Quarterback a question mark again at Iowa State

AMES - Unofficially, another Iowa State quarterback competition between Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett began brewing this week.

Why deem it unofficial?

Because the precise term “competition” is carefully avoided.

“I think we're going to practice through and see by the end of the week who we think has the best chance to lead our football team to victory versus Texas A & M,” Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads said Monday.

Rhoads said the same thing after Saturday's 52-17 loss at Missouri, but noted the offense's issues - it scored one fourth-quarter touchdown against the Tigers - extend beyond the man behind center.

“Absolutely there are other elements to it, but the quarterback is still the pivotal player on the field,” said Rhoads, whose team (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) hopes to end a three-game slide in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against the No. 17 Aggies (4-2, 2-1). “He touches the ball every snap. He's making decisions with the ball in his hand.

“But did we miss blocks to create second and 14? You bet we did. Did we run incorrect routes on third down to not allow the quarterback to throw the ball where he should to convert? Sure we did. But it's just the nature of that position that you're going to get the most credit or the most critique when things aren't going as proficiently as they need to be.”

Both Jantz and Barnett shun negative chatter and external doubt.

Both have taken their first snaps at the FBS level this season with mixed results.

And both remain friends, Jantz said, whether a “competition” rages or not.

“We have a good relationship,” said Jantz, who was replaced by Barnett in the fourth quarter at Columbia. “We don't let any of that outside stuff affect that.”

Jantz, a junior who continues to be hindered by a left foot injury sustained a month ago, entered the Missouri game having played nearly every snap of the season.

The transfer has completed 54.9 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but failed to reach the end zone Saturday and fumbled twice.

“I think he's going through the learning process of how game planning is changed and altered week to week based on what Division I programs on defense (do),” Rhoads said when asked about Jantz's midseason grade. “I'd like to get him back healthy to say, this is his quote, unquote grade of where I think he's at right now. But without him, we don't win those first three football games and we're going to need him down the stretch.”

Barnett, a redshirt freshman, led ISU on its only touchdown drive last weekend and totaled 49 yards passing and rushing.

He also threw an interception on his first career pass attempt and will gladly adopt a larger role if and when the coaches call for it.

“You've always got to be ready to play, regardless of whether you're a one, two, or three,” Barnett said.

And who's the one this week likely won't be revealed until kickoff.

“I feel like were really similar,” Barnett said. “We're both calm. “We're not too anxious about the game. We're just ready. We both prepare ourselves in a similar way - watching video and making sure were ready for practice.”

More dog days

 Rhoads kicked off his comments Monday by noting that, if the oddsmakers were right, his team would be 1-5.

“We're not,” he said. “We're a 3-3 football team.”

And projected by the professional predictors to fall to 3-4.

As of Monday afternoon, the Cyclones were 20 1/2-point underdogs for Saturday's 2:30 homecoming game against 17th-ranked Texas A & M.

“We're used to being counted out and stuff like that,” heavily banged-up ISU linebacker Jake Knott said after Saturday's loss. “So I think we're going to come back with a strong week, which we need to, and get after it.”

Injury update

 Rhoads reiterated Monday that starting running Shontrelle Johnson would likely miss the rest of the season with a neck injury. When asked if that injury could affect Johnson beyond this season, Rhoads said: “Potentially, but those are all answers that even the medical staff can't provide at this point.”

Moving target

 Big-play wide receiver Darious Reynolds (18.6 yards per catch) managed one early jump-ball 26-yard reception against Missouri, but nothing after that. The Cyclones' leading receiver (28 grabs) wasn't targeted much either, which Rhoads said had little to do with the crispness of his route running.

“I don't know if that's as much Darius as it is the effectiveness of our offense and the play-calling of our offense and working hard to get him the ball,” Rhoads said. “There were a couple other passes he would have had an opportunity to catch if certain things had gone right on those plays.”

TV time

Iowa State announced Monday that the Oct. 29 game at Texas Tech will kickoff at 6 p.m. and be televised by Fox Sports Net.