The Mid-Morning Dump - 8/4/15

Iowa State Football

SLIM PICKINGS. Paul Rhoads has offered Missouri City (TX) OG Darta Lee, who now has 19 of them, including six from Big 12 programs.

ALWAYS NINTH. Nine different sets of preseason college football ratings project the Cyclones ninth in the Big 12 (you can check out other top-25 and conference predictions here, too).

Iowa State Basketball

MORRIS KEY TO RECRUITING. Uncle Randy looks at how Monté may affect Iowa State's future at point guard.

AND X WILL PROBABLY GIVE IT TO US. Iowa State is now the frontrunner for Lima (OH) PG Xavier Simpson, 75th overall in the Class of 2016. He also delayed his official visit to Purdue. Also this.

Seattle Mariners

COORS FIELD FUN. The M's beat the Rockies 8-7 after a four-run first inning. Now 6.0 games behind the Twins for the second AL Wild Card.

Around The Country

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Chad Ochocinco issued a FIFA 15 challenge on Twitter, took an Uber to a guy's house and lost.

PEAK FAN INVOLVEMENT. The CSKA Sofia faithful didn't much appreciate this dirty tackle, so they took matters into their own hands.

KEEP THE NFL IN ST. LOUIS! A judge ruled the city needs no voter approval before spending a shit ton of money on a new riverfront stadium for the Rams.

"HE LOVED EVERYONE." A Liberal (KS) Bee Jays batboy was struck and killed by a player in a freak accident.

REAL FEEL-GOOD STORY. Adidas has made a bid to sign a luckless and downtrodden James Harden for $200 million.

REPAIRING HIS IMAGE. The Minnesota Vikings used Adrian Peterson to promote Family Day.

ONCE A MARINER, ALWAYS A MARINER!. Adrian Beltre hit for his third career cycle... in five innings.