The Iowa State football program has many unanswered questions as we head into a summer that will be filled with speculation, fact and fiction.
Topics of discussion at barbecues will range from who starts at what position to how many games the Cyclones will actually win.
What we know is that Iowa State opens the season Aug. 30 at home against North Dakota State, a three-time Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) national champ.
What we also know is that the Cyclones immediately jump into the Big 12 Conference fray the following Saturday at home against Kansas State.
What we don’t know is …
WHO TAKES THE FIRST SNAP?
Unless something really goes sour between now and the end of August, expect Grant Rohach to be either under or behind center Tom Farniok.
He was the most productive of the spring game trio, and there is no reason to believe that either Sam Richardson or Joel Lanning will surpass him.
Furthermore, offensive coordinator Mark Mangino wants to name a starter as quickly as possible after practice resumes in late summer. He’s not into quarterback quandaries. He wants to concentrate on one guy. Learning a new system with new terminology from new offensive coaches will be intense enough.
REVERTING TO THE SINGLE WING?
Got your attention yet?
This offensive guessing game includes what kind of offense Rohach will run – and that secret will remain locked inside the Fort Knox-like practice-field fence for a while.
It will stay that way unless something trickles out on social media, of course – and then it might just be a ploy to get opponents thinking Pistol, before crossing them up with Veer.
When asked about the approach a few times during Cyclone Tailgate Tour stops, coach Paul Rhoads said:
“We’ll leave you guessing on the offense.”
The best guess is that the Mangino offense won’t be much different than Iowa State fans have seen in the past – it’ll just be a lot better.
It will include short passes for tailbacks Aaron Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy to turn into big gains. It’ll include the same type of play for tight end E.J. Bibbs, who will be one of the best in the Big 12.
When successful with the mid-range game, it’s then bombs away for Quenton Bundrage, Jarvis West and the other speedy receivers with big-play capabilities.
Wimberly and Nealy will rush the ball – combining for 1,000 yards while, for the first times in their Iowa State lives, running behind a veteran line.
WHO DOES ISU BEAT?
You thought last season was tough, losing against three opponents that finished in the Associated Press’ top 20?
That was just the warm-up act, if very early 2013 preseason predictions are to be believed.
Seven of the Cyclones’ 12 opponents are mentioned on at least one of five examined lists, including what ESPN calls its Way Too Early Top 25. Oklahoma and Baylor are on all five, Texas is on three, Kansas State is on two, while Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Iowa are on one.
That leaves North Dakota State, Toledo (7-5 last season), Kansas, West Virginia and TCU as Iowa State’s unranked opponents.
WHO REPLACES BANISHED PLAYERS?
David Irving and Rodney Coe were headed toward interior defensive line stardom – until running afoul of the law and/or Iowa State team rules with thinking that they’re above the program.
Both played considerably last season. Both had that nastiness that position coach Shane Burnham often talks about.
Both were kicked off the team, leaving potentially gigantic holes to be filled.
Don’t be surprised if transfer Terry Ayeni fills one of the spots. At least Brandon Jensen re-joined the team.
Or the two spots could be filled by Pierre Aka, Devlyn Cousin, Robby Garcia, or Vernell Trent, for that matter.
Bottom line: This will be the most intriguing competition on the practice field. We’ll follow up later on potential graying of Burnham’s hair.
WHO ARE THE MOST ESSENTIAL GUYS?
That’s an easy one. No speculation needed, here.
The offense will go as Farniok goes. With him healthy, Iowa State moved the ball last season. With him sidelined – the Cyclones didn’t.
The most crucial player on the defense is cornerback Nigel Tribune, who position coach Maurice Linquist says has “lockdown” potential.
He still must cut down on his pass interference tendency.
“I took some gambles last year that I probably shouldn’t have taken,” he said. “I’ve got to be aware of that, but at the same time, I need to be more aggressive.”
JUST WONDERING …
— Who replaces NFL-bound punter Kirby Van Der Kamp? Colin Downing, a true freshman from Whitefish Bay, Wis., gets first crack after averaging 43.2 yards a boot in high school.
— Has the annual Paul Rhoads Upset run its course? Don’t give up just because there wasn’t one last year. There’s plenty of opportunities, considering the Cyclones will be underdogs in at least nine games.
Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades and covers Cyclone football for the Register. Follow him all year on Twitter: @RandyPete.