Cyclone Alert: An Iowa State Podcast

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen react to Iowa State's first signature win under head coach Jimmy Rogers.

Behind a game-winning 34-yard field goal from Kyle Konrardy and starring performances from Jaylen Raynor, Aiden Flora and Jamal Polite Jr., Iowa State defeated Eric Morris and the Cowboys in a win Jimmy Rogers said his team needed.

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse is joined by Christian Odjakjian to preview the 2026-27 Big 12 basketball season, including an early preview of Iowa State's roster and why the Cyclones could be a great riser this season.

Later in the episode, the duo highlights the Big 12 teams that have the most upside to win the conference title and potentially advance to the Final Four. Finally, the duo highlights teams with lower expectations that could contend for an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Time Stamps

INTRODUCTION: 0:00-1:00

IOWA STATE CONVERSATION: 1:00-15:07

BIG 12 TALK: 15:07-37:03

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse previews Iowa State's home football game vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State with Ben Hutchens, an Oklahoma State beat writer. Later in the show, Alec does his local preview of Iowa State's side of the matchup.

With Henry Annen out sick, Alec flies solo on his preview of the Cyclones, answering three big questions, including topics on the quarterback, defense and Iowa State's mentality in the later parts of the show. He also provides a pick to click on offense and defense.

In the interview with Hutchens, the tandem discusses the high-powered Cowboy passing attack led by play-calling head coach Eric Morris, standout quarterback Drew Mestemaker and standout receivers Wyatt Young and Justin Bowick.

TIME STAMPS

• Introduction: 0:00-3:00
• Ben Hutchens: 3:00-26:04
• Iowa State Preview: 26:04 - 45:13

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse recaps and provides top takeaways from Iowa State's 39-3 loss to No. 25 Arizona on Saturday, and the impact of Jimmy Rogers changing quarterbacks from Jaylen Raynor to Connor Moberly.

Later in the show, Alec highlights the shortcomings of Iowa State's defense after the bye week. The Cyclones rank No. 15 in the Big 12 in tackles for loss and No. 16 in the Big 12 in sacks.

In the second half of the show, Alec recaps Iowa State's convincing win over Northwestern in Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday. The Cyclones used a different starting lineup in their second exhibition showing and Tamin Lipsey returned to the lineup, which provided stability for T.J. Otzelberger's backcourt.

TIME STAMPS

0:00-3:54: Introduction

3:55-18:29: Recapping Iowa State at Arizona

18:30-3433: Cyclone basketball hammers Northwestern

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen react to Iowa State's three-point loss to Creighton on Sunday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum.

The Bluejays defeated Iowa State 83-80 with a strong 3-point shooting performance from a group of Creighton guards, including Austin Swartz. Iowa State won the points-off-turnovers and second-chance points battle on Sunday, but a poor 3-point shooting performance from the Cyclones was too much to overcome while Creighton connected on 14-29 shots from 3-point distance.

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen talk about the top headlines in Iowa State Athletics leading into the weekend before focusing on the first half of Iowa State's football schedule and what Jimmy Rogers' team put on tape before transitioning to focus on the upcoming six games that could determine the overall definition of the 2026 Cyclones.

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen talk for an hour about Iowa State basketball's preseason media day in Ames with takeaways from what head coach T.J. Otzelberer and numerous players said on the record.

The conversation starts with a focus on the Tamin Lipsey eligibility situation and how Iowa State is approaching that process -- both good and bad. Later, that topic is expanded upon with how Lipsey's return to Iowa State will help this team be one of the best of the Otzelberger era, but a transfer is the real difference-maker on that end, in the mind of Alec.

The show ends with a look ahead at some of the most interesting moments on Iowa State's schedule this upcoming season.

Cyclone Alert previews Iowa State's road football game at BYU on Friday night by talking with KSL's Mitch Harper to learn more about the Cougars and their side of Friday's game. Later in the show, Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen preview Iowa State's side of the matchhup.

Harper is able shine isight on the injuries to key BYU playmakers on offense and defense and explains how the Cougars will adapt with star running back LJ Martin and LB Isaiah Glasker.

Alec and Henry perform their weekly three big questions before explaining their picks to click and their weekend predictions.

TIME STAMPS

0:00 — 2:03: INTRODUCTION

2:03 — 29:20: BYU Preview with Mitch Harper

29:20 — 1:01:05: Iowa State Preview, picks to click, predictions 

Cyclone Alert speaks with CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah for his national opinion on Iowa State's 3-2 start to the season under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers and what to make of what could come in the short and long term of the Rogers era.

Later in the conversation, Cyclone Alert focuses on the Big 12's best teams (BYU, Utah and Texas Tech), the Big 12 head coaches on the hot seat and the team that could surprisingly contend for a spot in the conference's championship game.

TIME STAMPS:

Introduction: 0:00 — 3:53

Shehan Jeyarajah Interview — 3:54 — 38:11

Outro: 38:12 — 41:41

Cyclone Alert's Alec Busse and Henry Annen react to Iowa State's 45-42 victory on Saturday vs. West Virginia, improving the Cyclones to 3-2 and 1-1 in Big 12 play.

Running back Aiden Flora had an all-time performance in the win posting 200 rushing yards and five total touchdowns (three rushing, two passing). Cyclone defensive backs Beni Ngoyi and Seth Johnson teamed up to force and recover a game-winning fumble on West Virginia’s final possession.