Iowa State Cyclones Jump to No. 50 in CFN Rankings After Big Win Over West Virginia

Iowa State fans have reason to smile this week. The Cyclones moved up 16 spots to No. 50 in the latest College Football News (CFN) rankings after a thrilling 45-42 victory over West Virginia. The win gives the team a 3-2 record and momentum heading into a tough matchup at BYU.

The Cyclones' rise is part of a broader shakeup in the rankings, with several teams making big moves after Week 5. The CFN rankings, which cover all 138 FBS teams, show just how competitive college football has become in the NIL era.

What does the Cyclones' ranking mean for Iowa?

For Iowa State, the jump to No. 50 is a positive sign. The team has shown resilience, bouncing back from early losses to stay competitive in the Big 12. Head coach Matt Campbell's squad will need to keep that momentum going as they face BYU on the road this week.

The Cyclones' offense has been clicking, and the defense made key stops when it mattered against West Virginia. Fans are hopeful this could be a turning point for the season.

Big movers and surprises in the latest CFN rankings

The rankings saw several notable shifts. Kentucky jumped to No. 26 after a big overtime win over South Carolina, while Arizona climbed to No. 27 with a 34-7 rout of Cincinnati. Pitt remains undefeated at No. 37, and Duke is close behind at No. 29.

On the flip side, some teams took big falls. Tulsa dropped from No. 23 to No. 62 after a narrow loss to North Texas, and Arkansas slid from No. 22 to No. 54 after a loss to Texas A&M.

Teams to watch in the coming weeks

Several teams are poised to make moves. Boise State, at No. 43, faces Fresno State in a key Mountain West matchup. SMU, at No. 42, has an open date to prepare for a tough stretch ahead.

For Iowa fans, the big game to watch is Iowa State's trip to BYU. A win could push the Cyclones even higher in the rankings and strengthen their bowl game prospects.

Full CFN rankings: teams 26-50

Here's a look at the full rankings from 26 to 50, with records and what's next for each team:

• 26. Kentucky (4-1) - Up next: LSU
• 27. Arizona (4-1) - Up next: at West Virginia
• 28. Wake Forest (4-1) - Up next: at NC State
• 29. Duke (4-0) - Up next: at Georgia Tech
• 30. Michigan (3-2) - Up next: Open date
• 31. Cincinnati (4-1) - Up next: Open date
• 32. Houston (4-1) - Up next: at Kansas State
• 33. Texas A&M (3-2) - Up next: at Missouri
• 34. Kansas State (3-1) - Up next: Houston
• 35. Louisville (2-3) - Up next: Florida State
• 36. Oklahoma (2-2) - Up next: Texas (in Dallas)
• 37. Pitt (5-0) - Up next: North Carolina
• 38. Virginia Tech (4-1) - Up next: at Cal
• 39. Washington (3-2) - Up next: Iowa
• 40. Penn State (3-2) - Up next: USC
• 41. Clemson (3-2) - Up next: Open date
• 42. SMU (4-1) - Up next: Open date
• 43. Boise State (4-1) - Up next: at Fresno State
• 44. Auburn (3-2) - Up next: Open date
• 45. Baylor (4-1) - Up next: Open date
• 46. North Carolina (2-2) - Up next: at Pitt
• 47. South Carolina (2-3) - Up next: at Florida
• 48. New Mexico (4-1) - Up next: Open date
• 49. UCF (3-2) - Up next: at Oklahoma State
• 50. Iowa State (3-2) - Up next: at BYU

What's next for the Cyclones?

Iowa State's game at BYU is shaping up to be a critical test. The Cougars have been solid this season, and playing on the road in Provo is never easy. But the Cyclones have shown they can compete with anyone when they're firing on all cylinders.

Fans can catch the game this Saturday. A win would not only boost Iowa State's ranking but also build confidence for the rest of the Big 12 schedule.

For more on the full CFN rankings, including teams 51-138, check out the complete list on Yahoo Sports.