To close the 2016 season, Iowa State lost 49-19 to West Virginia in its final game to fall to 3-9 on the season. A season that included a loss to Northern Iowa in week 1, a 39 point loss to Iowa in week 2, and a 2-7 Big 12 Conference run. Sure there were bright spots: The Joel Lanning Game against Patrick Mahomes and the Red Raiders, and close losses to Baylor (3), Oklahoma (10), Kansas State (5), and Oklahoma State (7), but 3-9 is still 3-9. Now, just 5 short years later, Iowa State is in the Big 12 Championship for the first time in the school’s history and playing for an outside shot at the College Football Playoff.