Iowa State will be heavily favored when the Cyclones open on Saturday night at home when they take on Illinois State. Cyclone coach Dan McCarney says he is not looking at the Redbirds’ status as a one-double-A program, he’s too busy studying film. He says Illinois State put up 480 yards on Minnesota in the Metrodome last year and the game was 20-14 at halftime before Minnesota won. McCarney says that tells them they’d better be ready to play. McCarney says too many times, one-double-a teams are taken too lightly and that’s when upsets occur. He says that happens when teams aren’t focused and think they can just take the field and win.McCarney says all the focus has been on preparation for Illinois State, as he says they haven’t spent any time on Iowa, Army or any of the other upcoming games.After returning to the team this summer, Jason Berryman will get the start at defensive end. McCarney says he has looked good in practice after taking time to get into football shape. Every team has question marks heading into the season but McCarney says he has confidence in what the Cyclones can accomplish. He says he has more guys who respond to coaching, who won’t beat themselves. He says they’re team oriented and dedicated to winning.
