With four-year starter Bret Meyer out of the picture after exhausting his eligibility, second-year coach Gene Chizik will get to pick his own quarterback at Iowa State.

Spring drills offered a platform for both Austen Arnaud, who rotated with Meyer last season, and Phillip Bates, who moved to receiver just so Iowa State could get him on the field in 2007.

Since Chizik wasn't opposed to splitting time between two quarterbacks last season, it's conceivable for Arnaud and Bates to share duties. In addition, freshman recruit Jerome Tiller will receive reps when he arrives for fall camp.

Although the opening at quarterback is the most high-profile position battle for the Cyclones, other needs exist after they finished just 3-9 overall and tied with Nebraska for fifth in the Big 12 North at 2-6.

What gives the Cyclones optimism is both of those conference wins, against Kansas State and Colorado, came in November. That was an indicator the team was progressing in its first season under Chizik, who came to Iowa State after serving as co-defensive coordinator at Texas.

In addition to Meyer, the Cyclones lost two other standouts, wide receiver Todd Blythe and linebacker Alvin Bowen. Meyer finished as the top passer, and Blythe as the top receiver in school history, while Bowen led the nation in tackles in 2006.

If the quarterback spot can be ironed out, the Cyclones have a budding star in running back Alexander Robinson, who rushed for 391 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games.

Defensively, Iowa State figured to make strides under Chizik and did. It climbed to 65th nationally in total defense, a marked improvement over 2006, when the Cyclones ranked 102nd nationally.

The main objective during spring practice will be to continue building. Any overhaul Chizik attempts has only just begun, though the Cyclones can at least take comfort that Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech are no longer in the mix after a change in crossover scheduling with the South Division.

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