Max Dible (3-0, 0-1 vs. line)

The ISU roster has spent this week taking the advice of David Bowie. Whether it was done by choice or out of necessity is a player-by-player distinction, but either way, the Cyclones have undoubtedly “turned and faced the strange cha-cha-changes.” Whether they’ve been faced with aplomb remains to be seen.

The difference between Bowie and the Cyclones is the Cyclones do want to be richer men, and this shake-up might be just want the team needs. Instability brought on by disagreement at the very top of the program — between coach Paul Rhoads and former offensive coordinator Mark Mangino, to be specific — is never a “good” thing.

But if their competing views were so far apart that Rhoads had to fire the Orange-Bowl winning, former-head coach of Kansas — who vaulted the Jayhawks all the way to a No. 1 ranking what seems like decades ago — the tension had to be palpable.

And in any context, removing tension is a positive development. The booming massage business is testament enough to that.

The transition of Joel Lanning from backup quarterback to starter should also invigorate the team, just like his presence did when he led the Cyclones back to the brink of contention at Baylor last Saturday in two and a half quarters of play — leading Iowa State on a 27-10 run over the game’s final 38 minutes.

The matchup is favorable as well. Texas is not the powerhouse it once was, even if the Longhorns have won two games in a row. They play slower, and the ISU offense has a better chance to compete when its opponent scores 20-something instead of 40-something, even if the fluctuations in point totals indicate a different style of game.

Put simply, the Cyclones’ season is on the line. It’s homecoming weekend. And Texas eked out a close one last year in Austin. So let’s toast to change, and then give me the Cyclones in a close one, baby.

Iowa State 28, Texas 27

Luke Manderfeld (3-0, 1-0 vs. line) 

Here you go ISU fans, the Cyclones’ chance to grab one more win than last season’s team. 

And trust me, this one won’t be pretty. 

Texas is coming off a stellar defensive performance against Kansas State, only allowing 9 points and less than 250 yards of total offense. That shouldn’t sound good to Iowa State, which is now seeing a change at quarterback and offensive coordinator. 

Now-starting quarterback Joel Lanning even admitted Monday he was a little nervous heading into his date with the Longhorns. There won’t be any time for nerves against a perennial football powerhouse, Joel. 

While Iowa State is seeing a large change in the offense, I believe that it will bring a breath of fresh air to the team. Now that Todd Sturdy is calling the plays, and Lanning is primed for a successful first start, this will be a win for the Cyclones. 

Congratulations, it’ll be their eighth win in three seasons. Oof. 

Iowa State: 31 Texas: 24

Ryan Young

Well it sure has been an interesting week, hasn’t it?

Joel Lanning is now the team’s starting quarterback, and Mark Mangino is no longer the team’s offensive coordinator. While I’m not usually a fan of midseason changes like these, I think one of them will end up working out.

After watching Sam Richardson struggle to find offensive success these past few weeks, the change at quarterback seemed almost necessary — especially after watching Lanning play against Baylor. While we still need to see how Lanning does in his first start this weekend, I think he has what it takes to truly revive this offense and have some success.

But here’s the tough thing. The Cyclones now have a new offensive coordinator, and this move still has me on edge. While I don’t know all of the details surrounding Mangino’s departure, I do know that a coaching change of this magnitude halfway through the season is not usually a move that results in immediate success. Now, this isn’t to bash on the new offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy. He knows the offense well, and I’m sure can do a good job in his new role. But how Sturdy and the team takes this big of a change is what I think can cause problems out on the field.

It’ll be a close one Saturday, thanks to Lanning and a hopefully revived offense. But with all of the shuffling and changes happening this week, the Cyclones won’t be quite on the same page and will fall just short of a win.

Texas 28, Iowa State 27