The week starts a hell of a lot easier after you realize, hey, maybe we don't suck.

To start out, ISU-Kansas has been picked for ABC at 2:30 p.m.. Our last two games really excite me. There's no reason we can't win over a Colorado team that was handled pretty easily by Kansas State and does not have a North win this year. I honestly think that we could win by two possessions if things break right.

As far as Kansas, we'll get a better read on them against Oklahoma State in a game that shouldn't be a cakewalk. I also fully expect Iowa State to give them a decent challenge.

Chris Singleton has been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his two-pick, one-touchdown game on Saturday. He joins Bret Culbertson as ISU's two Big 12 award winners this year. I've always been on Singleton for having talent but not being able to tackle or make plays. It really looks like he's starting to thrive in Bolt's system.

Other fun stuff from the Big 12's weekly release:

    Iowa State can still finish ahead of Nebraska in the North. Heh.

    ISU is 8th in average home attendance, ahead of Kansas State, Kansas (!), Oklahoma State and Baylor.

    Chris Singleton is tied for second in the Big 12 with four interceptions.

    Alvin Bowen is 8th in the conference in tackles with 85. Failure.

    Kurtis Taylor is 2nd in the Big 12 with 6.5 sacks.

Scoring Offense: 12th
Rushing Offense: 10th
Pass Offense: 11th
Total Offense: 12th
Scoring Defense: 10th
Rushing Defense: 7th
Pass Defense: 6th
Total Defense: 6th

I wonder where our issues lie?

McDermott thinks that both Rahshon Clark and Jiri Hubalek will be ready for the Cyclone Challenge on Friday.

How do you close out a team? The ISU women did it with a 42-2 run yesterday against Iowa Wesleyan in a 101-38 exhibition win. Yeesh.

This week's BlogPoll ballot. Criticisms and general....well, you know.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio State	--
2	Oregon	1
3	Oklahoma	1
4	Missouri	4
5	LSU	--
6	Kansas	3
7	West Virginia	--
8	Boston College	6
9	Virginia Tech	1
10	Arizona State	4
11	Georgia	1
12	Southern Cal	1
13	Florida	2
14	Alabama	1
15	Michigan	1
16	Connecticut	--
17	Auburn	2
18	Texas	1
19	Hawaii	1
20	Tennessee	2
21	Clemson	3
22	Virginia	4
23	Kentucky	3
24	California	2
25	Penn State	1