The Iowa State Cyclones are preparing for a season that comes along with big expectations. | Twitter
The Iowa State Cyclones are preparing for a season that comes along with big expectations. | Twitter
The Iowa State Cyclones will open the season having achieved a preseason AP college football ranking higher than the team has ever achieved.
Only one other time have they been ranked as high as No. 7. The Associated Press came out with its top 25, and it's clear that Iowa State has earned the respect of the committee.
For Iowa State, expectations are big this year. They had a terrific season last year, and are looking to carry over that momentum.
Head Coach Matt Campbell is entering his sixth season as head of the program. He expressed excitement even in the midst of raised expectations.
“We realize the higher you go up the mountain, the more challenging that mountain can be, the harder it is to breathe, and the more precision you need the higher up you get,” he said, according to the Des Moines Register.
Meanwhile, rival Iowa came in at No. 18, which is also considered to be an achievement for the program. This makes them the fourth-highest ranked Big Ten Team, coming in behind Ohio State, Wisconsin and Indiana. Iowa will have two tough tests to start the season with matchups for No. 17 Indiana and No. 7 rival Iowa State.
Still, analysts expect the team to remain in the college football rankings throughout the year as long as they stand tall in the early tests to start the season. If they can split the two games, they will make a strong case to stay ranked. A 2-0 start would have them in the conversation for the Top 10, which would be a huge step for the program.
Both Iowa teams figure to be competitive this year and stay ranked throughout the year. The in-state rivalry will meet for a highly anticipated matchup in the second week of the season, which could dash playoff hopes for one team and vault another team up the rankings.
| RANK | TEAM |
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | Oklahoma |
| 3 | Clemson |
| 4 | Ohio State |
| 5 | Georgia |
| 6 | Texas A&M |
| 7 | Iowa State |
| 8 | Cincinnati |
| 9 | Norte Dame |
| 10 | North Carolina |
| 11 | Oregon |
| 12 | Wisconsin |
| 13 | Florida |
| 14 | Miami |
| 15 | USC |
| 16 | LSU |
| 17 | Indiana |
| 18 | Iowa |
| 19 | Penn State |
| 20 | Washington |
| 21 | Texas |
| 22 | Costal Carolina |
| 23 | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| 24 | Utah |
| 25 | Arizona State |
| SOURCE: Associated Press | |
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