Everybody else is doing it, so I am going to breakdown and give my prediction for the upcoming Cyclone football season.

This season of course marks the inaugural season of the Big 12, which is being touted as the strongest conference in college football. This could spell bad news for the Cyclones.

My prediction is that the Cyclones will have a record of 5-6, with wins against Wyoming, Northern Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Baylor.

Obviously I am being realistic by not predicting an undefeated national title year for Iowa State, but some might say theseexpectations are too high for the ‘Clones considering the new conference.

Despite the overachieving efforts of the Cyclones last year, namely Troy Davis and Dan McCarney, Iowa State has a long way to go before they become a power house in Division I football.

The fact is they play some of the toughest teams in football, and Iowa State is still in the building stages. The team is starting to gain a new personality under McCarney and his coaching staff, as well as some confidence in the team’s abilities.

There are still those who speculate the legitimacy of ISU’s offense, and even more who doubt the presence of a defense to line up opposite such Big 12 powers as Nebraska, Colorado and Texas A&M.

McCarney has already guaranteed that the Cyclones would not finish last in the conference in defense, and I for one believe him.

As for the offense, some actually have the audacity to suggest that ISU’s running game will not be as potent due to the fact that opponents will now be keying on Troy Davis.

Are you kidding? What do you think teams were doing last year, sitting back in a zone defense waiting to cover the deep threat receivers of the stellar Cyclone passing game?

Since Davis ran for almost 300 yards against UNLV, most teams had a pretty good idea what our offensive plan was, and keyed on him. Simply put, no matter what, the man will get his yards. If the Cyclones can win a couple more games, he could get a Heisman this year.

Lets not forget the second string running back that has joined the squad. Troy’s little brother Darren. He looks like Troy, and walks like Troy, and if he runs half as good… look out for the first brother combo to win Heisman trophies.

Passing will be the big question for ISU. Last year there were signs of brilliance in the form of Ed Williams sprinting down the sidelines after a crossing pattern. Cyclone fans should look forward to more of the same and hope for a healthy Todd Doxson.

Most importantly we have to remember that it was only two years ago that Iowa State had a winless season, and not try not to put any unwarranted pressure on the team.

ISU can only get stronger and eventually they will be in a bowl game. Cyclone fans need to just keep up the support and enjoy the ride.

Brandon Belisle is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Chicago.