ISU making changes in defensive lineup

AMES - Coaches are hoping a lineup change in the front four will help Iowa State's slumping defense.

Jacob Lattimer will start in place of Patrick Neal at one end spot for Saturday's 11 a.m. game at No. 22 Texas. Lattimer, a converted linebacker, has earned the promotion with his play in games and during practice.

“Jake has really started to show up these last two or three weeks and is making more plays,” Coach Paul Rhoads said.

What does ISU (3-4, 1-2 Big 12) have to lose? It ranks 112th of 120 FBS teams in total defense (455.3 ypg), 114th in rush defense and 112th in sacks.

There may be a new face on the other side of the defensive line with senior Rashawn Parker nursing a knee injury. Rhoads said Parker could be available but won't be at full strength.

Sophomore Roosevelt Maggitt will see significant playing time, regardless of Parker's health.

“He is as productive of a defensive end as we have had,” Rhoads said. “He hasn't played as much as those guys so the more you play, the more that can even out a little bit. I think that Rosie's opportunities will grow also in the next five games.”

Maggitt leads ISU defensive ends with 20 tackles. He's also forced a pair of fumbles.

Playing through pain

All signs pointed to Alexander Robinson's missing last week's game at Oklahoma with an injured foot (which required a boot) and a sore ankle.

The tailback ended up starting against OU, carrying the ball seven times for 39 yards before being taken out in the second half when the foot started to hurt. Robinson played hurt most of last season, too, and still rushed for 1,195 yards.

“The nicks and bruises come and they go,” Robinson said. “I'm going to play regardless.”

On the mend

Also on the injury front, linebacker Matt Tau'fo'ou was expected to do some running this week as he recovers from a broken leg bone.

Tau'fo'ou has been out since the first quarter of a loss at Iowa. His return would bolster a depth-challenged linebacking core.

“He might get some individual drill work and next week we are hoping to have him back on the practice field,” Rhoads said.

Schedule change

With the Big 12's realignment taking effect next season, this will be the last time ISU has the unfortunate task of playing Texas and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks.

They will, however, be playing both teams every year from now on. In the past, the Cyclones would get a two-year break from facing the South Division powers under the current rotation. With the new nine-game, round-robin conference schedule every team plays one another.

ISU hasn't beaten OU since 1990 and is 0-7 against Texas. Six of those losses have come as members of the Big 12.

The Cyclones' 2011 conference schedule is: Texas, at Baylor, at Missouri, Texas A&M, at Texas Tech, Kansas, at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and at Kansas State.

Road games become home games (and vice versa) the following year.