Projected final 2020 College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings after Week 16
By Zach Bigalke
Pick Analysis. 8-3. 10. 837. Scouting Report. lost 27-21 vs. No. 10 Oklahoma (Big 12 championship in Arlington, Tex.). Iowa State Cyclones. player
Iowa State had its chances to win a second straight over Oklahoma and claim its first conference title since 1912. After coming out flat in the first half of the Big 12 championship game against the Sooners, the Cyclones turned things on after the intermission. Driving for a game-winning touchdown deep in Oklahoma territory, Brock Purdy instead threw an interception on Iowa State’s final drive that iced a 27-21 Sooners victory.
Purdy threw three interceptions on an uneven day where he finished 27-of-40 for 322 yards and one score while adding 33 rushing yards. Breece Hall was held to 79 yards by the Sooners defense but punched in two scores as the Cyclones threatened to come back. Iowa State controlled the time of possession, matched Oklahoma in first downs and outgained the Sooners on offense, but failed to get any takeaways to balance that crucial ledger.
Instead of breaking a 108-year drought, the Cyclones remain devoid of a conference championship on the gridiron for another season. Matt Campbell’s team will probably stay in the top 10, though the selection committee will probably slot them begrudgingly behind undefeated Cincinnati in their final Top 25 of the season.