I did this the last couple years. Its now more important than ever to win these games for the conference. If the Big 12 wants to be taken serious we have to have an impressive non-con record.

Week 0/1:

TCU N UNC (Dublin week 0)
Colorado @ Georgia Tech
Baylor N Auburn (Atlanta)
Cincinnati vs Boston College

Week 2:

Utah vs Arkansas
Kansas vs Missouri
Arizona State @ Texas A&M
Oklahoma State vs Oregon
Iowa State @ Iowa
UCF @ Pitt

Week 3:

Colorado @ Northwestern
West Virginia N Virginia (Charlotte)

Week 7:

BYU vs Notre Dame

Teams not playing a P4 team (SHAME, SHAME, SHAME):

Texas Tech - no P4 scheduled until 2030
Kansas State - no P4 scheduled until 2028
Arizona
Houston
*having three of our upper half teams not playing a major non-con game really hurts

Conference splits:

Big10: 3
SEC: 4
ACC: 5
Indy: 1

T.J. Otzelberger agrees to a 10-year contract extension worth $6 million annually, making him the sixth-highest paid coach in college basketball.

DETAILS: https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/...to-a-10-year-contract-extension-through-2036/

Chris Williams and Brent Blum react to Brendan Sorsby’s gambling allegations. What does it mean for the rest of the Big 12? Kansas lands the nation’s top player while Otzelberger brings a huge recruit to campus. Diving into the latest NBA mock draft and more courtesy of Mechdyne.

What daily games do you play?

I've got

Maptap.gg - One of my more recent favorites
Globle
Puzzle Shikaku
Wordle (NYT)
Sudoku (NYT)
Strands (NYT)

I used to do a couple more through the NYT before they paywalled them.

Jake Brend explains the latest college sports gambling scandal with Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby. What does it mean for Iowa State and the Big 12? Presented by Whiskey River in the Northwest Bank Studios. Login to view embedded media

Congratulations to both of these future Cyclones​

Coby Merrill will be a freshman at Iowa State next year and will be our Hwt as a true freshman​

Jimmy Mastny will be a senior in high school next year and will be our future 197 pounder​

Freestyle​

Finals​

57 - Isaiah Cortez, SCRT over Grey Burnett, BTW (Dec 4-1 )

61 - Elijah Cortez, SCRT over Dean Anderson, VWC (TF 10-0 (4:06) )

65 - Bo Bassett, TMWC over Kellen Wolbert, AWA (TF 14-4 (2:14) )

70 - Landon Robideau, CRTM over Seth Mendoza, TSWC (Dec 8-2 )

74 - Jayden James, KTTM over Haakon Peterson, AWA (Dec 9-1 )

79 - Ryan Burton, STMW over Asher Cunningham, NLTM (Dec 9-4 )

86 - Aeoden Sinclair, TSRT over Brock Mantanona, CKWC (Dec 9-0 )

92 - Jimmy Mastny, RTC over Lincoln Jipp, BGWC (Dec 15-14 )

97 - Michael Boyle, OCG over Robert Platt, THWC (Dec 11-2 )

125 - Coby Merrill, NYAC over Dreshaun Ross, CORT (Dec 8-6 )

Hi everyone,

Finally caught up on my editing and I have a gallery for you all from Saturday's spring showcase! I got way more photos than I anticipated which is nice since I'm starting fresh here with the new staff and faces on the team. Fun energy at Jack Trice honestly.


Enjoy!

Jake Brend shares his five biggest takeaways from Iowa State's spring showcase on Saturday. Plus, Brend updates where the 2026 Tailgate Tour will be headed and more on new associate head coach Caroline McCombs. Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery in the Northwest Bank Studios. Login to view embedded media

We are going to Europe next year and so I’m looking to get a camera and maybe get into photography with that.

I’m really looking to start out pretty budget conscious but still want to get quality stuff. My criteria is for a compact camera with room for growth and a viewfinder.

I’ve done some research and I’m thinking of the Cannon EOS R50. This seems to be the best entry point from what I can tell. It has some better features than the R100 but is still reasonably affordable.

I’ve talked to some family about it and they think it is crazy expensive but from what I can tell it really is on the budget end.

Any other guidance for someone looking to buy a camera? Are there any good suggestions for beginner classes or anything? Any accessories that are necessary.

Like I said my primary goal is for a good camera separate from a phone that I can use on a European trip. We went on a trip last year to New York and had way too many pictures for our phones. Secondary goal is a camera that I could use going forward.

The first spring football season under Jimmy Rogers is wrapped up at Iowa State.

In the final episode of our Spring Football Series, Jake Brend, Rob Gray and Jackson Pence react to Saturday's Spring Showcase. What names popped? Which units looked most impressive? Presented by A+ Lawn & Landscape. https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/spring-football-showcase-recap-april-27-2026/

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Seems like a fun event! Just have to email Robin if you want to go to RSVP to ensure they have enough food

Iowa State officially hires Caroline McCombs as associate head coach.

The former George Washington and Stony Brook head coach spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant at Auburn. She will begin her duties immediately. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/caroline-mccombs-named-iowa-state-associate-head-coach/

Between Midnight Alley, a Big 12 Championship and Domonique Orange's NFL Draft moment, this weekend provided a lot for Andrew Harrington to write about in this week's Monday Musings. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/monday-musings-may-contain-nuts/

I just learned how to create QR code in MS Word.

Jackson Pence joins Chris Williams and Brent Blum to break down all of the happenings at Iowa State’s “spring showcase” on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium. The trio discusses strengths, concerns, and the overall vibes within the program as Jimmy Rogers’ first spring comes to a close in Ames. Plus, reviewing Iowa State’s weekend in the NFL Draft, all courtesy of Mechdyne.

Fresh column for your Sunday night.


Randy Peterson on Jaylen Raynor, the depth chart and what’s ahead for the Cyclones.

The article here talks mainly about keeping Aiden Flora. My question, have we heard anything about, or much about, Jayden Jackson? I thought he was a key player that stayed through the transition and had a pretty high ceiling when recruited. I haven't heard much. I wonder why?

Didn't see this posted but might have missed. Anyway, congrats to our golfer gals!

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Starting this thread with the new guys...

Draft
Domonique Orange - Minnesota

UDFA
Jim Bonifas - Miami
Dylan Barrett - Green Bay
Tyler Miller - Denver
James Neal - Houston (added 4/26)

Minicamp Invite
Tyler Moore - Carolina
Tamatoa McDonough - Denver (added 4/26)
Tyler Perkins - Jacksonville (added 4/28)

The defense won the day, despite some explosive plays by the offense.But it was "Midnight Alley" that stole the show. It was a display of what the Jimmy Rogers era can be about. Jake Brend reports from Jack Trice Stadium. Login to view embedded media