Midway through the 2002 season, the Iowa State Cyclones reached their peak under head coach Dan McCarney. On the heels of a 7-5 straight up and 8-3 against the spread bowl season from 2001, ISU bolted out to a 6-1 straight up and 6-0 against the spread start to 2002. And then the roof fell in as they went 1-6 both straight up and against the spread the rest of the way.
| Straight up | 7-5 overall, 4-4 conference, 2nd Big 12 North
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| Against the spread | 6-5 (4-1 home, 2-4 away, 6-1 grass)
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| Over/Under | 7-3-1 (3-2 home, 4-1-1 away, 4-3 grass)
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| Offensive Rank | 89th
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| Defensive Rank | 43rd
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| Turnover Margin | +1.17 per game |
Rock bottom
The Cyclones continued to collapse through 2003 as they finished 2-10 straight up and 1-10 against the spread as they gushed red ink with a string of 16 losses in 18 games against the sportsbooks. While McCarney had produced back-to-back bowl seasons in 2001-2002 the fans had quickly forgotten about that and were screaming for his head. When ISU started off 2004 with a mark of 2-4 straight up McCarney had reached rock bottom.
Springboard back
Iowa State stopped the bleeding in 2004 with a stirring 26-25 comeback win at Baylor. At the time, it seemed like a small win between two “also-rans” but it turned out to be a springboard back to respectability for Iowa State, who went on to rally with three straight wins and covers to set up the opportunity to clinch the Big 12 North Division title at home in a game against Missouri.
Masses were asses again
The entire world jumped all over Iowa State as did many tout services as their beating a Missouri team that was out of bowl contention was a forgone conclusion. Problem is, the entire world went off the cliff as Mizzou prevailed 14-17 as 4.5-point dogs as the masses were asses yet again. Iowa State did win and cover their bowl game, however, and looked primed for contention in the Big 12 North for 2005.
Statement maker as bargain
Iowa State opened 2005 with a rather weak 32-21 home win over 1-AA competition. They may have been peaking ahead to their next game against intrastate rival Iowa. The Cyclones were 9.5-point home dogs but scored a 23-3 “upset” win in dominating fashion. This statement maker as a bargain blew Iowa State’s cover, as they would not be sneaking up on either opponents or the sportsbooks the rest of the way.
Value was depleted
In their next game at Army on Friday Night ESPN TV the Cyclones escaped with a 28-21 win as 17-point chalks, as they were obviously suffering from a Hawkeye hangover. Further proof that their value was depleted occurred in their next game at Nebraska where the Cyclones lost 20-27 as 4.5-point dogs. Iowa State suffered their second consecutive loss when they dropped a 13-23 decision to Baylor as 7.5-point chalks.
Rebound from the depths
In their next game at Missouri as 6.5-point dogs, the Cyclones suffered a potentially catastrophic 24-27 heartbreaking loss in which they gave away a victory that seemed firmly in hand. ISU now stood at 3-3 straight up and 2-3 against the spread and on a three game straight up losing streak. Incredibly enough, however, McCarney was able to lead an incredible turnaround in which the Cyclones would rebound from the depths of the Missouri disaster. At home against Oklahoma State as a 13-point chalk, ISU prevailed 37-10 to begin their climb back into contention.
A shocker of an upset
At Texas A&M as an 11.5-point dog, Iowa State scored a shocker of an upset as they blew the Aggies off their home field 42-14. They next blew apart Kansas State 45-17 as 7.5-point home chalks. As a 1.5-point home dog against Colorado in a game they needed to maintain any hope of a division title the Cyclones scored an impressive 30-16 win and cover. Colorado went on to lose to Nebraska, which meant that if ISU could win at Kansas they would take the North Division crown.
Déjà vu all over again
As a 3-point chalk at Kansas, it was déjà vu all over again as the Cyclones suffered a cruel 21-24 loss to blow the division title for the second straight year. They had little left for their bowl, a 24-27 loss to TCU as 2-point dogs to finish with two straight losses against the sportsbooks.