Big 12 Power Rankings: Baylor’s Offense Proves Ready for Big 12 Schedule

Oct 3, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads reacts to a call by the officials during their game against the Texas Longhorns at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

10. Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 1-3 (0-1)

Previous Ranking: 10

Last Week: Texas 31, Iowa State 30

This Week: at #20 Texas Tech

Next Week: at Baylor

That was a fumble. It should have been Cyclones ball. Texas should have lost.

Instead, Iowa State finds itself at 1-3 with three straight ranked opponents on their schedule. There is a very small likelihood Iowa State makes a bowl now, which is disappointing because a win over Texas would have re-opened that option for them. Do you see two wins over Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma now? Yeah, not happening.

This wasn’t the only fumble that was botched this week – we’ll get to the other later – so Iowa State shouldn’t feel too alone.

The rest of this season has to be about getting Sam Richardson ready for next season. Richardson has seen improvement in his accuracy and ability to make bigger plays through the air, but his decision-making has been erratic and he’s had issues protecting the ball. More experience will go a long way towards getting Iowa State back to a bowl game next season.

For now, Cyclones fans have this: