Sep 1, 2015 at 1:26a ET
Sep 1, 2015 at 1:26a ET
AMES, Iowa (AP) Opening day losses have all but doomed Iowa State in each of the last two seasons.
This year's schedule should give the Cyclones a chance for a better start.
Iowa State opens its seventh season under coach Paul Rhoads with an immediate must-win game on Saturday against Northern Iowa.
The Cyclones have dropped back-to-back home openers against FCS schools, starting with a defeat to Northern Iowa in 2013. If Iowa State can get past the Panthers this weekend, it has a shot at a winning streak with Iowa, Toledo, Kansas and Texas Tech on deck.