AMES, Iowa (AP) – Even Iowa State knows that it probably won’t win the Big 12 this year.  The Cyclones just want to win a bowl game. Iowa State went to three bowls in its first four years under coach Paul Rhoads. But the Cyclones lost seven straight Big 12 games and finishing 3-9 – by far their worst mark for Rhoads.

Iowa State has predictably been picked to finish ninth in the 10-team league, ahead of only Kansas. But Rhoads has set the bar at a postseason victory, which the Cyclones have achieved just once under Rhoads and three times in school history.