The Iowa State football team opens spring drills in Ames this afternoon. The Cyclones are coming off their second straight bowl season in which they finished 7-5, including a loss to Alabama in the Independence Bowl. The Cyclones will need to replace some key veterans from the offensive line but coach Dan McCarney says they were in a similar situation last season after going to a bowl game, but came back with a good offense.The defense is experienced and McCarney says big things are expected from that unit. He says they finished the last three games of the year on a strong note and they hope that carries over.McCarney says for the most part the Cyclones came out of last season healthy.Next season will be a challenge for the Cyclones who will open a 13-game schedule against national power Florida State.