It’s kind of crazy to think that college football is quickly coming to an end–at least for Iowa State, that is. 

While the Cyclones still have two more chances to prove themselves that they are bowl eligible, I’m not so sure I see that happening. 

Truthfully, this season has felt like a roller coaster, and I’m sure Matt Campbell and his team probably feel the same way. 

After a 3-0 start to the season, I had high hopes for it to be a successful season for Iowa State. 

Then, after a few losses, I thought maybe it was a slump that they would quickly get out of and have a turnaround season. 

Additionally, after the win against West Virginia, I believed they were on the right track to win out and grab some big wins. 

But game after game, loss after loss, the same mistakes seemed to occur. 

From interceptions by Hunter Dekkers and dropped passes from Xavier Hutchinson and Dimitri Stanley to missed field goals by Jace Gilbert, the tiny mistakes seem to cost them the game. 

I’ve been saying this for a while, and I’ll say it again: Iowa State has the puzzle pieces to become a great team. Other than the win over West Virginia, I don’t think we’ve seen a game so far this season where all those pieces have been put together at the same time. 

With that, I don’t think we’ve seen just how good this team can be.

The defense will play great one game, and the offense will have bumps in the road and vice versa. The potential is there, but we’re still waiting to see it. 

Five out of six losses this season have been decided by one possession. That’s five games that could’ve been won and should’ve been won. If those games were won, Iowa State would be standing at a 7-1 conference record and 9-1 overall. 

So, where do the Cyclones go from here? 

Iowa State is capable of winning its next two games. Will it be tough? No doubt. Texas Tech is in the middle of the Big 12 standings, and TCU is still undefeated. 

But, it’s possible. Anything is possible. 

After each game, Campbell has expressed how much growth he sees from his team each week in practice and in games. He also stresses how close the team is to a win. 

While a win used to be “inches” away, I think it’s now centimeters or even millimeters. 

The wins are right around the corner, but improvement needs to be shown on both sides of the ball in order for that to happen. 

Yes, fans are probably disappointed and upset with the outcomes that seem to occur every week. However, I have a feeling that the Cyclones will have a strong comeback season next year. 

At the end of the day, each team for every sport goes through a rough patch or a rough season. 

The Iowa State football team is full of young players and veterans, and each day is filled with new opportunities to learn and grow. The time will come.