Following an impressive performance in Week 4, one team from the Big 12 Conference earned praise on CBS Sports’ College Football Playoff projection list.
Matt Campbell and the Iowa State Cyclones were selected to finish sixth in the Big 12 Preseason Media Poll before the season started, and they now find themselves in a position to take the reigns in conference play.
Heading into Week 4, CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm had two Big 12 teams, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, in the College Football Playoff bracket as at-large bids. Both teams lost in Week 4, which allowed Iowa State to sneak into the fold.
The Cyclones were listed as the second Big 12 team to make the CFP, joining No. 3 Utah, who earned the league’s auto bid. Matt Campbell’s squad earned the No. 8 seed ahead of Penn State, Michigan, Clemson, and G5 Champ, Boise State.
Their inclusion comes as a bit of a surprise, as the group has yet to play its first game in conference play this season. Regardless, the Cyclones’ dominance in the non-conference schedule has left many raving about their chances to win the Big 12 as a dark horse candidate.
Should Palm’s prediction come true, the Cyclones would clash with No. 9 Penn State, and the winner would advance to take on the SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Iowa State kicks off Big 12 play on Saturday, September 28th, against the Houston Cougars at 6:00 p.m. CT on the road.
