AMES, Iowa — Iowa State has been perfect through the month of October, rattling off three wins in a row against TCU, Cincinnati and Baylor.
However, they'll start November off with the 22nd-ranked Kansas Jayhawks at home Saturday night.
KU is coming off a huge win over Oklahoma, handing them their first loss of the season.
This final stretch of games is crucial for the Cyclones as they're in a five-way tie for first in the Big 12.
But even with the possibility of competing for a conference championship being very much in reach, they can't afford to look too far ahead.
"There's excitement but it's not the excitement that's gonna get us off track or unfocused," said junior wide receiver Jaylin Noel. "It's an excitement that...we want to be here. We want to stay in this position, so we know we have to go our every day and practice hard, go out and compete with each other so that we're ready for the game on Saturday."
"Coach Campbell makes sure we're always focused on what's in front of us," said redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim. "That's why we're so locked in."
2009 was the last time Iowa State faced off against a ranked KU team. The cyclones have won the last seven meetings against the Jayhawks in Ames.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Jack Trice Stadium.