In terms of the probability of the Iowa State Cyclones breaking their losing streak in the Big 12, we are living in an incredible period.
Despite having a longstanding reputation for being one of the least successful Power 5 football programs in the annals of the sport’s history, Iowa State has now able to qualify for a bowl game for the fifth year in a row, which is clear evidence of the relatively favorable treatment that the school has received over the past few years.
Nonetheless, the 2022 Cyclones don’t look good enough on paper to warrant serious consideration for the conference title, as bowl appearances rarely guarantee success. After last weekend’s defeat to Kansas, it looks even grimmer.
Back at it in Austin this week!
🌪🚨🌪 pic.twitter.com/ku60F63RHA
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) October 10, 2022
Previous Poor Performances
In the previous season, Iowa State finished with a record of 7-6, which is considered to be a below-average performance. Four of the Cyclones’ five regular-season losses occurred during conference play, while the other one occurred outside of conference play. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if you lose four of your nine conference games, you probably aren’t going to be in the running for the championship.
Yet irrespective of what the loss total indicates by itself, considering what the future can bring calls for as much information as is feasible, and the farther you delve into this Cyclones’ position, the more proficient they appear to be.
ISU’s two losses on the road in Big 12 play came against West Virginia and Oklahoma, both of which were won by a margin of seven points and both of which took place away from ISU’s home court. These two defeats were the most “lopsided” of ISU’s four conference setbacks. The Cyclones suffered their other two conference defeats on the road, this time against Baylor and Texas Tech. Each of those games was decided by three points or fewer, and it was a close game all the way through.
To put it another way, Iowa State will play home to all four of the Big 12 teams that came dangerously close to defeating them in 2021 during the upcoming season. If it is capable of surviving most of them, if not all of them, then the road to the championship game of a conference that does not have divisions might surely be opened up.
𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝
🌪🚨🌪 pic.twitter.com/ZjYAoGtHQq
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) October 11, 2022
What Other Issues Are There?
Now, obviously, there are continuously going to be worries that go beyond discussing who you lost to, and these issues are always likely to be present. For instance, what about the Iowa State Cyclones’ significant victories the previous year, such as the ones they had versus Texas and Oklahoma State?
While Iowa State may have lost by small margins to the four listed teams, it defeated Oklahoma State similarly. Many people believe that the Longhorns will significantly improve their formidableness, despite the fact that they may have previously been an easy team to beat.
Last but not least, this season will find both of these teams playing host to the Cyclones. So, what are your options?
ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴀᴄᴋ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘꜱ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ.
We now have the first and only FBS stadium featuring @GrassmaxSystems Hybrid Stitching.
🌪🚨🌪 pic.twitter.com/XRpWZrtyYs
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) October 12, 2022
There’s Light at the End of the Tunnel
In the end, the only thing that can be done is to make light of the possibility that Iowa State will win against them once more. In the same way, we have to make light of the possibility that it will win against any of the Big 12 institutions against which it is coming off of defeats.
Another pressing concern is how well it is reasonable to expect Iowa State University to bounce back in terms of the general quality of play, given that the team has suffered major talent losses over the course of this off-season stretch.
A loss on the roster, though, would scare a team of its stature even less than one might imagine because Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell has built his reputation—and the program’s—around achieving more with less.
We could not be more proud of our Cyclones for the commitment they continue to show to achieving greatness in the classroom! pic.twitter.com/5UhBZEDR9L
— Matt Campbell (@ISUMattCampbell) May 14, 2021
Final Thoughts
The fact that Iowa State has typically performed worse than any of the teams discussed today is due to the fact that Iowa State is still Iowa State. Having said that, going into this season, they are not guaranteed anything of any kind.
But if there was one thing that the Cyclones demonstrated in 2021, it was that they were not easy opponents to beat. If they are able to regain that might for the upcoming season in the Big 12, then the other teams in the conference could be in for a harsh awakening.
Back to work 💪
h/t Iowa State Football pic.twitter.com/TEeekSKiJp
— Ames NIL Club 🌪 (@AmesNILClub) October 12, 2022
Credits on Featured Image: K.a.zenz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
