Cyclones come in at No. 7 in debut 2021 AP Poll

Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a new high-water mark for Iowa State’s presence in the Associated Press Top-25 — No. 7.

That’s where the Cyclones landed in the 2021 preseason AP Poll released on Monday. It is the program’s highest ranking ever in the poll, surpassing its No. 8 ranking after the regular season and ahead of the Big 12 title game last season.

This is Iowa State’s third straight appearance in the preseason AP Top-25 after starting at No. 21 in 2019 and No. 23 in 2020. The program’s only other preseason appearance came at No. 20 in 1978.

Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson Ohio State and Georgia make up the poll’s top five while Texas A&M, ISU, Cincinnati, Notre Dame and North Carolina round out the top-10.

Other Iowa State opponents in the poll are Iowa (No. 18) and Texas (No. 21). Oklahoma State, TCU and West Virginia each received votes.

Iowa State is now a consensus top-10 team in the major polls entering the season after coming in at No. 8 in the debut USA Today Coaches Poll last week.

The Cyclones will open their season on Sept. 4 against Northern Iowa in a 3:30 p.m. kick at Jack Trice Stadium.

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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