If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a cornfield in late November, you know that bone-chilling wind that feels like it’s slicing right through your parka. That is exactly what playing Iowa State football Kansas State feels like. It’s gritty. It’s unglamorous. Honestly, it’s the most "Midwest" thing you can possibly experience without actually driving a tractor.
But something is shifting.
We’re sitting here in early 2026, and the landscape of this rivalry—affectionately or terrifyingly known as Farmageddon—is unrecognizable compared to just two years ago. We’ve seen coaching legends walk away. We’ve seen games played across the Atlantic Ocean in Ireland. Now, as we look toward the 2026 meeting in Ames, the stakes have evolved from "who gets the brass trophy" to "who survives the new Big 12 meat grinder."
The End of an Era: New Faces on the Sidelines
Let’s be real for a second. For years, this game was a chess match between Matt Campbell and Chris Klieman. It was predictable in its unpredictability. But the 2025 season changed everything. With Chris Klieman retiring at the end of 2025 and Matt Campbell moving on after a decade in Ames, we are officially in the "Next Gen" era of Iowa State football Kansas State.
Taking the reigns in Manhattan is Collin Klein. Yeah, that Collin Klein. The former K-State Heisman finalist quarterback is now the head man, and he's already making waves by hiring Sean Gleeson away from Missouri to run the offense. It’s a full-circle moment that has the Little Apple buzzing.
Meanwhile, over in Ames, Jimmy Rogers has stepped into the hot seat. Coming off a massive run at South Dakota State and a stint at Washington State, Rogers is trying to maintain that "five-star culture" Campbell built. He brought back Tyler Roehl from the Detroit Lions to coordinate the offense. If you like smash-mouth football with a modern twist, these two coaching hires are basically a dream come true.
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Why 2025 Changed the Narrative
Most people think of Farmageddon as a cold, snowy affair in the plains. Last year, they threw that script in the trash. The two teams opened the season in Dublin, Ireland, at Aviva Stadium.
I remember watching that game and thinking, "The Irish have no idea what they’re in for." It was a classic 24-21 nail-biter. Rocco Becht, who has really matured into a poise-heavy leader for the Cyclones, threw for two touchdowns and scrambled for another late in the fourth.
K-State’s Avery Johnson was electric, too. He’s arguably the fastest player to ever wear purple, but Iowa State’s "three-high safety" look—a staple that Jimmy Rogers is keeping around—managed to bottle him up just enough. That 24-21 win for the Cyclones was their third straight in the series, giving them a 55-50-4 lead in the all-time history.
The Quarterback Duel: Becht vs. Johnson
If you want to understand the future of Iowa State football Kansas State, you have to look at the signal-callers.
- Rocco Becht (ISU): He’s the guy who doesn’t rattle. In 2025, he put up over 2,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. He isn't going to blow you away with a 70-yard run, but he will convert a 3rd-and-12 with a laser to the sideline.
- Avery Johnson (KSU): He is pure "blink-and-you-miss-him" speed. He accounted for nearly 2,400 yards through the air in 2025 but remains a constant threat to break a 60-yarder on any given snap.
The contrast in styles is what makes this matchup so compelling for 2026. Becht wants to methodically dismantle you; Johnson wants to set the grass on fire.
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The Scheduling Crisis: Is Farmageddon Dying?
Here is the part that actually sucks. Because of the Big 12 expansion—we're at 16 teams now, if you've lost count—the conference didn't "protect" this rivalry. That means it’s no longer a guaranteed yearly event.
The 2026 game at Jack Trice Stadium is on the books. But after that? The streak is scheduled to break in 2027. This is a travesty for college football purists. We’re talking about a series that has been played every single year since 1917. Through world wars, pandemics, and conference realignments, these two always found each other.
The fact that it isn’t a protected rivalry like the "Sunflower Showdown" or the "Cy-Hawk" is a mistake by the Big 12 office. Period. Fans in Ames and Manhattan might disagree on a lot, but they agree on this: the game belongs on the schedule every November.
What to Expect in Ames for 2026
When K-State rolls into Ames this coming season, expect a heavy dose of the run game. Iowa State has leaned into Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III, a duo that provides a "thunder and lightning" dynamic.
K-State, under Collin Klein, is expected to be more aggressive vertically. With Sean Gleeson calling plays, don't be surprised if they try to test the Cyclones' young secondary early.
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The atmosphere at Jack Trice for this one will be different. It’s a "new" rivalry now. The coaches are young. The schemes are evolving. But the hatred? That’s still very much vintage.
Strategies for the 2026 Matchup
If you're betting on or just analyzing this game, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- Red Zone Efficiency: In the 2025 matchup, Iowa State won because they settled for fewer field goals.
- Turnover Margin: Both teams averaged about two turnovers per game last year. In a rivalry this close, the first team to blink usually loses.
- The "Ames Effect": Night games at Jack Trice are where Top 10 dreams go to die. If this gets scheduled for a 6:30 PM kickoff, advantage Cyclones.
To get the most out of the upcoming season, start tracking the spring portal moves for both programs. Collin Klein is already looking for a veteran wideout to pair with Avery Johnson, while Jimmy Rogers is scouring the ranks for an experienced linebacker to replace the departing seniors.
Keep an eye on the official Big 12 schedule release in February to see where this game lands. If it’s late November again, prepare for the cold. If it’s earlier, expect a high-scoring track meet. Either way, Farmageddon is the pulse of the Big 12, and 2026 is going to be a wild ride.