Iowa State football: Ranking the Cyclones’ toughest remaining opponents

Oct 18, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback

(2) throws prior to the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1. TCU Horned Frogs

Save the best for last. There’s no question that Iowa State’s finale in Fort Worth, Texas, is the absolute toughest task left on the schedule. It’s a road game, the Horned Frogs will likely still be in Big 12 title contention (if not College Football Playoff contention), and this team is a hell of a lot better offensively than we all thought coming into the season.

That’s because of the improvement of Trevone Boykin. And unfortunately for the Cyclones, they can’t stop mobile quarterbacks. Outside of a first half 28-point run, Jake Waters for Kansas State owned the second half. Tyrone Swoopes pulled out a barnburner in Austin. Boykin could be better than both of them right now.

TCU’s defense has given up a lot of points, but that was against the great offenses of Oklahoma and Baylor. Outside of OU, they haven’t given up more than 14 points at home in their other three home contests. This team is minutes away from being 6-0 and easily in the CFP discussion. If Iowa State is able to put themselves in position to get to a bowl game, but they need to pick up their sixth win at TCU, you may want to hold off on flight plans.