2026 Iowa State Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
Iowa State continues to have one of the more stable programs in the Big 12 under Matt Campbell. The Cyclones have consistently developed players and found ways to remain competitive without relying on having the most talented roster in the conference. That stability gives Iowa State a solid foundation heading into another season.
Jaylon Raynor could also be a sneaky-good addition for the Cyclones. If he develops into the quarterback Iowa State needs, he could give the offense more consistency and provide another reason for optimism. Iowa State also has an experienced roster in several areas, which should help the team avoid some of the mistakes that come with relying heavily on younger players.
What’s not to like:
Interceptions are a concern for Iowa State entering the season. Giving away possessions can completely change the outcome of close games, especially in a conference where many matchups are decided by a few plays. The offense needs to do a better job protecting the football and making smart decisions in critical situations.
The Cyclones also need to replace some important contributors from last season. Iowa State has developed enough depth to handle some turnover, but losing experienced players can still create weaknesses at certain positions. How quickly the younger players step into those roles will be important.
What does the Hourglass say?
Iowa State- Big 12 (7-5)
Power ranking 46.39.
2026 Iowa State Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #41- outside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Jimmy Rogers- 41st in Power 5 and 9th in the Big 12.
2026 coaching value= 18.2 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Jimmy Rogers is ranked lower of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: Jaylen Raynor- ranked 25th in the Power 4, 6th in the Big 12; 2026 QB value= 36.6 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Iowa State has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of . This puts the Cyclones at the lower tier for the Big 12 in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
Matt Campbell has created one of the more stable programs in the Big 12, and Iowa State should once again be a tough team to play. Jaylon Raynor gives the Cyclones an interesting option at quarterback, while the experienced roster should help them handle the demands of the season. Protecting the football and replacing important contributors will be the biggest challenges.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
9/5/26 SEMO- Win
9/12/26 At Iowa- Win
9/19/26 Bowling Green- Win
9/26/26 Utah- Loss
10/3/26 West Virginia- Win
10/9/26 At BYU- Win
10/24/26 At Arizona- Loss
10/31/26 Oklahoma State- Loss
11/7/26 At Baylor- Loss
11/14/26 Cincinnati- Win
11/20/26 At UCF- Win
11/28/26 Kansas State- Loss
