Iowa State Football’s 2026 Schedule Is Set - And It’s a New Era in Ames
There’s a fresh chapter beginning in Ames, and it officially kicks off this fall. Jimmy Rogers, the new man in charge of Iowa State football, now has his first full schedule as head coach - and it’s a slate that offers both opportunity and challenge as the Cyclones navigate a new-look Big 12.
The 2026 season opens at home on September 5 against Southeast Missouri State, giving Rogers a chance to set the tone early at Jack Trice Stadium. But things ramp up quickly. Just two weeks later, Iowa State heads to Iowa City for the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game on September 12 - a matchup that’s always circled on the calendar, and this year, it carries a little extra weight.
Rivalry Stakes and Early Season Storylines
The Cyclones have a shot at something they haven’t done in over two decades: win three straight games against Iowa. The last time they pulled that off?
1998 to 2002, when they rattled off five in a row. A win in Week 2 wouldn’t just keep the streak alive - it would be a statement from Rogers in his first rivalry appearance.
That game is sandwiched between two nonconference home matchups: the opener against Southeast Missouri and a September 19 contest against Bowling Green. That Bowling Green game will have some added intrigue, as it marks a reunion for two recent Cyclone transfers - running back Cameron Pettaway and defensive back Keyon Washington - who will line up against their former team.
Big 12 Play Brings New Faces and Long Road Trips
Conference play begins September 26 with a visit from Utah - one of the newer additions to the Big 12 and now under the leadership of Morgan Scalley, who was promoted from defensive coordinator. That game is the start of a nine-game conference grind that features five home games and four road trips, including some serious mileage.
Home games include matchups against Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Cincinnati, and West Virginia. The road slate is a test of endurance and focus, with trips to Arizona, Baylor, BYU, and UCF. That’s a coast-to-coast itinerary that’s becoming more common in this expanded Big 12, and it’ll test the depth and resilience of Rogers’ first Cyclone squad.
Among the coaching matchups to watch: Oklahoma State is now led by Eric Morris, who made the jump from North Texas, and Kansas State is turning the reins over to Collin Klein - a Wildcat legend and former Texas A&M offensive coordinator. These games won’t just be about wins and losses; they’ll be early measuring sticks for how Rogers stacks up against other first-year Power Conference head coaches.
A Well-Timed Bye and a Familiar Finish
After having multiple open dates in the past two seasons, Iowa State gets just one bye week in 2026 - and it comes at a crucial time. The Cyclones are off on October 17, right in the middle of the schedule, following a road trip to BYU and before heading west again to face Arizona. That break could be key in regrouping for the final stretch.
The regular season wraps up on November 28 with a home game against Kansas State - a rivalry that’s quietly built its own history. Iowa State has a chance to win four straight in the series, something it hasn’t done since the late ‘80s. That finale could carry postseason implications, but even if it doesn’t, it’ll be a meaningful benchmark in Rogers’ first year at the helm.
The Full 2026 Iowa State Football Schedule:
- Saturday, September 5 - vs. Southeast Missouri State
- Saturday, September 12 - at Iowa
- Saturday, September 19 - vs.
Bowling Green
- Saturday, September 26 - vs.
Utah
- Saturday, October 3 - vs.
West Virginia (Homecoming)
- Saturday, October 10 - at BYU
- Saturday, October 17 - BYE
- Saturday, October 24 - at Arizona
- Saturday, October 31 - vs. Oklahoma State
- Saturday, November 7 - at Baylor
- Saturday, November 14 - vs.
Cincinnati
- Saturday, November 21 - at UCF
- Saturday, November 28 - vs. Kansas State
Kickoff times are still to be announced, but the roadmap is clear. For Jimmy Rogers and Iowa State, 2026 is more than just a new season - it’s the beginning of a new identity. And with rivalry streaks on the line, cross-country showdowns, and a reshaped Big 12 landscape, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow this fall in Ames.