No. 4 seed BYU Cougars: The Cougars earned this spot again as the projected Big 12 champion and the committee's fourth-highest ranked conference champion. What's separating BYU from Iowa State in the projected committee ranking is its road win at SMU and the head-to-head home win on Sept. 21 against Kansas State. BYU and Iowa State don't play each other during the regular season but could meet in the Big 12 title game. Iowa State's best win is against an Iowa team that's now 4-3.


First Four out

Iowa State Cyclones (7-0)

Best win: Sept. 7 at Iowa, 20-19
Toughest remaining game: Nov. 30 vs. Kansas State

The Cyclones' strength of schedule currently ranks No. 80 in the FBS, but ESPN Analytics still gives Iowa State the best chance to win the Big 12 (35.1%).

Kansas State Wildcats (6-1)

Best win: Oct. 12 at Colorado
Toughest remaining game: Nov. 30 at Iowa State

Because of the loss to BYU and with six teams having one or zero losses in the conference, K-State probably needs to run the table to get into the Big 12 title game.