Q&A with Clones Confidential editor Brian Spaen

Clones Confidential editor Brian Spaen sheds some light on the Iowa State Cyclones ahead of this Saturday’s clash in Austin. Visit Clones Confidential for the latest on the team that shares the same record as Texas. Follow Brian on twitter @spaeniard.

1. Have the Iowa State players had this game circled on the calendar after Texas came into Ames and stole last year’s game?

It’s possible. If the Cyclones were able to come away with a victory and move to 2-2 on the year, that could have done a lot for their morale and perhaps things wouldn’t have slid as far as they did. But they don’t hold many grudges for long. In fact, after the Oklahoma State debacle a few weeks ago, the fans and players have likely moved past the controversy that happened at the end of the Texas game last year.

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2. The offense seems to be Sam B. Richardson. He even leads the team in rushing. Why has it been difficult for the Cyclones to get the run game established?

For the second straight year, the running game has been a major disappointment. It hasn’t been as bad as least season, but the offensive line has had some changes due to injury and personal reasons. Ben Loth, a backup center, had his career end on the first day of fall camp. Jacob Gannon, who left the team days before the K-State game due to anxiety, came back a few weeks ago when he got the help he needed.

Jacob Dunning and Brock Dagel are also out for the season with leg injuries. With constant moving at the line, it’s hard to create chemistry and open things up for the running backs.

Both Aaron Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy are very talented running backs, but similar to Iowa State’s talented stable of running backs last year, they can’t be relied upon to jumpstart the offense. Last season, running back Shontrelle Johnson finally broke through after the Cyclones started passing the ball better. ISU has to throw the ball to set up their running attack.

3. Does the up-tempo attack Paul Rhoads used against Toledo fit this team’s personnel? 

They’re trying to make it fit. Offensive coordinator Mark Mangino wants an up-tempo offense and that was talked about during fall camp. However, it just hasn’t translated well. That’s mainly due to their opponents. Their first three games against NDSU, Kansas State, and Iowa were all against opponents heavy on dominating the clock. When Iowa State couldn’t get their offense moving, it created a bad situation for the defense.

That’s why Rhoads said they won’t force it against Texas. Heading into last week, Toledo was ranked 120th in pass defense. Texas is ranked 3rd. Obviously, it’s going to be a much bigger challenge to have constant success in the passing game. Unless it’s really clicking, don’t expect the up-tempo attack.

4. Tight end E.J. Bibbs has 11 catches and three touchdowns in the last two games. Is he finally healthy after off-season knee surgery?

Bibbs looks much healthier in the last couple of games, which is great news for the passing game. With so many receivers going down, the tight end had to step up and he’s done just that. I wouldn’t say he’s the main target as a receiver, though.

That belongs to Allen Lazard, a true freshman who’s 6-foot-5 and has been underused. He finally got the ball in the second half against Toledo. Lazard must be a part of the offense to have success, and if Richardson delivers the ball to both Lazard and Bibbs, those offensive stats will continue to rise.

5. Who should Longhorn fans watch on defense? 

Cornerback Nigel Tribune and free safety Kamari Cotton-Moya in the secondary. Despite being just a sophomore and freshman, respectively, they’ve played extremely well against any assignment they’ve faced. Outside of the game against Baylor, they don’t allow many yards after the catch.

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This defense is a lot better than it looks on paper. They shut down passing attacks (favoring them against the Longhorns’ 90th-ranked passing offense) and defensive coordinator Wally Burnham is never afraid to bring the house. Oklahoma State was lifeless offensively in the first half after surrendering two picks and getting just six points before the final play of the half. Toledo was forced to run the ball often. The problem is the offense hasn’t been able to stay on the field and the defense weakens down eventually.

That being said, a weakness remains at stopping the run. They were able to hold both Jonathan Gray and Malcolm Brown to under 100 yards combined on the ground last season, but they still remain a big challenge.

6. Iowa State has hung with Texas the last few years. What do the Cyclones have to do to leave Austin with a win?

Two things must happen for ISU to get a victory. Although it looks impossible, the passing attack must succeed. It’s pretty clear that Richardson needs to be accurate, and the best talent on the offense is in the wide receiver corps. Getting up-tempo would be ideal, but I’m sure if the passing game finds success that they’ll want to get both Wimberly and Nealy involved to control the clock.

Defensively, they not only need to get stops, but they need to force turnovers. The Texas offense continues to improve every week and if Tyrone Swoopes is on his game passing the ball, there’s going to be too many weapons for the Iowa State defense to stop. The Cyclones must create more possessions for their offense if it becomes a shootout.