The recent preseason ranking by the Locked On Podcast Network, placing Iowa State as the 5th best football team in the Big 12, might initially sting for some fans. After years of battling for respect, a mid-conference ranking could be perceived as a slight, a reminder that the Cyclones aren’t yet universally seen as an elite program. However, a deeper look reveals this ranking to be a significant compliment and a testament to the program’s remarkable ascent.For decades, Iowa State was often an afterthought in Big 12 football, frequently projected near the bottom. To now be consistently placed in
