Iowa State’s 7 p.m. meeting with the No. 15 Texas Longhorns looms larger after Oklahoma State defeated No. 9 West Virginia.

First and foremost, the Cyclones need to knock off Texas to remain in a good position to advance to the conference championship.

With a win in Austin, Texas, the Cyclones would secure the second spot in the Big 12 standings for the meantime. West Virginia has two conference losses with one coming in Ames. 

Iowa State holds the tie-breaker over the Mountaineers. If the Cyclones can knock off Texas and Kansas State, they’re in.

With a loss to Kansas State and a win over Texas, Iowa State would need Oklahoma to beat West Virginia in the season finale to push the Mountaineers’ conference loss total to three, and again, Iowa State would hold the tie-breaker.

To recap: winning out is the easiest path to the Big 12 Championship for the Cyclones. A win over Texas and a loss to Kansas State is still in the equation, but it forces Iowa State to need help.