No. 12 Oklahoma takes Big 12 title quest to Iowa State

AMES, Iowa (AP) – At one time, Oklahoma’s early November trip to Iowa State might have looked like a potential upset that could turn the playoff picture upside down.

The Sooners will need to do a lot more than beat the lowly Cyclones on Thursday night to even think they can reach football’s Final Four.

But a loss would put No. 12 Oklahoma’s only realistic remaining goal, a Big 12 title, in serious jeopardy.

The Sooners (6-2, 5-0 Big 12, No. 14 CFP ) have recovered well enough for an ugly 1-2 start to put themselves in position to win yet another league title.

And while visiting Ames to play Iowa State (1-7, 0-5) still looks somewhat dangerous on paper, the reasons why Cyclones haven’t beaten Oklahoma at home in decades remain in play.

Iowa State has talent at the skill positions and in the secondary. But the Cyclones have yet to learn how to win under first-year coach Matt Campbell.

Iowa State has led at halftime in three of its five Big 12 games. It has also been within seven points three times in the conference, but its inability to close teams out has doomed the Cyclones to a seventh straight losing season.