By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

2010: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in Big 12.
Bowl: None.
Starters returning: 4 offense, 7 defense.

Overview
The Cyclones faced one of the nation's toughest schedule last season and came within a few plays of qualifying for a bowl game. Nonetheless, Iowa State still had a signature victory with a stunning victory at Texas that sent the Longhorns into a second-half tailspin.

Coach Paul Rhoads continues to get the most out of his team. This season, though, could be as challenging as his first two seasons in Ames. The Cyclones must replace quarterback Austen Arnaud and running back Alexander Robinson who were veteran producers on offense. The defense should again be feisty but developing depth on both sides of the ball is an ongoing mission.



Who's missing
In addition to quarterback Austen Arnaud and running back Alexander Robinson, Iowa State must replace both safeties. David Sims, in particular, will be difficult to replace. He was a two-year starter who specialized in making big plays in the secondary.

Who's back
Three starters on the offensive line return as does starting wide receiver Darius Darks. The defense under Rhoads has relied on outstanding linebacker play; two starters (A.J. Klein and Jake Knott) return. Cornerbacks Ter'Ran Benton, Leonard Johnson and Jeremy Reeves also are back. Kicker Grant Mahoney is solid while sophomore Kirby Van Der Kamp had an outstanding freshman season and could emerge as one of the Big 12's top punters in 2011.

Spring news
Linebacker Jake Knott suffered a broken arm making a tackle in practice a few days before the spring game. He's expected to be back in time for preseason practice. The day he had surgery, Knott showed up on the sidelines as the Cyclones worked out. Coach Paul Rhoads asked why he was there. Knott's answer: "We have practice, don't we?"

Steele Jantz - is that a football name, or what? - battled with junior Jerome Tiller for the quarterback job. Tiller has experience as a starter in Iowa State's system. Jantz, a junior-college transfer, enrolled in January. Last year at City College of San Francisco, he had 3,057 yards passing and rushed for 601 yards. James Capello and Jared Barnett are also in the mix to become the Cyclones' starting QB.

Ter'ran Benton spent most of his time at cornerback for the Cyclones last season. But with the team needing to replace both its starting safeties, Benton spent the spring learning to play strong safety. "Our safeties aren't just big slogging kind of guys," Iowa State secondary coach Bobby Elliott said. "They have to be able to play man-to-man principles anyway, even in our zone coverages."

Iowa State's receiving corps needs its two Dariuses to step up this season. Seniors Darius Darks and Darius Reynolds have battled injuries, particularly last season. "It's going to be a big key for us offensively having both Darius Reynolds and Darius Darks stay healthy," Iowa State wide receiver coach Courtney Messingham said. "I need them mentally to stay tuned to the game and be great leaders. The more they're on the field, the more they're making plays and the easier it is for them to be that leader."

Coach Paul Rhoads says
"It's a four-man race (at quarterback). And that's OK. Of those four guys, nobody has eliminated themselves, and nobody has (stepped) above anybody else and all of them had their shining moments in the spring game."

Schedule

Sept. 3	Northern Iowa
Sept. 10	Iowa
Sept. 16	at Connecticut
Oct. 1	Texas
Oct. 8	at Baylor
Oct. 15	at Missouri
Oct. 22	Texas A&M
Oct. 29	at Texas Tech
Nov. 5	Kansas
Nov. 18	Oklahoma State
Nov. 26	at Oklahoma
Dec. 3	at Kansas State