AMES, Iowa (AP) — A somewhat promising start has given way to a troubling reality now that Iowa State has started Big 12 play. If that sounds familiar to Cyclones fans, it should. Iowa State is in the midst of yet another season-defining stretch.

The Cyclones (2-3, 1-1 Big 12), fresh off letting Texas Tech gain a school-record 776 yards in a 66-31 road loss last weekend, host No. 3 TCU (6-0, 3-0) on Saturday before a road trip to No. 2 Baylor.

It will take arguably the biggest win in school history just to earn a split over the next two weeks — and Iowa State would still be below .500 with five games to go.