Can Iowa State be a real College Football Playoff contender?

The beauty of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format is the opportunity it gives other schools to contend for a national title.

Teams like Iowa State, who would normally need a flawless magical season to gain the respect of the playoff committee, can focus on one thing; Win the conference.

The Cyclones are currently 5-0, playing some very good football, and have a chance to win the Big 12, which will give them an automatic bid for the 12-team College Football Playoffs.

Currently, at no.11 in the AP rankings, the Cyclones are having a lot of fun in Corn Country as the highest-ranked team in the Big 12. They have already defeated cross-state rival Iowa and haven't allowed more than 24 points so far this season.

The offense has few playmakers as well, especially in the backfield. The three-headed monster of Jaylon Jackson, Abu Sama III, and Carson Hansen all have 40+ carries and combine for 748 yards and 5 TDs. Quarterback, Rocco Becht, got a great connection with his wideouts, Jaylin Noel making the big plays downfield (19 yards per catch), while Jayden Higgins finds the endzone (5 Rec TD).

What's next for Iowa State Football?

The Cyclones are 3-0 in the conference with a big game this week on the road and under the lights against West Virginia, which will obviously be a hostile environment. The month of November will determine a lot for the Cyclones though, with trips to Kansas and no. 16 Utah. Then capping the year off hosting no. 18 Kansas State, which could possibly have Big 12 title game implications.

Will Corn Country get a chance to host a playoff game? Stay tuned.