Des Moines usually feels like a cozy, midwestern hub where everyone is just one degree of separation from a cornfield or a state fair corn dog. But when you talk about Drake vs Iowa State, that neighborly vibe gets a little more pointed. It’s not just a game. Honestly, it’s a weird, lopsided, yet deeply personal clash between a massive Big 12 machine and a gritty private school that refuses to act like the underdog.
You've probably seen the stats. The Cyclones have the bigger stadium, the deeper pockets, and the national TV slots. But every time these two teams meet—whether it’s on the hardwood of the Knapp Center or a rain-soaked Jack Trice Stadium—the script gets thrown out the window.
The Basketball Tension Nobody Talks About
If you want to understand the real heat in Drake vs Iowa State, you have to look at the women’s basketball programs. While the men’s teams haven't played as frequently in recent years, the women’s series is a certified slugfest.
Just this past November 20, 2025, No. 12 Iowa State rolled into Des Moines and handed Drake an 87-60 loss. It sounds like a blowout, right? On paper, sure. But if you were in the building, you felt the "Blue Out" energy. Drake fans don't just show up to watch; they show up expecting to win. They remember 2023, when the Bulldogs actually took down the Cyclones 85-73.
Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly has always been vocal about how much he respects the Drake program. He knows that taking a bus 30 minutes south to Des Moines is a trap. Basically, if the Cyclones aren't 100% locked in, the Bulldogs will make them pay. The 2024-25 season was a perfect example. Iowa State barely escaped with an 80-78 win in Ames, thanks only to a last-second game-winner from Audi Crooks.
Drake’s Anna Miller and the rest of the Bulldog squad play with a chip on their shoulder that you just don't see in typical mid-major matchups. They aren't scared of the Big 12 patch on the opponent's jersey.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Men’s Basketball: A Historical Gap
On the men's side, the history is longer but the recent chapters are fewer. The last time the men’s teams played a meaningful regular-season game was back in December 2018. Iowa State won that one 77-68 at Wells Fargo Arena.
The all-time series leans heavily toward the Cyclones, who have 110 wins to Drake’s 65. That sounds like a lot, but consider the fact that they’ve been playing since 1908. For decades, this was an annual tradition. Nowadays, the scheduling is much more sporadic, which kinda sucks for local fans. People in central Iowa want to see these teams play every year. It’s better for the state. It’s better for the "Big Four" (Iowa, Iowa State, Drake, and UNI) ecosystem.
That One 2018 Football Game
We have to talk about the 2018 football game. It’s basically legendary at this point.
Iowa State needed a 12th game after a cancellation earlier in the season. Drake, a non-scholarship FCS team from the Pioneer Football League, answered the call. Most people thought it would be a 50-point blowout. The Cyclones were ranked No. 24 in the country at the time.
Instead, it was a nightmare for Ames and a dream for Des Moines.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
The weather was miserable. The field was a muddy mess. Drake actually led 24-20 in the third quarter after an interception by Kieran Severa. The stadium was dead silent. You could literally hear the collective heart rate of 50,000 Cyclone fans spiking.
Iowa State eventually won 27-24, but it felt like a moral victory for Drake. It proved that the talent gap in this state isn't as wide as the budget gap. David Montgomery had to carry the ball 33 times just to keep the Cyclones from the most embarrassing loss in school history.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
A lot of casual fans think this is just a "big school vs. little school" thing. That’s a lazy take.
The truth is that Drake vs Iowa State is about identity. Iowa State is the agricultural and engineering powerhouse, the "people's school." Drake is the prestigious private institution in the heart of the capital city. Many Drake alumni live in Ames, and plenty of ISU grads work in downtown Des Moines.
- Recruiting Overlap: They often go after the same kids. A player might choose Drake for the smaller campus and immediate playing time over being a role player at Iowa State.
- Coaching Ties: The coaching circles in Iowa are tiny. Everyone knows everyone.
- The "Big 12" Bias: Cyclone fans sometimes act like the game doesn't matter, but their reactions when they're losing suggest otherwise.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Bulldogs and Cyclones?
The landscape of college sports is changing fast. With conference realignment and the transfer portal, these regional non-conference games are becoming rarer. That’s a shame.
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
If you're a fan, you should be rooting for more Drake vs Iowa State matchups. It’s good for the local economy and great for the fans who can’t travel across the country to see a Big 12 conference game.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Women’s Series: If you want the most competitive version of this rivalry, the women's basketball game is the "must-see" event of the year in central Iowa.
- Support the Knapp Center: When Iowa State comes to Des Moines, the atmosphere at Drake’s home court is arguably better than any Big 12 road game. Get tickets early.
- Keep the Pressure on Schedules: Fan demand is the only thing that will keep the men's basketball series alive. Talk about it on social media, call into sports radio, and let the ADs know you want the game.
The gap between these two schools might be measured in miles, but on game day, it’s measured in inches. Whether it's a cold night in Ames or a rowdy afternoon in Des Moines, this rivalry remains the heartbeat of Iowa sports.
Keep an eye on the 2026-27 schedules as they start to drop. While the men's programs are still playing hard to get, the women's matchup is expected to return to Ames, where Drake will be looking for some serious redemption. Grab a seat, wear your colors, and don't expect a blowout. It rarely happens that way around here.