Iowa State Cyclones 2024 Preview: Promising Winds Over Ames

© Chris Day-The Commercial Appeal/USA TODAY SPORTS

The Iowa State Cyclones are coming off a surprisingly decent season after being picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 Conference in 2023. Young talent shined in multiple different ways and showed just how much depth the Cyclones will have for years to come. 

This season, their preseason ranking has improved as they are picked to finish No. 6 in the preseason poll. Some believe that Iowa State could be a dark horse to finish as Big 12 champions. One of many wild-card teams in the conference, this season’s success hinges on different things.

Iowa State Offense

The Iowa State offense is one of the better units in the Big 12. It has an experienced offensive line. The Cyclones also have a talented receiving corps led by seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Iowa State has an up-and-coming running back in Abu Sama III along with a young, upstart quarterback eyeing to have another big year in Rocco Becht.

Iowa State’s offense finished No. 79 in total offense last year. Its running back room could not stay healthy. The running backs also could not produce like in earlier seasons when Breece Hall and David Montgomery were around. But Sama made a name for himself, finishing out the regular season with a monstrous performance against the Kansas State Wildcats. He had 16 carries for 276 yards (17.3 yards/carry) and 3 touchdowns. Sama is on 2024’s Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, which shows just how much potential he has as a sophomore.

Iowa State has no shortage of superb sophomores. Starting quarterback Becht showed flashes of a very bright future. Becht finished with 3,120 yards passing, 63 yards rushing and 26 total touchdowns as a redshirt freshman.

Becht, the son of St. Louis Battlehawks head coach and former NFL tight end Anthony Becht, has been around the game a while. He has a knowledge base unseen in a lot of underclassmen quarterbacks. It shows up in his play and his leadership, which is why Iowa State had a solid season. Becht's play will dictate how the Cyclones finish in games this year, but he will have a lot of help.

Iowa State’s receiving corps has the experience and skill to be an elite unit nationally this season. The Cyclones have stellar NFL-caliber receivers in Higgins and Noel. Their tight ends, led by Benjamin Brahmer, are set to be one of the better units in the Big 12. It's all due to their athletes and their experience. Iowa State finished in the top 50 in passing offense and receiving yards per game. Given that they return essentially their entire core, that number is almost certain to go up.

The Cyclones have strong offensive weapons. But so do other contenders in the Big 12. Under new offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, will Iowa State keep the momentum going?

Take note. Their defensive unit also will play a large part in their potential success.

Iowa State Defense

Iowa State’s defense returns nine starters. Its strength in experience does not stop with the players. Defensive coordinator Joe Heacock enters his eighth year. He has 39 total years of coaching experience. Heacock leads a unit that has been successful during his tenure at Iowa State. Expectations remain high, so the Cyclones' defense is set to have another big year.

Starting with the secondary, the Cyclones totaled 16 interceptions in 2023, tying for No. 13 in the nation. Jim Thorpe and Bednarik Watch List member Jeremiah Cooper returns this season. He is paired with fellow junior safety Malik Verdon, who is also set to have a big year. 

The secondary's big loss happened in losing All-American cornerback TJ Tampa. Now, young up-and-comers Jontez Williams and Darien Porter will have to fill his shoes. The secondary unit likely will be the strength of the Cyclones' defense. If they can keep from preventing the big play, then look for it to be a leader as best secondary in the conference.

As for the front seven, they struggled to find their footing last year. After losing stud defensive lineman Will McDonald IV, the Cyclones' pass rush took a step back. It only totaled 21 sacks and placed a measly No. 109 in the FBS rankings. 

After that learning experience along with returning starters, that unit hopefully takes a step up. The Cyclones added Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks transfer Kenard Snyder to bolster their line. They also will have veterans like Dominique Orange and Joey Petersen taking the reins.

The linebacking corps had youth and inexperience, but was strong in defending the run. Iowa State allowed 134.2 yards per game and placed No. 37 in the FBS. This year, the Cyclones' linebacking corps has depth and a solid rotation, led by Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel. The run defense will be strong once again this season. Getting the pass rush going once again would make a huge difference for this defense. This is a point that Heacock and the Cyclones' defenders know about all too well.

In Conclusion

Iowa State is set to be good for a long time, including this season with its young talent. Even with a solid season, it was still a major learning experience last year. This is especially after losing its bowl game against the Memphis Tigers in tough fashion. The Cyclones will look to bounce back better than ever and have the ability to do so. 

How much better can Iowa State be compared to the Big 12's fierce competition? The Big 12 will be better top to bottom this year and every game will be contested. Iowa State may just have the seventh-strongest schedule in the conference. As tight as the Big 12 is this season, that means little. The Cyclones will need to play their best for any shot at making the title game in December. 

They have every opportunity to do so. While Iowa State might not surprise anyone like it did last year, its experience and talent will pay major dividends. Winning the Big 12 will be tough, but it will be possible especially if this Iowa State team lives up to their potential.

Iowa State is picked to finish toward the upper middle of the Big 12. Don't expect them to be lower than that. Should everything go their way, the Cyclones could easily be at the top when all is said and done.

Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big 12)