If you aren't from the Midwest, you probably look at the score of a typical Iowa football vs Iowa State game and think something went horribly wrong. A 10-7 final? A triple-overtime slog that looks more like a wrestling meet than a football game? Honestly, that is exactly how we like it. This isn't just a game; it's a 365-day-a-year argument that happens to culminate in a Saturday afternoon where nobody can seem to find the end zone.
The Cy-Hawk series is one of the most polarizing rivalries in college football because it refuses to be "modern." While the rest of the country is chasing high-flying offenses and 50-point explosions, the Hawkeyes and Cyclones are perfectly happy to punt the ball into a different zip code and wait for a special teams error. It’s chaotic. It’s stressful. And lately, it’s been trending in a direction that has fans in Iowa City a little bit nervous.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cy-Hawk Series
Most national pundits look at the all-time record and assume Iowa dominates this. Sure, the Hawkeyes lead the series 47-25. But if you’ve actually sat through these games over the last decade, you know that number is incredibly misleading. Since 2017, eleven of the last thirteen meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. Basically, if you’re betting on this game, you might as well flip a coin.
There is a weird myth that home-field advantage matters here. It doesn't. In fact, until Iowa State broke the curse in 2025 with a 16-13 win in Ames, the home team hadn't won a game in this series since 2018. The road team dominated for years. There’s something about the pressure of the home crowd in Jack Trice or Kinnick that seems to make the players tighten up.
The 2025 Recap: A Defensive Masterclass (or a Nightmare)
On September 6, 2025, the Cyclones did something they hadn't done in a while: they defended their home turf. The final score was 16-13. It was a classic "El Assico" performance.
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Iowa State came into that game with a ton of momentum, having already knocked off Kansas State in a neutral-site opener in Dublin. Meanwhile, Iowa was trying to find its identity under offensive coordinator Tim Lester. The Hawkeyes had a new weapon in quarterback Mark Gronowski, a transfer who brought a massive resume of wins from the FCS level. But in Ames, the Cyclones' defense, led by Matt Campbell’s staff, squeezed the life out of the Iowa run game.
Key Stats from the 2025 Matchup:
- Score: Iowa State 16, Iowa 13
- The Decider: A late field goal that sent the Ames crowd into a frenzy.
- Winning Streak: Iowa State has now won two in a row (2024 and 2025).
- Home Drought Ended: This was the first home-team victory in the series since the 2018 season.
It wasn't pretty. It was gritty. It was exactly what you expect when these two programs meet. Iowa's defense did its part—they’ve allowed fewer than 20 points per game for nearly a decade now—but you can't win if you can't capitalize on field position.
The Kirk Ferentz vs. Matt Campbell Chess Match
You can’t talk about Iowa football vs Iowa State without mentioning the guys on the sidelines. Kirk Ferentz is a literal legend. By the time the 2025 game rolled around, he was chasing the record for the most wins by a Big Ten coach, looking to pass Woody Hayes. He’s been in Iowa City since 1999. Think about that. Most of the players on the field weren’t even born when he took the job.
On the other side, Matt Campbell has become the most successful coach in Iowa State history. For years, people thought he’d leave for a "bigger" job. He stayed. He built a culture that mirrors Ferentz's—tough, developmental, and slightly stubborn.
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Ferentz currently holds a 14-11 record against Iowa State. That’s a solid winning percentage, but Campbell has really closed the gap recently. The coaching styles are remarkably similar, which is why the games always feel like two mirrors staring at each other. Both teams want to run the ball, play sound defense, and avoid the "big mistake."
The Weird History You Probably Forgot
Did you know these teams didn't play for 43 years? From 1935 to 1976, the rivalry was dead. Legend has it that Iowa's then-athletic director Ossie Solem just stopped returning calls. He didn't want to play them. It took a massive push from the state legislature and the Greater Des Moines Athletic Club to get the game back on the calendar in 1977.
And let’s talk about the trophy. The Cy-Hawk Trophy has had more "work" done than a Hollywood starlet. The original was a classic 70s design. Then, in 2011, they tried to replace it with a trophy featuring a farm family huddled around corn. The fans absolutely hated it. It was mocked so relentlessly that they had to scrap it and design a new one—the one we see today with the mascots and the football.
Why the 2026 Meeting in Iowa City is Massive
Mark your calendars for September 12, 2026. The series returns to Kinnick Stadium. For the Hawkeyes, this is a revenge game. Losing two in a row to your "little brother" is one thing, but losing three? That starts to change the narrative of the entire state.
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Iowa will likely be leaning heavily on their defensive continuity. By 2026, their defensive schemes under Phil Parker will have a decade of "top 20" finishes under their belt. But Iowa State is no longer the underdog that just hopes to keep it close. They are 2-0 in their last two trips to Iowa City.
What to watch for in 2026:
- The Quarterback Battle: Will Iowa finally have an explosive passing game, or will they stay true to their ground-and-pound roots?
- The Streak: Can Iowa State make it three in a row for the first time since the early 2000s?
- Kinnick Magic: The atmosphere in Iowa City for a night-game Cy-Hawk is arguably the best in the country.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on attending or betting on the next Iowa football vs Iowa State game, keep these "expert" rules in mind:
- Ignore the Rankings: It doesn't matter if one team is Top 10 and the other is unranked. In 2005, an unranked Iowa State team crushed #8 Iowa 23-3. Throw the AP Poll in the trash for this week.
- The Under is Your Friend: Historically, these games stay low-scoring. Both coaches are conservative by nature. Unless there’s a massive weather shift, don't expect a shootout.
- Bet the Road Team (Usually): Even though Iowa State broke the trend in 2025, the road team is 5-1 in the last six meetings. There’s less pressure playing away from the "expectations" of the home crowd.
- Arrival Time: If you're going to Ames or Iowa City, get there at least 5 hours early. The tailgating for this game is the real event. The parking lots are often more entertaining than the first quarter.
The Cy-Hawk rivalry isn't just a football game; it's a cultural touchstone for the state of Iowa. It represents two programs that refuse to change their identity to fit modern trends. Whether it's a 16-13 grind or a 44-41 triple-overtime thriller, it remains the most authentic game on the college football calendar. Keep an eye on the injury reports and the weather as we approach the 2026 kickoff, because in this series, the smallest detail always decides the trophy's home.