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Consecutive losses may have derailed Iowa State’s Big 12 title hopes but the Cyclones are certain they face a must-win situation on Saturday when Cincinnati comes calling at Ames, Iowa.

Undefeated prior to a bye in late October, Iowa State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) since lost 23-22 to visiting Texas Tech and 45-36 to Kansas on a neutral field.

The College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night as the guide for the 12-team playoff left the Cyclones out entirely, opting for a second American Athletic Conference team — No. 25 Tulane (8-2) — over the likes of Iowa State and ACC rep Pittsburgh. Pitt also started undefeated only to drop back-to-back games and fall out of the rankings.

The CFP committee sent a clear indication to Iowa State that a third straight setback would all but end any chance of being part of the playoff field.

No. 6 BYU (9-0, 6-0) leads the Big 12 and No 17 Colorado (7-2, 5-1) stands second.

Iowa State is part of a four-way tie for third but still has a shot at making a statement with No. 16 Kansas State on the schedule to end the regular season.

Cyclones coach Matt Campbell isn’t ready to accept that the Big 12 title quest is over.

“I guess we’re gonna find out,” Campbell said. “… The reality is what show’s up next Saturday? … We’ve got great leadership. We’ve got great coaching, but the reality of it is, who are you when things aren’t going great? And we’re gonna find out.”

Quarterback Rocco Becht passed for a season-high 383 yards in the loss to Kansas while Jaylin Noel had a career-best 167 receiving yards. He matched his career high of eight receptions while increasing his consecutive games with a catch streak to 41.

Becht is still stunned that an undefeated start disintegrated so fast.

“All the work that you put in to get to 7-0, and then those two losses coming out like that, it’s tough to move on,” Becht said.

Another challenge for the Cyclones is that Tyson Veidt is Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator. He served as Cyclones assistant head coach the past eight seasons before moving on to the Bearcats.

“Obviously, we are playing Iowa State, a defense that we hired coach Tyson from, so it gives us more familiarity with their defense,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. “I think having gone against it in the spring and in the summer, so we’ll have a better idea about it.”

Cincinnati (5-4, 3-3) has dropped two straight games, including a frustrating 31-24 to visiting West Virginia last weekend.

The Bearcats held a 436-248 edge in total offense and owned a 24-10 edge in first downs. But three turnovers by Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (one interception, two fumbles) led to 17 West Virginia points.

“We’ve got to take care of the football, bottom line,” Satterfield said. “Turnover margin is one of the most important stats you can win to be able to win the game, particularly if they take those for (two) touchdowns and that’s what happened.”

Last season, Becht passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns as Iowa State posted a 30-10 home win over Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media