College football is a weird, beautiful mess. One day you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re just trying to figure out how a season went so spectacularly off the rails. If you’ve followed the Big 12 lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to the Iowa State vs Oklahoma State football dynamic.
Historically, this hasn't always been the "marquee" game on the national calendar, but for anyone who actually watches this conference, it’s usually where the chaos lives. Whether it’s 2011's BCS-wrecking upset or the 2025 regular-season finale we just witnessed, these two teams have a knack for playing games that make you want to pull your hair out.
The 2025 Meltdown and the Cycle of Revenge
Honestly, looking at the 2025 season, nobody expected Oklahoma State to sink as low as they did. They finished 1-11. It’s almost hard to wrap your head around that if you’ve watched Mike Gundy’s program for the last two decades. But there they were, on November 29, 2025, hosting Iowa State at Boone Pickens Stadium for Senior Day.
Iowa State came in with a 7-4 record, looking to polish their resume for a decent bowl.
The game was a grinder. Rocco Becht was under center for the Cyclones, and while he didn't put up video game numbers, he did enough. He found Chase Sowell for a crucial touchdown in the second quarter.
But then, the typical "Pokes at home" weirdness started.
Even though the Cowboys were overmatched on paper, they just wouldn't quit. They put together this massive 14-play, 80-yard drive that ate up seven minutes of the clock. Trent Howland punched it in, and suddenly it was a game again. It stayed that way—tense, ugly, and physically punishing—until the final whistle.
Key Stats from the 2025 Matchup
- Final Score: Iowa State 20, Oklahoma State 13
- Leading Rusher: Abu Sama (40-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter)
- Field Goals: Kyle Konrardy went 2-for-2, proving again why he’s one of the best legs in the Big 12.
- Turnovers: Iowa State’s Drew Surges snagged an interception that effectively killed the Cowboys' momentum late.
Iowa State finished 8-4. Oklahoma State finished with their worst record in recent memory, going winless in Big 12 play for the second straight season. It's a massive fall from grace for a program that used to be a lock for ten wins.
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Why This Series Hits Different
The Iowa State vs Oklahoma State football series isn't a traditional "rivalry" with a fancy trophy or a catchy name like Farmageddon or Bedlam. But don't tell that to the fans. Since their first meeting in 1926, Oklahoma State has held the edge—the lead currently sits at 34-22-3—but the last decade has been a total tug-of-war.
Matt Campbell has really changed the vibe of this matchup. Before he arrived in Ames, Iowa State was often the "easy win" on the schedule. Not anymore. Since 2016, these games are almost always decided by a single possession.
Think back to 2011. It’s the game every Oklahoma State fan wants to forget. The Cowboys were ranked No. 2, cruising toward a National Championship appearance. Then they went to Ames on a Friday night.
Double overtime. 37-31.
The Cyclones shattered the BCS. That single game is probably responsible for more "what-if" conversations in Stillwater than any other moment in history. It also cemented the idea that you can never, ever sleep on the Cyclones when they're playing at home or under the lights.
The Coaching Contrast
You've got two very different philosophies at work here. On one side, you had the long-term stability of Mike Gundy—the man with the mullet (though he's trimmed it lately) and the "I'm a man, I'm 40" energy. On the other, Matt Campbell, who is basically the poster child for "doing more with less."
Campbell has now put together five seasons of eight or more wins at Iowa State (2017, 2018, 2020, 2024, and 2025). That's legendary status in Ames.
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Oklahoma State, however, is in a state of flux. With Doug Meacham stepping in as interim head coach during the 2025 collapse, the identity of Cowboy football is currently being rewritten. The 2025 game was Senior Day, but it felt more like a "goodbye to an era" than a celebration.
Tactical Breakdown: How the Games Are Won
Usually, when these two meet, it’s a battle of styles. Oklahoma State historically wants to spread you out and go fast. They want to tire out your defensive line and hit big plays over the top.
Iowa State is the opposite. They want to suffocate you.
Jon Heacock, the Cyclones' defensive coordinator, is famous for that three-safety look that basically revolutionized how Big 12 teams defend the pass. It forces teams like Oklahoma State to be patient, and let’s be real, college kids aren't always patient.
In the 2025 game, you saw exactly how this works. Oklahoma State tried to move the ball, but they kept getting slapped with penalties. They’d get a decent gain, then a holding call would put them in 3rd-and-15. Against a Matt Campbell defense, 3rd-and-long is a death sentence.
"We just couldn't stay out of our own way," an interim staffer noted after the game. "You can't give a disciplined team like Iowa State extra chances."
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about Iowa State vs Oklahoma State football is that the talent gap is massive. People look at recruiting rankings and assume the Cowboys should roll every year.
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But rankings don't account for "Cyclone Culture."
Iowa State recruits specifically for their system. They find guys who are slightly undersized or overlooked and turn them into NFL-caliber defenders. Carson Hansen, the ISU running back who topped 100 total yards for five straight games to end 2025, is a perfect example. He’s not a five-star recruit, but he runs like he’s trying to break through a brick wall.
What’s Next for Both Programs?
If you're an Iowa State fan, you're feeling great. 8-4 is a solid season, and Rocco Becht is returning with another year of experience under his belt. The defense is young, but they're already playing like vets.
If you're in Stillwater, it's time for a hard reset.
1-11 is unacceptable for a program with the resources and history of Oklahoma State. The coaching search is the only thing people are talking about at Eskimo Joe's right now. They need a recruiter who can hit the portal hard because, as we saw in 2025, 54% of their roster were newcomers and it just didn't click.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Lines: In future matchups, keep an eye on Iowa State's offensive line development. They were the unsung heroes of the 2025 victory, keeping Becht clean and opening holes for Sama.
- Stillwater is still a tough out: Even in their worst year ever, Oklahoma State only lost by seven. Never bet the house against the Cowboys at home, no matter how bad their record is.
- Keep an eye on the portal: Oklahoma State is expected to be one of the most active teams in the transfer portal this offseason to fix their depth issues.
The Big 12 is changing. With Texas and Oklahoma gone to the SEC, the "middle class" of the conference—teams like Iowa State and Oklahoma State—are now the ones fighting for the throne. 2025 was a weird year where the hierarchy flipped, but if history tells us anything, the Cowboys won't stay down for long, and the Cyclones will be right there waiting for them next November.