In this week’s Murphy’s Law, the Cyclones show how much winning still matters, and they were doing it when Cam Ward played, and when he didn’t. Meantime, the Pop-Tarts bowl knows how to fun at a time all non-CFP bowls need to adjust.

Despite not making the playoffs, both Miami and Iowa State believe participating in the Pop-Tarts Bowl is an important way to close the season.

Iowa State and Miami weren’t far off from playing in the first 12-team College Football Playoff. The Cyclones made it as far as the Big 12 championship, which they lost to Arizona State, while the Hurricanes missed out on a trip to the ACC game after losing to Syracuse in the regular-season finale.

Miami boasted the top-scoring offense in the country, but Iowa State football hung with it every step of the way before winning a thriller.

The Iowa State football team puts a wrap on the 2024 season when they take on Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday afternoon. Following a long few weeks, the Cyclones (10-3) and Hurricanes (10-2) square off in one of the marquee non-College Football Playoff bowl games.