One college football magazine believes Iowa State is geared for a breakthrough season in the new Big 12 Conference. The Cyclones have an experienced team returning from last year’s squad that overcame a slow start to finish 7-6 and Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is calling the Cyclones a Big 12 title contender.

Steele says from a talent perspective this ISU team is similar to the one that entered the 2021 season.

Iowa State finished third in the Big 12 in defense a year ago and Steele believes a more experienced linebacking corps will help that unit be even better this season.

If Iowa State can stay in the hunt the final two weeks will determine their fate. They visit preseason favorite Utah and then host a Kansas State team picked to finish second in the preseason poll.

Steele’s magazine is available at Barnes and Noble as well as Book-a-Million. There is also a digital version on line that is updated through September. Big 12 Media Days begin today (Tuesday), in Las Vegas.