I know it is December, but this is fun.

Tell me why this would be a bad idea.

Big Four Classic in early November - Tournament Event. Friday two games at 4:00 and 7:00. Saturday two games at 1:00 and 4:00. Don't care how the seeding takes place, you could draw numbers for all I care.

• Iowa State
• Iowa
• UNI
• Drake

Get NIL money involved. $100k Base to play in it. Plus bonus below.

• 1st place - $500k
• 2nd place - $350k
• 3rd place - $200k
• 4th place - $50k

Host would rotate between the schools. So Iowa State hosts, then Iowa, then UNI, then Drake or whatever order.

I don't know, thought about it today. Sounds fun, sure there are many arguments behind it.

Would be great for Drake and UNI in terms of NIL money. Would also mean something for Iowa and Iowa State.

I am. Something special happening with the FB program. For everything Rogers has been able to accomplish in the past FEW days ... give him and his staff 270 more days .... Wooooooo!

This week, with a nod to our new football coach, we're looking for songs with artists, titles or lyrics that contain the names, Jimmy or Rogers. Either first or last names will count.

Variations, including James, Jim, Jimmie; Roger or Rodgers are also acceptable.

In addition, we will accept songs with groups who have major contributing members with those names.

Last week we did "Wrestle It Out." It can be found here:
https://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/threads/on-that-note-wrestle-it-out.295903/

Your hosts for OTN are @cyclones500, @CycloneRulzzz and me.

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Per reports, Jimmy Rogers has found his offensive coordinator.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Lions tight ends coach Tyler Roehl is leaving Detroit to return to Ames. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2025/12/...r-roehl-as-offensive-coordinator-per-reports/

I've been thinking about the great nonconference success Otzleberger teams have had over his years. This year they're 9-0 in the nonconference this year and have beaten the number 1 team at their place and another top 25 team at a neutral site, and have some other wins that could be NCAA tourney teams in March. Just awesome. Last year they were something like 11-1 and beat #5 Marquette, and won other big nonconference games as well, like winning games in Maui against good teams. In 2023, they weren't quite as strong but started conference strong as well. In 2022, they beat Villanova, no. 1 UNC, etc. It's truly AMAZING, and we are lucky to have this staff. We have to do everything we can to keep Otzleberger and his staff and players supported, whether through monetary contributions, attendance, or positive interactions (please stop the stupid Twitter trolling). However, with that all being said, I'm concerned the rotation will be shortened again in conference play and our guys will get a bit worn out. I hope the player rotation will stay a 9 or 10 man.

It's a long season, and I would hope the bench rotation will stay large and guys like Pleta and Batemon continue to get double-digit minutes. Batemon didn't in the Purdue game and it has me worried. I think he sat the entire second half. Not only do those two particularly have a lot of potential for our future, but they're contributors now. I hope Otz keeps the rotation larger. In prior seasons, injuries (see Lipsey in prior years getting beat up down the stretch and maybe not playing 100% healthy in March) and just the wear and tear of how tough they play seems to maybe show up a bit in February and March and they maybe haven't finished the season in March when it matters as well as they would like compared to early season. Instead of shortening the bench into conference play this year, maybe keep it long? It would be great if the minutes averages the guys are getting now somehow stay similar through conference play. Jefferson is averaging almost 30 minutes a game right now, Lipsey 31.3, Milan 27.3. Batemon is averaging 6.9 points in 13.9 minutes a game. That's really good. Pleta is contributing 9.4 minutes and 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Heise has 26 minutes a game, but similar points to Batemon. I hope those minutes averages remain high and don't drop as they have with teams in the past (like last year when Watson and Indrusaitis dropped off from playing 6 to 10/ 12 minutes a game early to nothing at the end of the year and our rotation was shortened).

