The Iowa State football team leaves Saturday for the December 27th Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana but the Cyclones don’t need to head south for some quality practice time. Coach Dan McCarney says his team has used the non-December like weather to get in some good practice time for their matchup with Alabama. He says they’ve been right in Jack Trice Stadium for all their practices. McCarney says it’s unusual to be able to practice outdoors so often at this time of year. McCarney says the ability to practice outside has helped in their preparation, as he says it’s hard to work on some things indoors.Wide receiver Craig Campbell feels the mild weather has given the Cyclones a good start on preparation. He says last year they had to practice inside and the field is smaller and limits what they can do.