Most people think college football rivalries are built on hatred. They think about the Iron Bowl or the Egg Bowl—games where people genuinely want to see the other side's stadium burn down. But Iowa State vs Kansas State football is different. It’s built on respect, shared soil, and a weird sense of "we’re the only ones who get each other."
They call it Farmageddon.
It’s one of the oldest, most consistent things in American sports. Since 1917, these two have played every single year. Through the Spanish Flu, through World War II, through the chaotic collapse of the Big 8 and the Big 12. For over a century, the Cyclones and Wildcats have met on the grass, usually with a lot of wind blowing across the plains.
But things are changing. The "longest uninterrupted series" title is officially on a timer because of conference realignment. If you aren't paying attention now, you’re missing the sunset of an era.
The Ireland Experiment and the 2025 Shocker
The most recent chapter of this rivalry didn't even happen in the Midwest. In August 2025, they took the whole show to Dublin, Ireland. Imagine 22,000 farmers and alumni from Iowa and Kansas descending on Temple Bar. It was the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium, and honestly, nobody knew how the "Farmageddon" vibe would translate to Europe.
It translated just fine.
Iowa State walked away with a 24-21 win. It was vintage Matt Campbell football. Rocco Becht was the star, throwing for two touchdowns and running for a third. He looked poised, which is saying something considering the jet lag and the pressure of a Top-25 matchup on international TV.
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Kansas State had their chances. Avery Johnson, the Wildcats' electric quarterback, threw for 273 yards. But turnovers killed them. Two fumbles and a turnover on downs at their own 30-yard line basically handed the game to the Cyclones.
"He called a great play... I knew we were going to have a chance to get it," Rocco Becht said after a ballsy fourth-and-3 conversion that iced the game.
That win was also a massive milestone for Matt Campbell. It was his 100th career coaching victory. Doing it in Dublin against your biggest historical rival? You can't write it better than that.
Why This Rivalry Actually Matters
If you look at the all-time record, it’s remarkably close. After the 2025 game, Iowa State leads the series 55-50-4. That kind of parity is rare. Usually, one team dominates for twenty years (like K-State did under Bill Snyder) and then the other takes a turn.
But why do people care about Iowa State vs Kansas State football specifically?
Basically, both schools are the "other" team in their own states. Iowa has the Hawkeyes. Kansas has the Jayhawks (at least in basketball). The Cyclones and Wildcats are the land-grant, ag-heavy schools that often feel like they’re fighting for respect from the national media.
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- Longevity: 108 consecutive years of playing.
- Culture: Both fan bases are known for showing up in sub-zero weather with a grill and a positive attitude.
- The "Snyder" Factor: Bill Snyder once won 10 straight against the Cyclones. It felt like ISU would never beat him.
- The "Campbell" Era: Since Matt Campbell took over, the tide has shifted. Iowa State has now won five of the last six meetings.
The Death of the Streak
Here is the part that sucks for traditionalists. The Big 12 is growing. With 16 teams in the mix, the conference decided they couldn't protect every rivalry. They only protected four.
Farmageddon wasn't one of them.
The 2026 game in Ames will be the 110th consecutive meeting. After that? The schedule for 2027 doesn't have them playing. The "longest never-interrupted series in college football" will officially end its streak.
It’s a corporate decision. The conference wants every team to play every other team home and away within a four-year window. To do that, some old ties had to be cut. Fans are pissed, obviously. On Reddit and message boards, the sentiment is pretty clear: the suit-and-tie guys in the conference offices don't value the history that makes college football special.
Iowa State’s athletic department even pointed out that ticket sales for the game in Manhattan haven't always been huge. That’s a cold, hard business fact that hurts the "protected rivalry" argument.
Rocco Becht vs. Avery Johnson: The Modern Era
The rivalry has moved past the "three yards and a cloud of dust" stereotype. These days, it’s about elite quarterback play.
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Rocco Becht has become the face of Iowa State’s resurgence. He isn't the flashiest runner, but he’s accurate and he doesn't blink in the fourth quarter. In the 2024 matchup at Jack Trice Stadium, Becht led the Cyclones to a 29-21 victory in freezing conditions. It was a game defined by a weird 4th-quarter safety and a lot of grit.
On the other side, Avery Johnson is the most talented athlete K-State has had under center in a long time. He’s fast. He’s got a cannon. But the Iowa State "Jon Heacock" defense seems to have his number. They play a three-safety look that makes it really hard for a young quarterback to find open windows.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at the future of Iowa State vs Kansas State football, here is what you need to keep in mind for the next few years of matchups:
- Watch the Home Field: Since 2020, the home team hasn't been the lock you’d expect. Iowa State has won in Manhattan, and K-State has won in Ames. The Ireland game proved these teams travel well enough to negate home-field advantage.
- The Underdog usually covers: This series is notorious for being close. Five of the last seven games were decided by one score. If the spread is more than 7 points, taking the points is usually the smart move.
- The 2026 Finale: Mark your calendars for the 2026 game in Ames. It will be the last "continuous" game. Expect ticket prices to be astronomical as fans try to witness the end of an era.
- Recruiting Battles: Both teams are now fighting for the same 3-star and 4-star kids in the Midwest and Florida. The winner of this game usually gets a massive leg up in recruiting during the December signing period.
The rivalry might be losing its "continuous" status, but the intensity isn't going anywhere. Whether it's played in Dublin or a snowy Ames parking lot, Farmageddon remains the heartbeat of the Big 12.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, you should track the injury reports for Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht specifically, as both programs have struggled when their QB1 is sidelined. Also, keep an eye on the Big 12's future scheduling announcements for 2028 and beyond; there is a high probability the schools will try to schedule each other as a "non-conference" game once the mandatory rotation ends.