A little over a year ago, the Iowa State football team was struggling after a 4-8 season in 2022. They began the 2023 season with two losses in their first three games, including a tough 10-7 loss to Ohio. Coach Matt Campbell even had to be restrained from confronting a heckling fan. However, fast forward fourteen months, and the Cyclones are in a much better position.
After a strong finish to the 2023 season, winning five of their last seven games, Iowa State has continued their success into the 2024 season. Despite being picked to finish sixth in the league, they are now one of only two undefeated teams in the Big 12 and are ranked No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. With five games left in the regular season, the Cyclones are aiming for lofty goals, including a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
With an undefeated record in a Power Four conference, Iowa State has a real chance at making the College Football Playoff. The expanded 12-team playoff format provides a clearer path for teams like the Cyclones. Winning the conference championship would secure their spot in the playoff, and with a relatively manageable schedule ahead, including games against teams with records no better than 5-3, their chances are looking good.
The Cyclones’ toughest challenge will come in their regular-season finale against No. 15 Kansas State, but even a loss there may not derail their playoff hopes. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives them a 7.8% chance of winning out, and a 44.7% chance of making the playoff. The Big 12’s tiebreaker rules could also come into play, determining which teams advance to the conference title game in case of ties in the standings.
As the season progresses, Iowa State’s fate will be shaped by their performance on the field and how they stack up against their conference rivals. With the potential to make history by earning a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever, the Cyclones are on a path to achieving greatness in the world of college football.
