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2009 College Football Odds: Gene Chizek's stint at Iowa State was short, but nothing close to sweet. Surprisingly, Auburn hired Chizek after he went just 5-19 in two seasons at Ames and finished last place in the Big 12 North division both years. Iowa State, in an odd twist, decided on former Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads to take Chizek's place. Although optimism is not overflowing, Cyclone fans are expecting Rhoads to field a better team than last year's 2-10 squad. BetUS.com has Iowa State listed as a +9000 long shot to win the Big 12 Conference in their Iowa State Cyclones 2009 College Football Odds.

Rhoads, despite the Cyclones 0-8 conference finish a season ago, does have some talent with which to work, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Granted, the players will be learning a new system, but most of the offensive line returns as does starting quarterback Austen Arnaud and leading rusher Alexander Robinson.

Arnaud threw for 2792 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore while rushing for 401 (five touchdowns). He will have six of last year's top seven receivers to throw the ball to, and, in addition to Robinson, will have Florida transfer Bo Williams in the backfield.

The unit, which managed to average 25.3 points and 387 yards per game last season, should see an increase in production across the board.

Defensively the Cyclones were a mess last year, giving up 35.8 points and 453 yards per contest. They were poor against the run as well as the pass, and produced a paltry 17 sacks on the season. Rhoads, who oversaw a tough defense at Auburn, should help bring some of those numbers down.

Aiding Rhoads in his task is the fact that six starters return, including the team's leading tackler from '08, linebacker Jessie Smith. Also back is defensive end Christopher Lyle. Lyle led the team in sacks last year with five and he also led the the line in tackles with 38.

The secondary, while horrendous in last year's dismal campaign, should benefit from having three upper classmen in the starting unit.

The Cyclones, with the exception of a game against Iowa, have a cupcake non-conference schedule. They open the season on September 3rd with a home game versus North Dakota State, which should be a tune up for their showdown with the Hawkeyes in Ames on the 12th. The 'Clones first conference game will take place on October 3rd when they meet Kansas State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

BetUS.com Iowa State Cyclones 2009 College Football Odds - BCS Odds 2010

Iowa State Cyclones Odds to Win the Big 12 Conference:

+9000

Iowa State Cyclones Odds to Win the Big 12 North Division:

+2500

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