LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Paul Rhoads ticked off in his head, one by one, the number of questions it took this week before someone finally asked him about his Cyclones winning their sixth game. “That’s not bad. I thought it would take two,” the Iowa State coach said with a smile.

The Cyclones (5-5, 2-5 Big 12) haven’t been to a postseason game in back-to-back years since the 2005-06 seasons, when they went under former coach Dan McCarney. The program has only been to 11 in its meager history, including the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers last December.

Iowa State can become eligible by beating Kansas on Saturday or West Virginia in its finale.