ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Charlie Kolar grew up a diehard Oklahoma fan but his hometown Sooners never offered a scholarship. The new coach at Iowa State did, before the Cyclones were championship contenders.

Now in coach Matt Campbell's fifth season, the No. 8 Cyclones (8-2, 8-1 Big 12, No. 6 CFP) play in the school's first-ever conference championship game Saturday. They take on No. 12 Oklahoma (7-2, 6-2, No. 10 CFP), the five-time defending Big 12 champion they beat earlier this season.