and the fairest competition."

The above was the official release from the Big 12 Conference on Monday. Oklahoma defeated Iowa State in Stillwater 37-20, as the Cyclones fall to 0-3 in the Big 12 standings.

In the public statements, Mr. Pollard suggested that ISU's negative vote prior to the 2013 season on Big 12 adding an eighth official may have lead to unfair officiating, which is pretty out there as a conspiracy.

Mr. Pollard claims he's sorry for implying that Iowa State's vote against adding an eighth official in 2013, while the other nine programs all voted in favor of the measure was used against ISU. Mr. Pollard suggested that while he felt a need to defend Iowa State after an overturned review gave the Cowboys a crucial touchdown, he also realizes that he broke the Big 12 Conference's guidelines on sportsmanship.

Clearly, the Big 12 officials missed a blatant holding penalty against Oklahoma State's defense in the Cyclones second offensive series of the game, when TE E.J. Bibbs was held going out on a pass. It upset ISU coach Paul Rhoads throughout the next TV break.

Officiating is a human element of the game. Mistakes get made and yes, they can cost teams, such as Stanford at Notre Dame and Iowa State hosting Texas, in recent seasons.

The Big Ten Conference followed suit ahead of the 2014 season, with the addition of a eighth official. It is interesting Mr. Pollard would suggest such a conspiracy against the Big 12 Conference.

Oktobersfest has arrived in Grand Fashion in College Football

How about Katy Perry and her first Saturday enjoying College Football with the ESPN GameDay show?

Welcome to College Football, as the first time was clearly of historic proportions, as Week 6 rattled the College Football world in the Top 10, with five of ten falling and visions of the Fall of 1967 being revisited in the Big Ten.

October has arrived with a heavy wind and a chill in the air for many across the college landscape, as teams fall and others rise to victory. By the way, Thursday night saw the Green Bay Packers roar in the NFL Central Division for the second straight week.

Oregon fell on Thursday night in Eugene to kick off Oktobersfest in College Football, during Week 6. Arizona is now 5-0 to open 2014, under coach Rich Rodriguez, who was ironically runned out of Ann Arbor, after 2010. The Wildcats have been thorns for the Ducks now in back to back seasons.

Ole Miss won their first ever over a #1 team, it was mentioned on Saturday, with a win over Alabama. Though, with defending champion holding on undefeated in 2014, should Bama even have been considered #1 over Florida State, this early in 2014?

Yes, I am being a little Rebel today.

Florida State should be #1 this season, though Auburn may give FSU a better game this year, if they meet now? The Tigers rolled over LSU on the first Saturday, this October. They have to host undefeated Mississippi State, who took out once undefeated Texas A&M on the first Saturday of October, as well.

The Seminoles have found a way to survive each week, despite September near stumbles with Clemson and at North Carolina State in the ACC. No worry hosting Wake Forest on the first Saturday in October.

Oklahoma found the Big 12 road at TCU to steep of hurdle, despite the bye week between Big 12 road trips, as the Sooners fall, as September has ended and October arrives.

Utah likes road venues in 2014. They went into Ann Arbor and earned a W in September, then opened October by garnering another road W, from the Boys from Westwood, as UCLA is the final Top 5 to fall on Saturday or is that Sunday for the most of us?

In the Big Ten, Michigan (2-4) starts 0-2 in the B1G for the first time, since 1967.

The B1G East is giving more pause for the Wolverines than the Legends did, over the first three seasons under Brady Hoke. Michigan did show a pulse finally at quarterback, with Devin Gardner playing, but Rutgers (5-1, 1-1 B1G East) was still to much for the Wolverines handle on the road.

Penn State (4-1, 1-1 B1G East) was idle for the first time in 2014, since September ended. The Nittany Lions head to Ann Arbor looking to feast on the Wolverines and rebound from their recent ugly B1G home loss, the worse,  since 2001.

Northwestern (3-2) leads the B1G West at 2-0, after holding Wisconsin to under 20 points, and pulling off their first FBS win of the season in Evanston. The Wildcats beat the Nittany Lions the week before on the road.

Northwestern heads to Minnesota this Saturday for a first place showdown in the B1G West, with the Golden Gophers, who took care of business last year, in this series.

Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1 B1G West) continued their road woes in B1G openers, in year 2 under coach Gary Anderson, with Saturday's lost at Northwestern. The Badgers have not won yet outside Madison in 2014.

In 1967, it was the last time Indiana and Minnesota both won a share of the conference title. Both programs hold the longest drought in the B1G, not including the three newest teams, who have yet to win one.

How are the Golden Gophers (4-1) enjoying their first bye week, now at 1-0 in the B1G West?

Not sure Indiana (3-2, 0-1 B1G East) can roll back into the B1G with as much excitement, as the Golden Gophers, but Hoosiers defeated North Texas to close out non-conference play in 2014.

Next up: at Iowa for the Hoosiers.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0 B1G West) enjoyed a bye week to open October. The Hawkeyes needed a bye week to get healthy and allow the coaching staff to focus on some of the younger players in practice and some recruiting on Saturday. The game with Indiana will also be Homecoming in Iowa City for the Hawkeyes

Oktobersfest activities could be found down down the road from Iowa City in the Amana Colonies this weekend, as you could see the Nebraska, Purdue and Packers colors out and about enjoying the sounds, smells and drink.

Nebraska (5-1, 1-1 B1G West) fell for the first time in 2014 and are the final B1G to leave the list of unbeaten teams. Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 B1G East) opened B1G play by holding on in East Lansing over the Cornhuskers, after a solid 17-0 lead at halftime, but a 27-22 win.

Purdue (3-3, 1-1 B1G West) gave second-year coach Darrell Hazell his first B1G win with a road win at Illinois (3-3, 0-2 B1G West) on Saturday. The Fighting Illini only B1G win in three seasons now under Tim Beckman came last year at Purdue.  Both programs face huge hurdles next week, as Purdue hosts MSU and Illinois travels to Madison.

Ohio State (4-1, 1-0 B1G East) appears to be getting their sea legs back, after Week 2 loss in Columbus. The Buckeyes took care of business in the B1G opener on the road, with a sound win at Maryland (4-2, 1-1 B1G East).

Maryland, Ohio State and Rutgers will be idle this Saturday in the B1G East, as the Terrapins ready for Homecoming, hosting Iowa. Rutgers and Ohio State will face off in Columbus, after the bye week. Nebraska will get a B1G bye ahead of another B1G road game at Northwestern, in Week 8.

Elsewhere in the State of Iowa, Northern Iowa falls to Indiana State to open Missouri Valley Football Conference action. While Iowa State (1-4) falls to 0-3 in Big 12 at Oklahoma State, with a 37-20 road loss.

But, ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard has had enough with the Big 12 officials and went off with the media ahead of head coach Paul Rhoads postgame press conference. Fitting it was in Stillwater, after Oklahoma State's coach Mike Gundy's rant several seasons ago.

“It’s no longer fair to put our student athletes, our coaching staff and our fans in that position,” Pollard said. “I don’t know how things change, but it’s frustrating and it’s not fair.''

Former Iowa and Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby is the Big 12 Conference commissioner and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the Iowa State AD's rant?

Iowa State has never won a Big 8 or Big 12 football title. Will this loss or call by an official cost a head coach, an athletic director or the college's president their job? Mr. Pollard mentioned the stakes bad official calls can lead to and he doesn't want any part of it at Iowa State.

The Cyclones head back to Ames for Homecoming against the MAC's Toledo. The Cyclones face a tough six remaining Big 12 games, after their final non-conference game in 2014. ISU was 3-9 last year overall, 2-7 in the Big 12. ISU won the Cy-Hawk Trophy Game in September for their lone win thus far in 2014.

Iowa State University: "Wanted New coach, respect"

Headline for Thursday, December 19, 2008 edition of The Gazette titled Wanted: New coach, respect, regarding the vacant head football coach position at Iowa State.

I, for one, believe Iowa State is better off with the ill-fit, Gene Chizik. Coach Chizik is a fine, young coach, but he was a fish out of water outside the Southeast section of the country. I'll be shocked, if he ever takes a job north of the Mason-Dixon line again.

