Iowa State

The running backs give Roehl different ways to create favorable matchups. Rogers highlighted holdover Aiden Flora and Bowling Green transfer Cameron Pettaway for their explosiveness and receiving flexibility, including the ability to align outside against linebackers or safeties. That versatility became more important after Oregon State transfer Salahadin Allah tore an Achilles and was ruled out for the season. Tulane transfer Arnold Barnes later joined the room, but the distribution of carries among Flora, Pettaway, Barnes and the younger backs remains a fall question rather than a settled hierarchy.

Tight end can help bridge the offense’s strengths and its largest concern. Roehl praised former defensive lineman Vince Benetti’s move to the position, while Keaton Roskop is the key returning scholarship presence identified during spring work. Their size and formation flexibility could add protection, disguise intentions and support play-action. The greater burden falls on an offensive line Rob Gray described as entirely rebuilt and still developing after spring. Until that group establishes cohesion, every attractive skill-position possibility comes with a practical limit.

Bobbit faces a similar construction project on defense, where the spring showcase confirmed a shift to a four-man front. Tackles Bryson Lamb and Zaimir Hawk repeatedly reset the line of scrimmage during spring work, according to Bobbit, offering the unit a possible interior foundation. Edge Isaac “Bobby” Terrell was held out of the showcase with what was described as a minor tweak, yet he joined Raynor, Flora, David Coffey and Kyle Konrardy among Iowa State’s representatives at Big 12 media day. That group forms the most visible leadership spine of Rogers’ first team.

Linebacker Tristan Exline embodies both the opportunity and the risk in Iowa State’s transfer-heavy rebuild. The Division II transfer flashed in the showcase after Bobbit saw his mental processing begin to match the speed and explosiveness on his previous tape. If that improvement survives the jump in competition, Exline could provide range and pressure ability behind the new front. In the secondary, Coffey supplies scarce program continuity after remaining through the coaching change and could become an important communication anchor as Bobbit integrates new faces.

Konrardy gives the Cyclones something few rebuilding teams can take for granted: demonstrated long-range kicking. He decided each of the previous two Cy-Hawk games with a 54-yard field goal. That history does not guarantee another rivalry moment, but it can shape fourth-down decisions and provide leverage in low-possession games. His value should become apparent quickly because Iowa State visits Iowa at night in Week 2, an immediate examination of composure for a roster and staff still learning one another.

The opener against Southeast Missouri State and the home game against Bowling Green surround that trip to Iowa, creating a short runway before conference play. Utah and West Virginia then visit Jack Trice Stadium before the Cyclones travel to BYU and reach a bye. Those early home dates carry extra weight because the second half includes trips to Arizona, Baylor and UCF, while Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Kansas State come to Ames. The schedule offers opportunities, but it does not offer much room for a slow installation.

Rogers used a reported last-place USA Today Big 12 projection as motivation at media day, an understandable message for a team remade so extensively. Iowa State’s response will depend less on preseason placement than on whether its most important pieces fit together: Raynor connecting with new targets, versatile backs easing the load, the offensive line protecting the design, and Lamb, Hawk, Exline and Coffey organizing Bobbit’s defense. The Cyclones have useful building blocks. Rogers’ first test is making them function as one team before September turns unforgiving.

Win probability

88%