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Big 12 Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Nov 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; The Big 12 logo on the chains during a game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. TCU won 62-22. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; The Big 12 logo on the chains during a game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. TCU won 62-22. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Mike Warren (2) is attended to by the training staff in the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Mike Warren (2) is attended to by the training staff in the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa State – Mike Warren’s comeback tour?

Mike Warren looked like a star for Iowa State in 2015. He broke out as a true freshman, sprinting for 1,339 yards on 227 carries. It looked like the team had all the makings of its top star to lead the offense after multiple disastrous seasons in Ames, IA.

However, 2016 proved to be the opposite as he played through injuries for most of the season. It led to just two 100-yard games, none of which came in the second half of the year. The last three in-game showings for the soon-to-be junior totaled 29 yards on 10 carries.

2017 should see a healthy Warren, though. He had 28 rushing yards on just four carries in the Cyclones’ spring game, looking like his former self. It’s an early, productive start for the Lawton, OK native, who may be asked to take on a bulk of the carries. There will be a battle for them with David Montgomery, who stepped up as the lead back with 563 yards in 2016. He had two 140 yard-plus outings in two of the final three games.

If Warren can get back to his freshman form, then Iowa State has the makings of a dynamic backfield. It could lead to them being more competitive in Big 12 competition, something this school has been without for a while.

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