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Iowa State Football: 3 reasons to believe Cyclones will win Big 12

By Andrew Miller

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammates linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and defensive end Spencer Benton #58 of the Iowa State Cyclones after intercepting a pass late in the second half of play against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammates linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and defensive end Spencer Benton #58 of the Iowa State Cyclones after intercepting a pass late in the second half of play against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by defensive back DeShon Elliott #4, and defensive back Holton Hill #5 of the Texas Longhorns as he rushed for yards in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by defensive back DeShon Elliott #4, and defensive back Holton Hill #5 of the Texas Longhorns as he rushed for yards in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

2. Texas plays everyone close

By far the biggest hurdle that Iowa State football faces before having a real shot at the Big 12 Championship Game comes on the Forty Acres in Week 12. The Horns come into this game with a head coach in Tom Herman that is looking to keep the hopes of his team alive of both winning the Big 12 and winning 10 games.

Meanwhile, Iowa State does have a slightly better shot at making it to the Big 12 Championship Game since it holds the tiebreaker over the most likely team to lose between Oklahoma and West Virginia. Oklahoma has an easier road than West Virginia does in the last two games of the Big 12 slate.

If Iowa State hangs around long enough, or even takes a good lead heading into the fourth quarter in this game against the Horns, it could pull off the upset on the road. Iowa State is without that true marquee win on the road this year and beating Texas could deliver on that front. This team did manage to pull it off in Norman against Oklahoma last season.

Since Herman and the Horns have the tendency to play every opponent that’s at least a decent team this year close, this is a big opportunity for the Cyclones. Iowa State is also in for a revenge game since Texas knocked them off on the national stage to open Big 12 play last year at home in Ames.

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