The ISU football team is a fan of streaking.

Stop. Get your head out of the gutter. Not that kind of streaking. Shame on you!

Now that you are settled down, let’s start over.

The ISU football team is a fan of streaking.

If you look at its conference games since the final Big 12 contest of 2001, the Cyclone schedule has been nothing short of a roller coaster.

Starting with a win over Kansas in their 2001 conference closer, the Cyclones won four Big 12 games in a row.

They followed that mini-streak with a 1-15 mark that didn’t end until a 26-25 victory over Baylor last season. That game started a four game win streak that propelled Iowa State to a bowl and a share of the Big 12 North championship.

Now, a new streak has begun. A loss at home against Missouri last season was followed by defeats against Nebraska, Baylor and Missouri this year and an 0-3 mark in Big 12 play.

Now it’s time to start again.

The Cyclones have been here before. Last year they were 2-4 after six games and it looked like they would miss a bowl game for the second consecutive season.

After six games in 2005, Iowa State is one win ahead of last season’s pace. It has had chances to win each of its conference games, but couldn’t come through when it mattered most.

Their game against Oklahoma State proves to be a pivotal one, and will help determine the remainder of the season.

If Iowa State can beat Oklahoma State, a bright future might be available.

The win would move the Cyclones to 4-3 on the year, two wins away from a return trip to a bowl.

Games against Kansas and Kansas State are very winnable for Iowa State. That would give the Cyclones six wins, which is required for postseason eligibility. An upset of Texas A&M or Colorado would help their cause, and catch the eye of bowl officials.

Bowls are also always interested in hot teams, and a Cyclone squad that has won three or four of their last five would be an attractive pick for the Independence or Champs Sports Bowl.

Conversely, if Iowa State falls to Oklahoma State, its season is over.

A fourth loss would put them into a hole the Cyclones might not be able to pick their way out of.

A win at Texas A&M is out of the question, forcing Iowa State to win its final three games. Even though the Colorado game is in Ames, the Buffaloes should come away with a win.

Gary Barnett’s crew are much better than most people thought, and have the inside track on the Big 12 North title.

If Iowa State wants to find itself in a postseason game, it must do a couple things.

First, the Cyclones have to hold on to the football. It has been mentioned over and over in the last couple of weeks, but the point still stands. Fumbles kill momentum, and Iowa State has thrown any momentum they might have had away during their last two games.

Secondly, Iowa State has to find a big play on offense. Last season Bret Meyer to Todd Blythe was a lethal combination. Through six games last year, Blythe had seven touchdown receptions, five of those from Meyer. This season – one.

That has to change.

Come to think of it, so does the most recent streak.

– Grant Wall is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Fort Dodge. He is the sports editor of the Daily.