Iowa State could be headed back to a bowl game next season if one preview magazine is right. Phil Steele’s “College Football Preview” lists the Cyclones as one of the most improved teams for the upcoming season after a disappointing 2-10 record in 2003 and Steele predicts coach Dan McCarney’s team will rebound. He says they were very inconsistent at quarterback last year, and that should be better this year.Steele has the Cyclones tabbed for fourth in the Big-12 north. He says Nebraska is rebuilding, and Colorado is rebuilding. Former Nebraska offensive coordinator Barney Cotton is now at I-S-U, and Steele says he’ll likely have a few wrinkles for the Huskers.Steele expects the Cyclones to finish ahead of Nebraska and Kansas and one of the major reasons is who they don’t play from the south division, as they had to play Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech, an easier schedule. Steele says with the addition of Cotton to the coaching staff the Cyclones should find a ground game they lost the past couple of seasons.The Cyclones open the season at home September fourth against UNI.
