Iowa State bowl projections after Big 12 Championship loss: Exploring the Cyclones’ postseason chances
The Iowa State Cyclones fell just short of the College Football Playoff after losing in the Big 12 Championship Game to Arizona State 45-19. Yet, after a historic season, the Cyclones are sure to go bowling.
Iowa State (10-3, 7-2 in the Big 12) had a strong season overall. Picked to finish sixth in the conference in the preseason media poll, the Cyclones took advantage of a fast start and despite some midseason missteps, made it all the way to the conference championship game.
While eliminated from the CFP, Matt Campbell’s squad will still play a postseason game. These are the potential bowl scenarios for Iowa State.
Iowa State bowl projections after Big 12 Championship loss: Exploring the Cyclones’ postseason chances
The 2024 season was a pleasant surprise for fans in Ames, as the Cyclones started piling up wins right away. After defeating FBS North Dakota in their debut, they made their first statement by beating Iowa for the Cy-Hawk Trophy at Kinnick Stadium in Des Moines. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 21 at the time.
Iowa State entered the AP poll the following week and pulled off 5 more wins in a row to make it to 7-0. While none of those victories came against ranked opponents, four of them were versus Big 12 opponents, including a road win over West Virginia, while they also beat Baylor and Central Florida at home.
But things took a turn for the worst on Nov. 2, when they dropped a close one at home to Texas Tech, 23-22. A week later, their conference championship aspirations were put on life support, as they lost a second straight conference game, this time against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium.
Iowa State would answer by winning their next three games to close out the regular season. The last of those victories came in the annual “Farmaggedon” rivalry game versus Kansas State and punched their ticket to the Big 12 Championship Game.
With the conference title and a potential spot on the College Football Playoff, the Cyclones fell short and never really had a chance against the Sun Devils in Arlington, Texas. The defeat meant their season ended at 10-3, still the best record in program history.
After the defeat, however, the Cyclones can now focus on getting ready for a bowl game. While the destination isn’t certain, most projections put them in the Pop Tarts Bowl, held Dec. 28 in Orlando, Florida, versus an ACC team, likely Clemson or Miami.
Scott Dochterman of The Athletic thinks that a Pop Tarts Bowl matchup between Iowa State and Miami is "all but a formality" at this point.
Other potential destinations are the Alamo Bowl and Texas Bowl. Their final bowl destination will be known on Sunday, Dec. 8, when the bowl schedule is released.