The Wiz of Odds

Men of Steele

Saturday's Iowa-Iowa State game was arguably the best of the day. Here's an image of Cyclone students streaming onto the field from high atop Jack Trice Stadium after Iowa State's 44-41 victory in three overtimes. In Ames, they're saying Cyclone quarterback Steele Jantz is the second coming of Seneca Wallace. Jantz will get national airtime Friday when the team plays at Connecticut.

Iowa State

Nothing easy about Iowa State's schedule. The Cyclones open against Division I-AA Northern Iowa, then begin a brutal stretch with games against Iowa, at Connecticut, Texas, at Baylor, at Missouri, Texas A&M and at Texas Tech. Hard to believe, but Texas is the only non-bowl team in that group. Of course, Iowa State stunned the Longhorns, 28-21, last season, and they came within a whisker of beating Nebraska for the second year in a row. Paul Rhoads' teams always seem to spring an upset or two along the way.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Mary. The video posted below was produced by Old Hat Creative.

Former Iowa State Player Is New Face of Ken Doll

It's doubtful that Kurtis Taylor was ever called a "doll" while playing on the defensive line at Iowa State, but he will be hearing that frequently from now on.

Toymaker Mattel, which manufactures Barbie and Ken dolls, recently held a digital reality contest to remake Ken's look. The eight-part series, called "Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend," was part of a campaign to bolster the awareness of Ken's 50th birthday (Barbie recently turned 52).

Taylor was the winner, and the redesigned Ken doll will resemble the 25-year-old native of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The Fall and Rise of Gene Chizik

Is Gene Chizik an exceptional coach or the luckiest man in the world?

It's nearly impossible to argue with success and today the second-year Auburn coach sits atop the college football world after his Tigers won the Bowl Championship Series title.

But only 758 days ago, Chizik was not held in such high regard. He was coach at Iowa State and had a two-year record of 5-19. His teams were undisciplined and the coaching staff disorganized. Against Kansas in 2008, the Cyclones blew a 20-0 halftime lead, a season in which the team failed to win a Big 12 game.

Iowa State Cheap Shot

Iowa State linebacker A.J. Klein tries to rip the helmet off Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead during Saturday's game in Ames. An official throws a flag, then after huddling with other officials, a personal foul is called on Cornhusker fullback Tyler Legate. Go figure. Thanks to Better Off Red.

Another Cyclone Celebration

No one thought Iowa State would give Texas much of a tussle. The Cyclones entered Saturday's game at Austin having been outscored, 120-27, in their two previous games.

But the Cyclones did the unthinkable by stunning the Longhorns, 28-21. The victory set off a wild celebration in the locker room that was highlighted by an emotional speech from coach Paul Rhoads.

If this looks familiar, you're right. A year ago Iowa State stunned Nebraska, 9-7 in Lincoln, and Rhoads was at his best while celebrating with his players.

Upon their return Saturday night to Ames, the Cyclones were greeted by about 2,000 fans. "If you saw the look on our players faces when they walked among you here tonight, you would have a full appreciation for how much they appreciate your support," Rhoads said.