The Cyclones need two wins in their final three games to become bowl-eligible, and with a road trip at TCU to end the season, Iowa State would be best served by winning on Saturday at Stillwater. The Cyclones still have the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big 12 (16.3 points per game). On Saturday they face an Oklahoma State team in freefall. The Cowboys have been blown out 85-16 combined the last two weeks and look lost. Give me Iowa State.

The Cowboys started 5-0 and were a fourth-quarter collapse away from handing a loss to TCU, which could make the four-team playoff. They have dropped their last two amid the injury absence of QB Spencer Sanders, who is reportedly a game-time decision Saturday. Iowa State is a better club than its 4-5 record suggests, with three losses coming by three points or fewer. Matt Campbell's team is always prepared and a tough out, but it's a bit ambitious for the Cyclones to be favored in a desperation spot for the Cowboys.

Iowa State is the top rated team in the country in relative total defense and second in relative scoring defense in games between FBS teams. They Cyclones are also outside the top 100 in relative offensive yards and points. The Cowboys are reeling, in no small part due to injuries, especially on the offensive side of the ball. QB Spencer Sanders missed the Pokes previous game against Kansas and may not be ready to go this week either. Points may be pretty tough to come by in this one.