Postgame mailbag: Is Iowa State headed to a winnable game at Oklahoma State?

AMES – Whatever happens over the next three weeks, whether it’s a dramatic turnaround or a disappointing stretch, Iowa State can look back to the first weekend in November with a smile.

Maybe it’s the game that sets the Cyclones on the path to improbable bowl eligibility. Or maybe it’s the lone Big 12 victory in a sea of losses.

Either way, Iowa State earned a 31-14 victory Saturday afternoon over West Virginia to snap a five-game losing streak and provide a moment of optimism in a season that had grown increasingly bleak since its last victory back in mid-September.

“Our story is our story,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “Until it’s not our story.

“There’s a whole lot of story still to tell.”

More:Fourth-quarter outburst powers Cyclones to first Big 12 victory

Whatever narrative lies ahead for Iowa State, getting the “0” out of the Big 12 win column and snuffing out a losing streak is victory enough, for now.

Whether Saturday was the start of something profound or just a brief reprieve, it’s something. Especially for a team that to this point, literally had nothing in Big 12 play.

We’ll see what the coming weeks bring, but, on Saturday night, ‘Sweet Caroline’ played at Jack Trice Stadium.

Now let's answer some questions we got from Cyclones fans after the win.

Does the number of games Oklahoma State has played in a row make you think Iowa State's chances are better or worse going into next week?

After Iowa State’s loss last week to Oklahoma, it felt like a bowl game was all but completely unachievable since it would mean needing a road win against one of two teams that opened that weekend ranked in the top-10.

Since then, though, Oklahoma State got stomped 48-0 by Kansas State and handled 37-16 by Kansas. Against the Jayhawks, the Cowboys were down their starting quarterback, wide receiver, safety, right guard and punter while their starting running back played through an injury.

That game looks significantly more winnable than it did two weeks ago.

More:Peterson: Iowa State unloads the offensive playbook in stopping a five-game losing streak

Now, how much more winnable? That’s the question.

Oklahoma State has had a terrible two weeks, and Iowa State struggled through three quarters against what was their competition for “worst team in the Big 12,” so getting too worked up in either direction is probably folly.

Certainly, though, Iowa State is going to Stillwater with a little juice while the home team looks significantly hobbled.

There are several experienced guys on the O-line, why do they look like they have regressed this season?

The offensive line is now in Year 7 of being an issue for Iowa State.

Whatever the reasons are – and the list of potential culprits is long – it's simply true to say that group has disappointed relative to the rest of the roster.

It'll be interesting to see what Iowa State does in regard to its offense this offseason. Campbell can be ruthlessly honest in his self-evaluation of the program. Does he chalk up this year’s offensive struggles to youth and injuries? Or does the blame get placed on something more structural?

If the next three weeks play out without extremes in either direction, that might be the most intriguing question facing Iowa State this offseason.

Is Jirehl Brock actually 50/50 to play next weekend or is he seriously hurt?

When the running back got twisted back as he was tackled in the second quarter, things looked very serious. When Campbell helped Brock off the field and then when Brock was carted back to the locker room, it maybe looked like a season-ender.

“It looked bad,” Campbell said. “And he was in a lot of pain.”

More:Peterson: Iowa State running backs were very good in Jirehl Brock's absence

Not long after, though, Brock was back on the sideline, wearing his helmet and running sprints under the watchful eye of Iowa State’s training staff.

Brock ultimately didn’t return to the game, but seeing him not on crutches felt like a win for Iowa State.

“I do think he will be OK,” Campbell said. “He was able to dress back out and probably would have been available in an emergency situation.

“He is as tough as they come. It’s a situation where it’s a little bit of bad luck, but he’s a tough cookie and my guess is he’ll be ready for us next week.”

Campbell is notoriously opaque about injuries, but Brock being on the field with his helmet – a sign the training staff hadn’t ruled him out – means he’s probably got a real chance at playing at Oklahoma State.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Mailbag: Can Iowa State football win at Oklahoma State?