AMES, Iowa (AP) — The only Football Championship Subdivision opponent on Iowa State’s schedule is a three-time defending national champion that opens the season ranked No. 1. Even the easy ones aren’t easy for the Cyclones.

Iowa State will begin its sixth season under Paul Rhoads at home on Saturday against North Dakota State, which has won 24 straight games. The Bison have also won their last three on the road against opponents from the so-called power five conferences, including a win at Kansas State in 2013.