SHEPHERDSTOWN — Forget the stretch run with games against Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU and Oklahoma!

Get focused on previously tame and docile Iowa State, now 2-3 after stopping Oklahoma State on the road last week.

The Cyclones have conference losses to TCU (by three points on the road) and Oklahoma (by 10 points).

When beating Oklahoma State, the Cyclones inserted freshman quarterback Brock Purdy in the first quarter, and the mostly-untried youngster proceeded to complete 18-of-23 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Purdy also ran 19 times for 84 yards and a score. He could be forgiven for his one interception.

Iowa State is often penciled in as a “win” when they meet any conference rival other than Kansas. But not this year.

Playing at home at Jack Trice Stadium at night, will bring out the noisy fans thirsting for victories in droves, waiting to waylay sixth-ranked West Virginia and its unbeaten 5-0 overall record.

The so-called Red Zone — where WVU had scored on every possession prior to the Kansas game — was where Mountaineer quarterback Will Greer threw three interceptions against the Jayhawks. Grier also lost a fumble deep in Kansas territory.

Picking through the statistics from the Kansas game, the Mountaineers had a 21-7 lead by halftime, and finished the warm afternoon with 29 first downs. There were 509 yards of total offense, with Grier completing 28-of-41 throws, with the three Red Zone interceptions making a few stains on his afternoon’s work. Leddie Brown ran 11 times for 107 yards, and David Sills V had seven catches for 74 yards and a second-half touchdown.

The Mountaineers had 10 players, with at least one pass reception.

Is this the sixth-best team in the country? Only Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame are ranked higher.

Has Iowa state finally shed its coat, tattered and torn for years by conference teams?

That group of four dangerous teams lumped at the end of the regular season will have to wait.

Iowa State now commands everybody’s attention. The Cyclones can beat you. Ask Coach Mike Gundy and his Oklahoma State Cowboys.