Big 12 Power Rankings: Upsets, Quarterbacks Shake Up The Rankings

August 31, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Levi Peters (35) is stiff armed by Northern Iowa Panthers wide receiver Logan Cunningham (16) in the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. Northern Iowa beat Iowa State 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA Today Sports

9. Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 0-1

Previous Rank: 9 (Trend: -)

Last Week: Lost to Northern Iowa, 28-20

This Week: Bye

Next Week: vs. Iowa

There was concern about the Cyclones defense heading into the season because of the lack of experience. A 199-yard rushing day Northern Iowa’s David Johnson suggests those concerns are very real.

Johnson totaled four touchdowns in UNI’s win over ISU, a game in which the Cyclones never had the lead. The offense’s inability to finish off drives proved to be just as much of a concern as the defense’s inability to stop Johnson.

If there is one thing the Big 12 has a lot of this season it is speed out of the back field. Even Kansas has a ton of speed at running back. ISU has to get it’s front seven in order if they are going to avoid the cellar of the Big 12. And given what ISU has accomplished the last few years, that would be a significant step back.