It’s spring football time, and Cyclone fans have plenty to look forward to in 2005. Coming off of a bowl win and riding the backs of freshmen and sophomores everywhere you look, the Cyclones will enter the new season as a favorite — yes, I said a favorite — to win the Big 12 North — not the normal underdog status Cyclone fans have gotten used to over the years.

The offense brings back sophomores or juniors who started last year in every position, making it one of the youngest, most promising groups in the conference.

There will be no quarterback controversy like last year, as proven sophomore quarterback Bret Meyer will be your for-sure starter. Meyer, the 2004 freshman All-American quarterback, showed off his running ability in the Independence Bowl, as he ran for 122 yards. Look for him to do more of that this fall. I don’t think it will be Seneca Wallace-type running, but enough to make the defense respect him in the pocket.

There will be no Austin Flynn taking snaps this year, as Flynn and Terrance Highsmith will do a little position flip-flop. Highsmith should enter the fall No. 2 on the quarterback depth chart and Flynn will move to wide receiver.

At running back, Stevie Hicks will again be the man and Jason Scales will back him up. Look for Hicks to have his best year as a Cyclone, because he has the much-improved offensive line to run behind. Hicks is a powerful runner and Scales is very shifty. The combination could drive Big 12 defenses crazy if Scales can develop a little more during the spring and summer months.

If you’re worried about Todd Blythe’s knee injury affecting him next season, don’t. He is improving steadily, and head coach Dan McCarney said he will be at full strength Sept. 3 against Illinois State.

Flynn will see a lot of playing time as a receiver, where he has impressed coaches during the first weeks of spring ball. Jon Davis and Milan Moses will once again be factors, but Blythe is the glue holding this offense together as the primary receiving threat.

The tight end position will have a different look in the fall as junior college transfer Walter Nickel will come in to be the huge receiving threat at the tight end position the Cyclones were lacking last year. Look for him to be a key offensive contributor during his first year as a Cyclone. Ben Barkema will be the primary blocking tight end.

I believe the key to any offensive success in the fall will be the offensive line. Do you remember watching Meyer run for his life during that Missouri heartbreaker last year? Bret Culbertson didn’t lose that game for the Cyclones — it was the offensive line. The additions of Paul and Scott Fisher along with transfer Scott Stephenson have the offensive line looking completely different. Add those three to the already-tested Aaron Brant and the Cyclones could be sporting one of the top offensive lines in the Big 12.