Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell runs out with teammates prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State will begin the 2020 college football season, which figures to be unlike any we have ever seen, as the No. 25 team in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The poll, which was released on Thursday, lists Clemson as the No. 1 team in the nation followed by Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and LSU in the top-five.
Oklahoma is the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 6 while Texas comes in at No. 14 and Oklahoma State is No. 16. Baylor, TCU and Kansas State all received votes.
The Cyclones are in the preseason poll for the second consecutive season after being slated at No. 24 last year. That was the program’s first appearance in the preseason poll in its history.
This projects to be one of the most talented Iowa State teams in recent memory with returning stars at quarterback, tailback, tight end, receiver and at all three levels of the defense. Like the rest of the Big 12, the Cyclones will play a nine-game conference schedule and one non-conference game in accordance with league changes due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
