College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 12

Along with a slew of other Big 12 teams, Iowa State took Week 11 off. That allowed the Cyclones to remain atop the Big 12 standings, the only team with five conference wins and only one loss. Though they remain a few spots behind Oklahoma State in the AP Top 25, Matt Campbell’s team controls their own fate in the race to finish top two in the league standings and play for the conference championship.

Brock Purdy hasn’t been the world-beater expected of him when the season commenced, but he has done his part to ensure Iowa State is still in control of its own destiny. Breece Hall has been the top running back in the Big 12, ranking fourth nationally with 147.7 yards per game and boasting 13 rushing touchdowns. That is more than the defense allows to opposing rushing attacks; on average teams manage to gain only 108 yards per game on the ground against Iowa State.

A huge game looms in Week 12 for Iowa State as they welcome Kansas State to Ames. The Wildcats will be looking to reclaim position in the conference race after losing back-to-back league games, making this a dangerous test. With a Black Friday test against Texas looming only six days later, the Cyclones cannot get caught looking ahead lest they get trapped at Jack Trice Stadium.