I would have enjoyed seeing Turner Gill as ISU's next head coach. I have always enjoyed his work as a player and an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The work he is doing at the University of Buffalo will likely earn Mr. Gill an opportunity somewhere else down the road. Hopefully, like the University of Buffalo, it will be the right fit for Mr. Gill.

On The Gazette question: "Is Iowa State's football program damaged goods in the wake of this mess?" Nope, one should consider it's been a long time, since Iowa State won any type of share of a conference title in football. As for last title, the Cyclones won a share of the 1912 Missouri Valley Conference title. Ironically, the MVC Football Conference returned this fall, after being silent for many years. Coach Chizik was 5-19 overall in two years at Iowa State (2-14 in the Big 12).

"I don't think Iowa State's reputation is hurt at all," said Charles Davis, Fox
television analyst who'll help call the BCS national championship game. "It
looks like they did everything the right way. If anything, Gene Chizik has to
answer questions about what really happened. I know him, I respect him, but the
court of public opinion is definitely not on Gene's side."

I have always enjoyed Charles Davis and I agree with him in The Gazette article.

Further I agree with the veteran Big 12/8 writer out of Omaha...

"Being in the North Division, which is in a much greater state of flux, you may
not be as far away as people on the outside think," said the Omaha
World-Herald's Lee Barfknecht, who has covered the conference since the days of
the Big Eight. "There's no reason somebody can't go in there and win some
football games. You aren't going to contend for national championship, but it's
not a black hole."

Dan McCarney was a better fit for Iowa State, than Coach Chizik would have been. Hindsight is 20/20. ISU AD Jamie Pollard wants to put his stamp on the Cyclone football program, as was shown when he hired Chizik. His first attempt lasted only two years, but like others that have been in the business before him (i.e.: Bump Elliott), sometimes your first coach doesn't work out.

It will be interesting to see who AD Pollard hires this time around? Someone with ties to the State of Iowa or the ISU program in some way may be a good trait to try to work into the new hire. Coach McCarney certainly brought that trait to Ames. It didn't work out for a conference title, but it did move the program in the right direction and the Cyclones came close in the North.

Good luck to State in finding their next football coach. The Cy-Hawk football series has certainly improved... it will be important for ISU to find a quality head coach for their program. Some of Pollard's decisions in other sports have left some ISU alums disappointed.

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peace

Gene Chizik to Auburn; Good news for the Cyclone football program

Gene Chizik appears to be a good, young head football coach. In two years at Iowa State University, he finished 5-19 overall record (2-14 Big 12).

Of course, Mr. Chizik was 3-9 overall in year one (2-6 Big 12) for the Cyclones. This year, with a several weaknesses and lack of experience in various areas, the Cyclones compiled a 2-10 overall record (0-8 Big 12). While many in the Cyclone fan base were looking for signs of improvement in '08; talent was lacking, especially on defense. Of course, Chizik's background in on the defensive side of the ball.

Scanning his coaching staff, he looked like he was in the Sun Belt conference, not in Ames, Iowa, coaching a Big 12 team. From my vantage point, it appeared that Gene Chizik isn't the right fit for a program north of the Mason-Dixon Line. His heart is clearly in the South. As ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard pointed out.

"Auburn's interest in Gene speaks to his (Chizik's) reputation,"
Pollard said. "We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an
outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your
organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their
services."

Stepping up to Auburn, in the SEC, does appear to be a tall order for a guy who has finished 5-19 in two years of head coaching at Iowa State. As a defensive coordinator, Chizik helped build undefeated programs at Texas (2005) and at Auburn (2004).

A dream job came true for Gene Chizik this weekend. But, for Iowa State, they get rid of a poor fit. Hindsight is always 20/20. For the ISU Cyclones, like Bump Elliott, during the 1970s at the University of Iowa; AD Pollard will have an opportunity to make the right choice this time.

It will be interesting to see, if AD Pollard jumps out of the box? After serving as an assistant at the University of Wisconsin as an athletic administrator, Jamie Pollard became athletic director at Iowa State. Of the four head football coaches that Pollard's experience would likely draw from, all are from the defensive side of the football, being DC before being hired as head coaches.

