With three games left in the season and a shot at a Big 12 North division title, the chance to play in the Big 12 championship game is within the reach of the ISU football team.

For most teams and fans, a 4-4 overall record and 2-3 record in the conference is not much to cheer about.

But ISU fans have much to be excited about — an outside chance at doing something no other football team has done in ISU history.

The path to the Big 12 championship game is not easy, however, with the Cyclones having to go through Nebraska, Kansas State and Missouri in its final three games.

First up is Nebraska.

This game is probably the biggest domino in Iowa State’s attempt at a division championship. With a 3-2 conference record, Nebraska is currently leading Iowa State by one game in the Big 12 North. If Iowa State can pull off the upset, it will own the tiebreaker.

Anyone who knows college football would already know Nebraska is going through a “rebuilding” season.

Once a heavy rushing team, new head coach Bill Callahan and the Cornhuskers are trying to change to a pass-friendly West Coast offense.

Nebraska seemed to abandon this philosophy last week, with running back Cory Ross gaining 194 yards in a 24-3 win over Missouri.

If the Cyclone run defense can stop Ross, it will put heavy pressure on quarterback Joe Dailey, who has been less than spectacular this season. Dailey has thrown only 14 touchdowns compared with his 13 interceptions.

This may also be a game that Iowa State can use to help jump-start its fledgling offense. The once dominant “Blackshirt” Husker defense is struggling this year, giving up 21 or more points in five of its eight games, allowing 45 at Kansas State two weeks ago and a school record 70 at Texas Tech four weeks ago.

Following a bye week after the Nebraska game, Iowa State will travel to Manhattan, Kan., to play Kansas State.

This game will be the perfect chance for the Cyclones to kick the Wildcats while they’re down.

After starting the season as Big 12 champion favorites, last year’s conference champs are struggling with a 3-5 overall record and a 1-4 record in the Big 12.

Running back Darren Sproles returned for his senior year after gaining almost 2,000 yards last season. He’s not having as much success this year, gaining just over 100 yards per game.

That’s it for Kansas State — it has no passing attack and the defense has given up 207 total points this season.

It won’t be easy, but it will be a winnable game for Iowa State, as long as the run defense and kicking game hold up.

Iowa State will be cheering for Kansas State this Saturday, though, as they play Missouri, the team tied for second place in the North with Iowa State. The Cyclones host the Tigers in their last game of the season.

Missouri started the season strong, winning four of its first five games, but has dropped off the face of the earth, losing its last three.

Missouri will be a tough test for Iowa State, because quarterback Brad Smith is the same quarterback who gave the Cyclone defense fits in the final game of last season.

Smith is getting a little help from tailback Damien Nash, but he is still doing the job in Missouri virtually by himself, running for 410 yards and three touchdowns, combined with his 1,291 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.

If the Cyclone defense can shut down Smith’s ability to tuck the ball and run, the team has an excellent chance at a win, as Missouri’s leading receiver only has 22 catches for 348 yards.

Although the road to the Big 12 Championship game will be a tough one going through three normally strong teams, Iowa State has a chance.