Bottom line: this team is playing awesome and has beaten some really good opponents impressively so. Armchair fans like me don't have much to criticize or nitpick and we are very lucky. But, we've had these kinds of starts before under Otz where our early season has some great results and then we cool down or maybe get a bit tired down the stretch as our 9 or 10 man rotation in years' past drops to 7 or 8. A smaller rotation seems fine for that last March tourney run, but I hope there's more PT this year for the bench than in prior years in the months of January, February. Thoughts?

No. 4 Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum on Thursday for the 2025 Cy-Hawk game. Watch everything T.J. Otzelberger, Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure said ahead of the matchup below. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2025/12/...and-killyan-toure-said-ahead-of-cy-hawk-game/

What are the chances that Mouser gets an opportunity to become the HC at Toledo? Obviously was a GA at Toledo coming out of college. I am not sure he would be content with going from an OC at Iowa State to a position coach at Penn State. Thoughts on this?

This game is a toss up in my books. I've been saying all season that Iowa is VERY good. But so are our Sisters.

I think we’re all pretty bummed about how the last week played out, but I’m a glass half full guy and there are real reasons for optimism moving forward:

1. We’re on an even playing field with our peers.
   In the past we had to battle Texas, OU, Nebraska, A&M, and Mizzou, all programs with much bigger historical profiles. And during that same run K State, Oklahoma State, and Baylor were all rolling. Today, outside of Texas Tech and maybe BYU, we are recruiting against teams that are truly on our level.
2. Our name carries weight now, especially in the Midwest.
   Kids who are 18 to 22 years old know Iowa State as a consistent top 25ish program. When Campbell took over, today’s high school seniors were about eight years old. All they have ever seen is ISU being solid and nationally relevant.
3. Our facilities are legitimately impressive.
   We have the second largest stadium in the Big 12, an upgraded football complex, and we are far removed from the days of practicing at Lied Rec. By conference standards we are in a really strong spot.
4. $13-15 million dollars in NIL is real firepower.
   No, we are not playing in the Penn State or SEC money tier, but we have never recruited head to head with those schools anyway. We now have enough resources to consistently attract and retain the level of talent needed to compete for Big 12 titles.
5. The defense needed a reset.
   Big 12 offenses adjusted, and the 3-3-5 was not going to be the long term answer. A change was overdue, and I am excited to see what Coach Rodgers does with a fresh defensive vision.

I am all in on Coach Jimmy Rodgers. Hopefully he keeps a few key pieces, builds a tough roster, and brings new energy to the program.

You are either with us or against us. Roll Clones!!

Just having a little fun.

@JakeBrend you were wondering where Milans nickname Los comes from on Two Guys. It is short for Milosh. He talked about it in an interview last year. Starts at the 6:50 mark.

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I help run a non-profit organization that is having a small fundraiser at a wrestling meet this thursday. I was wondering if anyone on here had 2-4 either GA or assigned seats for ANY of the duals they would want to donate? I have had success on here before so thought I would shoot my shot. Go Cyclones!! send me a message. thanks

Dylan Coon and Nigel Dyson discuss Iowa State’s dominant road win over previous No. 1 Purdue. The boys talk about the rapid development of the roster, as well as preview the Cy-Hawk matchup and more.

Enjoy!

Fresh column for your Sunday afternoon from Randy Pete.

Randy breaks down Iowa State’s decision to forgo a bowl game and the broader context behind today’s news.

Jimmy Rogers has been officially introduces as Iowa State's new football head coach.

Watch everything Rogers said during his first press conference on the job. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2025/12/watch-jimmy-rogers-introductory-press-conference/

On Monday's Daily Clone, Jake Brend recaps Jimmy Rogers' first press conference as the head coach of Iowa State football. Hear what Rogers had to say about his first meeting with the team, his defensive scheme and roster building strategies. Plus, Jamie Pollard clarifies his policy and strategy on NIL.

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If anyone is interested in more of the X’s and O’s, this thread has some clips of Purdue game with a little info of each.

Wow how much does that guy hate Jamie Pollard and Iowa State. Helping recruit CMC to Penn State!?!

Let's see how well you remember a few of the famous players the Cyclones have played over the years. Take the quiz now. Good luck.