Barry Alvarez (his former boss at UW)

Bret Bielema (current HC at UW)

Dan McCarney (who Pollard let go at ISU)

Gene Chizik (DC at Texas when hired)

Will Jamie Pollard consider an offensive minded coach to replace Gene Chizik? After the accomplishments of Dan McCarney at ISU, the difference may be found in an offensive prospective. Look at the success of Dr. Tom Osborne or Hayden Fry. Both offensive minded, even, Bill Snyder at Kansas State was a former OC.

Further, ties to the State of Iowa or old Big Eight schools may wise to apply for the job. Look for someone who clearly will be a better fit north of the Mason-Dixon Line Mr. Pollard!

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peace

Cyclones Football '08: Another Just Circle One Game Year for ISU?

It's not likely coming from 2nd year coach Gene Chizik. As a defensive coordinator, Chizik helped lead Auburn (2004) and Texas (2005) to championship level football. But, that was prior to accepting the ISU head coaching position, after the '06 season.

The average ISU graduate you talk to or by listening to marketing guru AD Jamie Pollard, just circle The One Game (September 13th) is alive and well in Ames. For ISU fans in '08, it's clearly back to a one game season, again.

What else does Iowa State University have to play for in football? There last conference title in football was in 1912, when ISU and Nebraska won co-championships in back to back years (1911 and 1912) in the old Missouri Valley Conference. They play in the Big 12 rich ($$$) conference lead by Texas and Oklahoma.

In the Big 12, you have plenty of outstanding rivalry games. But, for Iowa State, as one ISU graduate commented last night at a friend's 50th birthday party,

"we beat Nebraska once every 15 years."

But, it's all about The One Game. As AD Pollard pointed out in Cedar Rapids at a recent Rotary Club meeting, ISU has won 7 out of the last 10 games vs. ISU's one and only rival. Do they make it eight out of 11 in '08?

Last year, Iowa State was 3-9 (2-6 in the Big 12) in Chizik's first year. For 2008 and for the one big game, ISU returns 15 starters. But, there are keys losses, such as QB Bret Meyer, WR Todd Blythe, DT Ahtybe Rubin, LB Alvin Bowen, LB Jon Banks, and PK Bret Culbertson. As one media outlet mentioned coming out of ISU's Media Day,

"competition keen in Cyclone camp... does Iowa State have any stone-cold,
lead-pipe locks this year? At any position?"

The Cyclones will have two tune up games in Ames ahead of The One Game, this season. Another Thursday opener for ISU to open the season. ISU will open August 28th at home vs. South Dakota State, a FCS program. On September 6th, the Cyclones will host Kent State at Jack Trice Stadium for a little payback? ISU lost 14-23 to Kent State to open the '07 season.

Iowa State has lost two straight on the road in it's lone rivalry game: The One Game. The last win on the road came in 2002, in a fantastic 36-31 win in the series, after ISU overcame a 17 point halftime deficit. No big surprise, since the Cyclones had won 4 straight in the series. The 2002 season win was the third straight on the road in The One Game; and first and only five game win streak in the series.

The final OOC game will be on the road on September 20th, at UNLV, the Cyclones will close the month of September with a bye week on September 27th. The Cyclones will play another eight game schedule in the Big 12 to close the 2008 regular season. The Cyclones drop the three preseason Top 25 Big 12 South opponents (OU, Texas and Texas Tech) for the three unranked Big 12 South opponents (at Baylor, Texas A&M, at Oklahoma State). Big 12 North Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri will all visit Jack Trice Stadium, while ISU travels to Colorado and Kansas State, after ISU beat both opponents in back to back Big 12 home games in '07.

A winning season will be determined on September 13th in the State of Iowa for most in the Cyclone fanbase. For Coach Chizik and those interested in seeing ISU get back to competing for a Big 12 North division title: four wins or more would be a big next step for the program. ISU nearly changed the mindset under former coach Dan McCarney in '04 and '05, but failed. McCarney's best overall season was in 2000, but the best two finishes for ISU in the Big 12 were in '04 and '05.

Of course, to the average Cyclone grad or fan, one game is circled, again, and it is hard to see that changing this season in Ames. What this program needs most is moving The One Game to the end of the season for it's fan base and the State of Iowa, in general.

peace