Cyclones ranked No. 25 in preseason coaches poll

Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell runs out with teammates prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State will begin the 2020 college football season, which figures to be unlike any we have ever seen, as the No. 25 team in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

The poll, which was released on Thursday, lists Clemson as the No. 1 team in the nation followed by Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and LSU in the top-five.

Oklahoma is the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 6 while Texas comes in at No. 14 and Oklahoma State is No. 16. Baylor, TCU and Kansas State all received votes.

The Cyclones are in the preseason poll for the second consecutive season after being slated at No. 24 last year. That was the program’s first appearance in the preseason poll in its history.

This projects to be one of the most talented Iowa State teams in recent memory with returning stars at quarterback, tailback, tight end, receiver and at all three levels of the defense. Like the rest of the Big 12, the Cyclones will play a nine-game conference schedule and one non-conference game in accordance with league changes due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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