Cyclones finish the season ranked No. 9 in AP Poll

Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell is dunked with Gatorade by his players in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since 2000, the Iowa State Cyclones finished the season in the AP Top-25.

Iowa State came in at No. 9 in the Associated Press’ final rankings of the 2020 season, released last night. It is only the third postseason ranking in program history — and by far the highest postseason ranking in school history.

This news comes as the Cyclones continue to gain momentum as a potential preseason top-10 team in 2021. They’ve been ranked anywhere from No. 6 to No. 9 in nearly every way-too-early 2021 top-25 that has been released to this point.

Iowa State is expected to return upwards of 20 starters from its historic 9-3 2020 season that culminated with a win in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, the program’s first New Year’s Six win ever.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

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.

Follow @@JaredStansbury