Iowa State debuts at No. 13 in CFP rankings

Nov 7, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) greets his team at the sideline after they converted the extra point to tie the game at 24 during their football game against Baylor at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to win 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports

For the 11th time since 2017, Iowa State is in the College Football Playoff committee’s ranking.

The Cyclones are No. 13 in the panel’s initial ranking of the 2020 season, marking the highest spot the program has ever held in the ranking and surpassing the previous high of No. 15. The first ranking of this season comes nearly one year to the day since Iowa State’s last appearance (Nov. 26, 2019).

Iowa State will matchup with Texas on Friday at 11 a.m. on ABC in a game that can clinch the Cyclones’ spot in the Big 12 title game. The Longhorns are No. 17 in the initial rankings.

Oklahoma at No. 11 and Oklahoma State at No. 23 are other Big 12 teams to appear in the rankings.

Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia are the only Big 12 programs to have appeared in the CFP rankings more than Iowa State.

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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