Because of deadline restraints, I was forced to write this before the big season opener for the football team. Instead of making specific comments on the Cyclones and looking like a fool, I am going to do something different.

I decided to steal an idea from my good friend Chad Calek, who originally stole the idea from David Letterman and compose a top 10 list.

My top 10 list is going to be 10 reasons Jack Trice Field is going to be more exciting in ’95.

I would call it Cyclone Stadium, but that sounds too generic. Besides it should be called Jack Trice Stadium, but I’ll get to that in later writings.

So, without rambling on any more here is:

MY TOP 10 REASONS JACK TRICE FIELD WILL BE MORE EXCITING IN ’95

10) McCarney

Is our new football coach enthusiastic or what? Coach Mac takes to coaching football the same way most ISU students take to partying.

9) TDs

TDs as in more touchdowns, or more importantly, as in Troy Davis and Todd Doxson. You can’t go wrong with two TDs in your offensive backfield.

8) New uniforms

No more corncob looking uniforms.

7) Greeks, greeks and more greeks

Rumor is the new marketing slogan for the football team is going to be “More Greeks Than You Can Shake A Stick At.” I think it’s great that you are trying to reach out to the students, but come on coach, what about the rest of us?

6) Wins

Refer to reason No. 1.

5) Defense

With a renewed emphasis on defense, no more 50-47 or 37-34 losses.

4) Johnny Orr

Watching the former Cyclone basketball chief lead the alumni marching band at halftime of the homecoming game is worth the price of admission alone.

3) Jack Trice Field Magic

If we can create Hilton Magic, we can do the same for the football team.

2) New Cy emblem

Doesn’t the new Cy look like he means business?

And the No. 1 reason Jack Trice Field will be more exciting in ’95

is …

1) No magic markers for the marching band this season

OK, OK that’s a cheap shot at the marching band. From what I understand, we have one of the best marching bands in the nation.

Much in the same way that almost everything from last season should be forgotten, the marching band poster incident should be forgotten. I will be looking forward to listening to our marching band during halftime this season.

Many things about this upcoming season excite me.

For all the gaps the team seems to have on both sides of the ball, I think there is a lot of talent on the team. I look for good things to come from formerly unknown gridders Byron Heitz and Paul Skartvedt on the offensive line.

Many players will have to step up for the Cyclones to enable us to have a successful season. What is a successful season? To me, a successful season will be for the Cyclones to win one non-conference and one conference game. A Big Eight road win would be an added plus.

Win or lose, I think the Cyclones will be more exciting than they have been in recent years. I think it would be great if students would support the football team with as much fervor as they support the basketball team.

Bill Kopatich is a sophomore in journalism from Des Moines.