Iowa State's schedule is ranked the toughest in the country for good reason. Not only do they face a preseason top ten team (Iowa) and one lurking just outside the top 25 (Utah) in their non conference slate, but the middle of October is a joke for the Cyclones. It doesn't get much harder than heading to Oklahoma and Texas on two consecutive Saturdays. To reach a bowl game ISU will have to get 7 wins as one of their opponents is Division 1-A Northern Iowa. I think they take a step back this season with a respectable 5 wins.