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.

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/

Join the fun and enter into this years Bowl Game/Playoff Pick'em Contest!

Pick each game and assign a point confidence level to each game (the more confident you are in a game assign a higher point total). Person with the most points at the end wins.

Picks just need to be set before kickoff of each game. 1st set of Bowl games are this Saturday, Dec. 13th.

Below is the link on ESPN to join. Group name is called: Cyclone Fanatic Bowl Contest

To make it easier to track who is who please make sure your "Entry Name" is your username on Cyclone Fanatic. For example, for me it is: BigJCy

You can edit your Entry Name if you need to by clicking on the "Gear Wheel" located on the top right hand side of the "My Entries" Page.

With the longer Playoff when you first make your picks you will just have to select on a "group" of teams for the future Playoff games to be able to Save your Picks. Once the match-ups are determined you can go back and select the particular team you think will win.

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?

Just having a little fun.

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!!

@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 have never been to a concert at this venue. I know it's a big field but are there seats set up too or do you bring your own? The event I'm looking at is a popular group and was wondering what options there may be? Is parking, etc a pain?

TIA

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!

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

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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.

Here is my shot at making something complicated, less so. I'm not involved or an expert in this area, just a process nerd.

ISU is a non-profit, so largely you have to spend what you make (ie. no profit).

In 2024 the budget was balanced (top row). Money comes into the Ath. Dept. from the left and goes out to the right.

In 2025, you had this 20.5million expense (money to spend) that you never had before ('Ath. Rev Share' in Green) which has been allocated a specific way to the major sports (Pollard's control). You need to figure out how to raise money to offset it every year into the future. ISU said we will dip into the Ath. Dept. Savings (Red) to cover the gap short-term. Long Term, how does the Ath. Dept raise money or borrow from other areas (university, board of regents, etc) to fund the 'Red Box'? A problem Pollard and team are trying to solve.

Other universities promising more than 30m a year to football only, are counting on NILGO to account for the remaining amount above what the university is willing/able to contribute (20 million per year max currently for all sports) . This is where Pollard is saying he has no control over how other companies (Hyvee's and Fareway's of the world) choose to spend advertising dollars with athletes within ISU.

I think the grey area for universities right now is that 'Yellow' box. Those are handled outside of the Ath. Dept. budget but are just monitored by someone within the Ath. Dept, so they can see how much players are getting and ensuring it is being done per the university standards. Though, how can universities 'promise' to coaches they will get this much when they technically aren't the ones providing it?

Just trying to provide a little clarity to a complex topic.

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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Seen tweets that ND is unhappy with the ACC and looking to get away from their scheduling, B1G obviously doesn't need them. Is there an upside to the Big 12 taking them?

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/

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.

My good friend, a PSU alum who lives in State College, just told me one of the last questions at Campbell's PSU presser addressed the NIL rumors. Supposedly Campbell took a shot at JP saying how he and staff had to create their own NIL and do everything themselves. So it appears some of those rumors running around are based in fact..

JP needs to get his **** together regarding NIL.

Edit: Iowa just outside the top 25 at #26.

Starting at around the 9 minute mark. Goes for about 2.5 minutes. Thought some of you might want to know.

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Saw that UNLV is getting $11M for 5 years to add a jersey patch sponsor, much like the NBA has (and NHL with their helmets).

Getting an extra $2M+ a year for a G5 team could be substantial for their longevity, and I'd have to imagine should Iowa State do the same the deal would bring in more than $11M for 5 years.

Question is, would fans be okay with it?

Link to it:

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