ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

This isn't the best season to be breaking in a new secondary in the Big 12.

Iowa State coach Gene Chizik, who made his reputation as a defensive wizard at places like Texas and Auburn, is facing that very difficult season with the Cyclones.

ISU has started cornerbacks Leonard Johnson and Ter'ran Benton at times this season. Both are heavily involved in the playing rotation. But this is no time to be breaking in new players in the Big 12.

Check out these pass defense statistics that the Cyclones have produced against Kansas, Baylor, Nebraska and Texas A&M in their last four games:

Put together that four-quarterback combination of teams that the Cyclones have faced so far this season (see chart) and judge their pass-efficiency numbers. Their statistics over four games would rank second in the nation in pass efficiency, trailing only national leader David Johnson of Tulsa.

And remember that none of those quarterbacks that Iowa State has faced in conference play has ranked higher than sixth in the Big 12 in pass efficiency.

So, we could only imagine the struggle that ISU would have if it was facing the heavy concentration of top Big 12 quarterbacks that it has missed so far this season.

It won't be surprising to see Iowa State struggle even more as the season progresses. The Cyclones will face Okl
ahoma State's Zac Robinson this week, who ranks fourth nationally in pass efficiency. They also will meet Chase Daniel of Missouri, who ranks fifth nationally.

And it could be a lot worse. The Cyclones miss Colt McCoy of Texas and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, who are second and third nationally behind Johnson.

Chizik's patience will be tested more during the final four weeks of the season. But he is committed to remaining upbeat as his young team learns as it goes.

"You can't beat them up," Chizik said. "We've got great kids who love the game. We've got to back [the players] and just be positive with them. We're going to pick them up and we'll go back to work on Tuesday. We'll be very positive, march on and have another game this week."