Iowa State football will be competing until the end in 2020

Iowa State football is looking to take that one last step it needs to compete for a Big 12 title. The Cyclones have the talent to do just that.

There have been several teams in the Big 12 that have tasted their first taste of consistency. Most teams, outside of the Oklahoma Sooners, either they remain the same or they decline in efficiency. The No. 23 Iowa State Cyclones are looking to make the big step toward the elite teams in the Big 12.

Last season, the Cyclones finished a tough season with a 7-6 record (5-4 Big 12) where they lost all of their games against winning teams. Their toughest losses were at home against Iowa by one point, at Baylor by two and at home against Oklahoma State by seven.

They are expected a big slash in conference play this season due to the vast number of efficient starters returning on both sides of the ball. Most of the other teams in the conference are expected to go through a long rebuilding process or just coming out of it.

Matt Campbell has the Cyclones going in a good place as he enters into his fifth season as head coach. During his time as head coach, he has a 27-25 record (18-18 record in Big 12 play). In the past three seasons, the Cyclones are 23-16 including a 16-11 mark in conference play.

Athlon Sports projects the Cyclones to finish 8-4 (6-3 in Big 12 play) and third in the conference this season. Four of seven of CBS Sports’ sports analysts projected the Cyclones to finish the season third in the Big 12.

The Cyclones will have to win key conference games this season with a limited schedule with some of the program’s best players in a decade playing in their last season. It will be tough to get a 10-win season with a shorter season but the Cyclones expect a push relevance on the field as well as a chance to grow as a football program for the future.