Oct 26, 2026 · 1h 3m
Iowa State confronts a football rebuild as basketball gains momentum
Williams & Blum: What's the fix for Cyclone Football? Plus, Northwestern Takeaways
The episode weighs how much Iowa State’s football struggles reflect quarterback play versus deeper roster and program-building problems, while basketball offers a more encouraging early signal.
- 1Iowa State’s football problems extend beyond quarterback play to injuries, thin depth, missing playmakers, and an unclear offensive identity.
- 2Jimmy Rogers merits time, but the rebuild requires substantial roster investment, player retention, and meaningful transfer additions.
- 3Basketball’s exhibition win showcased improved size, rebounding, defensive pressure, and a larger leadership burden for Tamin Lipsey.
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The hosts argue that Conor Moberly deserves a full week of preparation and meaningful playing time, while acknowledging that Iowa State’s problems run far beyond quarterback.
The brief
Chris Williams, Brent Blum, and Jake Brend dissect Iowa State’s blowout loss to Arizona, asking whether a quarterback change can matter when blocking, playmakers, depth, and offensive identity remain unresolved.
The case for Conor Moberly is also a case for evaluation: the hosts want him to receive a full week of preparation before Iowa State enters the offseason roster decisions.
Jimmy Rogers receives a longer runway, but not a free pass; the discussion ties his rebuild to funding, retaining impact players, and adding roughly 12 to 15 important newcomers.
Basketball supplies the episode’s clearest lift, with a dominant Northwestern exhibition revealing better size, rebounding, ball movement, and defensive pressure modeled against teams such as Houston.
Tamin Lipsey emerges as the basketball hinge: he must organize the offense, connect new teammates, and become more assertive when Iowa State needs him to take over.
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