It’s called Farmageddon. Honestly, if that name doesn’t immediately make you want to crack a beer and plant yourself on a sofa for four hours, I’m not sure what will. We’re talking about Iowa State K State, a rivalry that has quietly become one of the most consistent, gritty, and flat-out weird fixtures in college football. While the SEC is busy preening for the cameras and the Big Ten is counting its television money, the Cyclones and Wildcats are usually beating the literal snot out of each other in the freezing wind.
It’s personal.
Most people don’t realize this is one of the longest continuous rivalries in the sport. They’ve played every single year since 1917. Think about that for a second. Through world wars, pandemics, and the total collapse of the old Big 12, these two schools have shown up to settle things on the gridiron. There’s no fancy trophy. No gold-plated bucket or Paul Bunyan’s axe. It’s just about pride and, usually, deciding who gets to be the dark horse in the conference title race.
The Weirdness of Farmageddon
What makes the Iowa State K State matchup so distinct is the mirror-image nature of the programs. You’ve got two schools in mid-sized, agriculture-heavy towns—Ames and Manhattan—where the wind blows sideways and the fans are legitimately nice until the kickoff happens.
Success for both programs isn't built on five-star recruits from Miami. It’s built on "development." That's the buzzword coaches like Matt Campbell and Chris Klieman love to use, but it basically means finding a kid from rural Kansas or a suburb in Iowa and turning him into a terrifying human being over four years.
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Why the 2024 and 2025 Meetings Changed Everything
For a long time, this was a game played for third or fourth place. But lately? Everything shifted. When Avery Johnson took over the reigns at Kansas State, the dynamic changed. He’s fast. Like, "track star in football pads" fast. On the other side, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht proved that the Cyclones weren't going back to the basement after the Brock Purdy era.
The 2024 game was a prime example of why you can't trust the betting lines here. It was snowy. It was ugly. It was perfect. Iowa State walked into Manhattan and snatched a victory that felt like a heist. That’s the thing about Farmageddon—the home-field advantage is real, but the "spite factor" is higher.
The Coaching Chess Match: Campbell vs. Klieman
You can't talk about Iowa State K State without talking about the guys on the sidelines. Matt Campbell is basically the patron saint of Ames at this point. He’s turned down NFL jobs and bigger college gigs because he seemingly loves the grind of the Big 12. He coaches with a specific kind of intensity that matches the "Iowa State or No One" mantra.
Then you have Chris Klieman.
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Coming from the North Dakota State dynasty, Klieman brought a "power-run-down-your-throat" mentality to Manhattan. He didn't try to reinvent the wheel that Bill Snyder built; he just put better tires on it. When these two teams meet, it’s a tactical war. It’s not about who has the flashiest playbook. It’s about who can execute a zone-block on 3rd and 2 when the temperature is 18 degrees and the stadium is shaking.
- The Turnover Margin: In almost every meeting over the last decade, the team that wins the turnover battle wins the game. It’s rarely a blowout.
- Special Teams Sabotage: Kansas State is famous for "special teams U." They block punts. They return kickoffs. Iowa State fans have PTSD from years of K-State finding ways to score without their offense even being on the field.
- The Snow Factor: Since this game is often played late in November, weather isn't just a backdrop; it’s a participant.
Misconceptions About the Rivalry
A lot of national pundits think this is a "friendly" rivalry because the fanbases have a lot in common. They call it the "Farmageddon" because of the ag-school roots. Don't let the polite tailgating fool you. There is a deep-seated resentment here.
K-State fans remember the "Snow Bowl" and the years where Iowa State played spoiler to their national title hopes. Iowa State fans remember the decades of Bill Snyder's dominance where it felt like they couldn't buy a win against the Wildcats. It’s a rivalry of proximity and similarity. When you’re competing for the same recruits and the same slice of the national spotlight, things get salty.
The Impact of the New Big 12
With Texas and Oklahoma gone to the SEC, the Iowa State K State game has actually gained more importance. This isn't just a regional scrap anymore. This is often a de facto playoff game for the Big 12 Championship. The winner usually finds themselves in the mix for a 12-team playoff spot, while the loser is relegated to a mid-tier bowl game in Florida or Texas.
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The stakes have never been higher than they are right now. In 2025, the game served as a massive litmus test for the conference’s power structure. It proved that the "old guard" of the Big 12 still runs the show, even with all the new additions from the Pac-12 and the AAC.
What to Watch For Next Season
If you're looking at the future of Iowa State K State, keep an eye on the trenches. Both schools are leaning heavily into the offensive line depth. It’s not sexy. It doesn't make the SportsCenter Top 10. But it’s how these games are won.
Watch the linebackers. Both programs pride themselves on having "undersized" linebackers who play with a chip on their shoulder the size of a tractor. If you see a kid from a town of 400 people making 15 tackles in this game, don't be surprised. That’s just Farmageddon.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Check the Wind, Not Just the Temperature: Ames and Manhattan are wind tunnels. High winds kill the passing game for Iowa State more than they do for K-State’s run-heavy scheme.
- The "Home Dog" Rule: If either team is a home underdog in this matchup, take notice. The home crowd in this rivalry is worth at least four to five points, regardless of what the "experts" say.
- Watch the Red Zone: Iowa State tends to play a "bend-but-don't-break" defense. K-State is clinical in the red zone. The game is almost always decided by whether ISU can force field goals instead of touchdowns.
- Follow Local Beat Writers: To get the real scoop on injuries, skip the national outlets. Follow guys like Randy Peterson or the crew at Kellis Robinett’s beat. They see the stuff the national guys miss.
- Travel Early: If you're heading to the game, the tailgating is legendary. Both Jack Trice Stadium and Bill Snyder Family Stadium offer some of the best hospitality in the country, provided you aren't wearing the wrong shade of purple or red.
The reality is that Iowa State K State represents everything right with college football. It’s about history, geography, and a refusal to be overlooked. Whether it’s a defensive slugfest or a high-scoring shootout, you can bet your house on one thing: it won't be boring.