Iowa State’s path to the College Football Playoff thrown into a cloudy puddle of water

After second straight loss, the Cyclones will need to win out and get some help to make the Big 12 title game

Jayden Higgins works for yards against Kansas on Saturday during a loss by Iowa State. / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Just a few short weeks ago, the Iowa State football team was coming off a thrilling victory over UCF that kept them unbeaten and in a prime position to reach the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

Now, after back-to-back losses against Texas Tech and Kansas, the Cyclones will need to run the table and receive a little luck just to reach the Big 12 Conference title game.

BYU, who remained unbeaten with a come-from-behind win over Utah, and Colorado are now in the driver’s seat to meet in December for the league championship and berth in the CFP. The Cougars remain the lone unbeaten in the conference while the Buffaloes are the only 1-loss team in league play.

Meanwhile, Iowa State is now tied with Kansas State and West Virginia with two defeats, with Arizona State joining them after holding off UCF.

Texas Tech, Baylor, Cincinnati, Houston and TCU all sit with three losses within the conference. 

The Cyclones finish out the regular season over the next three weeks at home to play Cincinnati, at Utah and back home vs. Kansas State. 

Here are the up-to-the-minute Big 12 standings: 

• BYU (6-0)
• Colorado (5-1)
• Iowa State (4-2)
• Kansas State (4-2)
• West Virginia (4-2)
• Arizona State (4-2)

And here is Iowa State’s remaining schedule: 

• vs. Cincinnati
• at Utah
• vs. Kansas State

Two weeks ago, those three games would have felt very winnable for Iowa State, especially with two of them coming at home inside Jack Trice Stadium. Now, the Cyclones are faced with plenty of inner-doubt as they look to stay in contention.

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