Entering his third season as the coach of the Cyclones, Paul Rhoads said the 2011-12 team is the best he’s coached since being here. He said the same in 2010 and had great things to say when he arrived back on campus in 2009.

While he very likely could be 100 percent correct – because, let’s face it, he’s the only one who can truly gauge the different teams he’s coached – it also doesn’t mean a whole lot in terms of the success his team will have.

With the Big 12 shrinking to 10 teams and having to play each team in the Big 12 every year, Iowa State now will consistently have one of the toughest schedules in the country each year. The team only having three non-conference games – one of which being Iowa, a perennial contender whether Cyclone fans want to admit it or not – leaves Rhoads and Co. with their work cut out for them.

That being said, the ISD Sports Editorial Board went through and analyzed Iowa State’s schedule. We’ve picked each game and given you our reasons why we believe the Cyclones will win or lose each particular game.

Of course, things could and likely will change as the season wears on with injuries and things, but our results are based on the team as it is going into the opener against Northern Iowa.

Game 1: Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa

Winner: Iowa State

Why? This isn’t your run-of-the-mill FCS team. Rhoads, by his own admission, believes Northern Iowa is as fast – if not faster – than the Cyclones. The Panthers are regular contenders in the FCS, losing the 2005 national championship game to Appalachian State. However, Iowa State is still a Big 12 team and does have a talent advantage. It’s not a blowout, but Iowa State takes the win.

Game 2: Iowa State vs. Iowa

Winner: Iowa

Why? While the Hawkeyes may be in a down year, their offensive and defensive lines are still better overall than that of the Cyclones. Iowa State has a much better chance to beat the Hawkeyes than in the last few years, but Steele Jantz and his teammates will come up short in this one.

Game 3: Iowa State at Connecticut

Winner: Iowa State

Why? This could very well be the ugliest game on Iowa State’s schedule. By ugly, we mean 9-6 or 6-3 ugly. The departure of Randy Edsall following the Big East title could mean a rough season for the Huskies, and despite the Cyclones not being great on the road, expect the Cyclones to jump at an early-season opportunity.

Game 4: Iowa State vs. Texas

Winner: Texas

Why? There’s no way Mack Brown allows his Longhorns to lose two straight to Iowa State. He could barely handle the upset last season, totally dismissing anything the Cyclones might have done right, simply blaming the loss on his team. Expect Brown to have his squad more than ready to punish Iowa State for last year.

Game 5: Iowa State at Baylor

Winner: Baylor

Why? Three words: Robert Griffin III. He’s a Heisman candidate in our eyes as well as many others, and while the Cyclones were able to hold him in check last year, it’ll be pretty difficult to do so this year. Expect a lot of points in Waco for this game, but in the end Griffin outplays Jantz for the win.

Game 6: Iowa State at Missouri

Winner: Missouri

Why? Remember when we said Iowa State isn’t the best road team ever? That applies here as well. Potentially a winnable game for the Cyclones in the final game last year, it is again this year. Another low-scoring affair, but the Cyclones lose in a close one.

Game 7: Iowa State vs. Texas A&M

Winner: Texas A&M

Why? ISU fans may not have the same vitriol for A&M for leaving the Big 12 as they did for Nebraska, but expect loud boos in Jack Trice Stadium on Homecoming. All the boos in the world won’t win a game, though. No matter how people feel about them for leaving – again, like Nebraska – they’re still a great football team. A&M spoils Homecoming for the Cyclones.

Game 8: Iowa State at Texas Tech

Winner: Texas Tech

Why? It might be easy for Cyclones to assume they can do to Texas Tech what they did last season, but that’s easier said than done. Not to beat a dead horse, but on the road against a high-powered offense doesn’t add up to success for Iowa State. Not a lot of defense in a Tech win.

Game 9: Iowa State vs. Kansas

Winner: Iowa State

Why? If you’re keeping track, that’s four straight losses coming into a merciful home game against Kansas. Unless the Cyclones have all the morale and confidence beat out of them by this point, they should win this game fairly comfortably. Sure, it’ll be a Band-Aid on a bullet wound by this point, but it’s better than nothing.

Game 10: Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State

Winner: Oklahoma State

Why? This game – on national television no less – and the next will be akin to the Utah-Oklahoma stretch a year ago. It’ll be really tough for the Cyclones to stop one of the best Oklahoma State teams in recent memory. The Cowboys officially end any mathimatical hope of the Cyclones reaching a bowl game.

Game 11: Iowa State at Oklahoma

Winner: Oklahoma

Why? Cyclone fans can find solace in the fact that at least this game isn’t in Ames. They might give the Sooners a little trouble – at least more than the 52-0 effort last year – but it might not be much better. This OU squad very likely could be headed to the national championship game, and several of its players to the NFL.

Game 12: Iowa State at Kansas State

Winner: Iowa State

Why? Since their last win over the Wildcats in 2007, the Cyclones have lost three close games to Kansas State while playing “Farmageddon” at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Consider this redemption for those, as well as tough road losses during this season. Cyclones close the season with a win.

That leaves Iowa State at 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big 12. A lot can, and will, happen over the course of the next four months. One thing is for sure: The Cyclones have some work to do.