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“Whether you’re 5-2, 4-3 or 7-0,” he said, “it kind of goes out the window because the reality is you’re defined by how you play in November.”

The Cyclones (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) begin the month with a game against Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday. A win would move them to 8-0 for the first time and put them in a tie for first place in the conference with No. 9 BYU, which is vacant this week.

Iowa State made it to the Big 12 championship game in 2020, but has never won a major conference title in its 133-year history.

“We know we still have five games left and we know we still have so many things ahead of us that we can accomplish,” quarterback Rocco Becht said. “Coach Campbell always talks to us about it because it gives us the drive to go out and play our best game. We really need to focus on Texas Tech to achieve this goal because if we don’t, we will fall behind.”

Texas Tech has suffered two straight losses after a 5-1 start and is in the four-way tie for fifth place. Last week, the Red Raiders blew a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter in a 35-34 loss at TCU. Backup quarterback Will Hammond fumbled at the Horned Frogs' 27 as they attempted a go-ahead field goal with 1:38 left.

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Red Raiders entered this week with a grumpy fan base and as 13 1/2-point underdogs. They haven't lost three games in a row since 2020.

“There’s no one who wants to win over this fan base more than me,” third-year coach Joey McGuire said. “It bothers me that people are upset. Not that they're mad at me – again, say whatever you want. It bothers me because we couldn't take care of business on Saturday (and) that people feel like they're Red Raiders.”

Tech QB situation

Tech quarterback Behren Morton injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the second quarter against TCU and his availability was uncertain. McGuire said testing showed no structural damage. If Morton is unable to play, Hammond would be in the starting lineup for the first time. Hammond played 50 snaps against TCU. His only other appearance was in mop-up duty in a lopsided win over North Texas.

I'm aiming for three in a row

Texas Tech has won two straight against Iowa State after suffering five straight losses in the series. Last year the teams did not meet.

The Red Raiders went 14-10 in Ames in 2022 while the Cyclones went 1-for-5 in the red zone. In 2021, Tech won 41-38 in Lubbock on Jonathan Garibay's school-record 62-yard field goal as time expired. Both wins secured Tech's bowl eligibility. Another win on Saturday would do the same thing.

4,000 in sight

Big 12 rushing leader Tahj Brooks needs 23 yards to become the third Texas Tech player and ninth from the Big 12 to reach 4,000 yards in a career. Brooks is averaging 132.1 yards per game, third nationally, and he and national leader Ashton Jeanty of Boise State are the only rushers with at least 100 yards in every game this season.

Getting the detour

Brooks gives Texas Tech a favorable matchup against Iowa State's defense, which has struggled against the run. ISU is allowing an average of 170 yards rushing per game to rank second to last in the Big 12.

The Cyclones gave up 354 in a 38-35 win over UCF two weeks ago, the most since Campbell's first season (2016). Opponents broke four runs of 40 yards, including three of 50 yards.

8 would be great

The Cyclones have had eight seasons with at least eight wins since 1929. Earle Bruce (1976-78) and Campbell (2017-18, 2020) each coached three times. Dan McCarney (2000) and Johnny Majors (1971) each had an eight-win season.