The current state of Iowa State football presents a study in conflicting trends across the Cyclones’ depth chart, suggesting a foundational challenge for the program. The offense, while uneven, exhibits pockets of upward mobility. The wide receiver corps is undeniably trending positively, developing into a reliable unit. This ascent is supported by the running back position, which is generally trending up, despite the evaluation difficulty posed by injury concerns like the one affecting Cartwright. However, the optimism is tempered by key positions: the quarterback spot is trending slightly downward, and while the offensive line remains neutral, the tight ends are trending down due to reduced utilization, diminishing one of Matt Campbell’s system’s traditional strengths. In stark contrast, the defensive side is facing a uniform decline. The defensive line, linebackers, and the secondary are all trending negatively. This broad regression is directly linked to performance issues and a flurry of injuries across all three groups, where replacement players have not effectively stepped up. This critical issue suggests that the defensive foundation, historically a strong point in Big 12 analysis, is eroding. Overall, while the Cyclones offense breakdown shows potential through skill positions, the downward trajectory of the defense creates a significant hurdle for the team’s ability to compete consistently moving forward.