In a recent episode of the Late Kick with Josh Pate, one viewer asked about his picks for unranked teams that could sneak into the College Football Playoff.
Pate listed two teams that fit the parameters, including the Iowa State Cyclones and the Virginia Tech Hokies.
“Well, I’ve got two of them,” Pate said. “One of them is Iowa State, and you can partially call that bias, which it is, but I also believe they can make a serious push for the auto bid spot in the Big 12. If they win the conference they’re in, no questions asked.”
Iowa State returns one of the most experienced rosters in the Big 12 Conference, with 18 starters returning to their lineup in 2024. The only team within striking distance of the Cyclones’ retention rate is the Oklahoma State Cowboys who had a tremendous year last fall.
The team features an impressive cast of names at the skill positions, including veteran receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, as well as a dynamic athlete in the backfield in Abu Sama III. Defensively, the Cyclones have some absolute studs returning to the field, including Caleb Bacon, Myles Purchase, Jeremiah Cooper, Beau Fryler, and many more.
Iowa State will have the opportunity to live up to Pate’s expectations in 2024 when they kick off the season on Saturday, August 31st, against North Dakota.
