The ISU football team is a little down on its luck, pushing through the brunt of its Big 12 schedule after two discouraging losses against Kansas State and Oklahoma State.

With only one winnable game seemingly on its schedule — Nov. 17 at Kansas — some are beginning to doubt if the Cyclones (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) will make it to its third bowl game in four years under coach Paul Rhoads.

The sputtering of the offense has been appalling, and the defense hasn’t been able to keep its consistency as a result.

But while questions have arisen about whether this team can overcome its recent adversities, we’re going to tell you that Iowa State will make it to a bowl game this season.

First, Iowa State has had mid-season snags like this in the past — most notably last season’s four-game skid that began Big 12 play and didn’t end until its upset win at Texas Tech in Jared Barnett’s first start at quarterback.

Iowa State is 4-3 right now, the second time it has started at that mark under Rhoads. The first time was 2009, when the Cyclones finished their season with a victory in the Insight Bowl.

While that is not totally indicative or transitive into this season, there’s plenty of room to rationally believe Iowa State still has a shot to go “bowling.”

All Iowa State needs is two wins, which should come against Baylor this weekend and Kansas on Nov. 17.

Statistically, Baylor has the worst defense in the nation. The Bears (3-3, 0-3) have given up 44 points per game and 58.3 points per game in Big 12 play.

Even the dejected ISU offense will gain confidence against this group en route to what we think will be Iowa State’s 38th Homecoming win.

Beating Oklahoma or Texas will be tricky, but this team still has another upset in it, so one might take place — even though we’d say it’s a bit of a stretch.

If Iowa State beats Oklahoma, which could jump up in the polls if it should beat No. 5 Notre Dame this weekend, then it will likely be one of the biggest upsets in school history. Iowa State led against Oklahoma after the first quarter before giving up 23 unanswered points in the 26-6 loss in Norman, Okla.

Beating Texas might be a little more feasible: Iowa State’s only win in the series came in its last trip to Austin, Texas, which was a 28-21 bout in 2010.

Texas is having trouble defensively, averaging 35.0 points per game (105th nationally). If anything, we would expect Texas to come away with the victory, but don’t be surprised to see a close game here.

A win at Kansas should be feasible considering the Jayhawks have yet to beat an FBS team this season and probably won’t when it’s all said and done. Kansas played Iowa State close last year, however. And even though the Cyclone run defense is much improved this season, there is cause for concern even against this seemingly lowly opponent.

West Virginia looks more pedestrian since its blowout losses to Texas Tech and Kansas State, so it might be a winnable game for the Cyclones on Black Friday.

While West Virginia will still probably be favored, expect the atmosphere of that game to create a window of opportunity for the Cyclones to capture a statement win to end the regular season.

This is a talented team, folks. Like we said before, these guys probably have another upset left in them, and one of those upsets could come against Oklahoma, Texas or West Virginia.

So don’t fret, Cyclone fans. There’s still a lot of football left to play.