The 2011 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University as a member of Big 12 Conference during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Paul Rhoads, the Cyclones compiled an overall record of 6âÂÂ7 with a mark of 3âÂÂ6 in conference play, placing eighth in the Big 12. Iowa State was invited to the Pinstripe Bowl, where the Cyclones lost to Rutgers. The team played home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
On November 18, Iowa State upset No. 2 Oklahoma State, in a double-overtime thriller, knocking the Cowboys out of the BCS National Championship Game.