Iowa State Cyclones double down on their smashmouth identity as Jake Thornton arrives from Auburn to supercharge the offensive line. Can the Cyclones’ trench dominance become their winning formula in the Big 12?
Iowa State Cyclones double down on their smashmouth identity as Jake Thornton arrives from Auburn to supercharge the offensive line. Can the Cyclones’ trench dominance become their winning formula in the Big 12? Nick Marovets spotlights Thornton’s proven SEC pedigree, Auburn’s and Ole Miss’s top rushing stats, and how Iowa’s homegrown linemen could give the Cyclones an edge. Key comparisons between Iowa State and Auburn’s rushing and pass protection numbers set the stage for a potential ground-game resurgence.
On the recruiting front, Iowa State flips speedy athlete Malcolm Watkins from Washington State as top commits weigh their futures. Nick Marovets breaks down major decommitments, offensive weapons to watch, and how new defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbitt’s analytical approach—backed by advanced metrics from Washington State and South Dakota State—could keep the Cyclones elite on defense. Don’t miss this breakdown of Iowa State’s strategic pivots and bold new hires shaping the team’s future.