Predicting the 2026 Iowa State Football Season: The Jimmy Rogers Era Begins
· Yahoo Sports
A new era of Iowa State football kicks off Sept 5. Jimmy Rogers takes the reins of a program with high expectations and a fanbase ready to see what he can build. Here is my game by game prediction for the 2026 season.
Sept 5 — vs Southeast Missouri — W
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The Jimmy Rogers era opens at home against Southeast Missouri. Iowa State beat the Redhawks 42 to 10 the last time these two met in 2022 and there is no reason to expect anything different this time around. A comfortable home opener to get the new regime started on the right foot.
Sept 12 — at Iowa — W
Iowa State has won three of the last four in this series and is gunning for three straight wins in Iowa City for the first time since 1998 to 2002. This game is never easy but the Cyclones have the edge in recent history and the Cy-Hawk series always seems to find a way to go Iowa State’s way lately. We get it done in Iowa City.
Sept 19 — vs Bowling Green — W
A tune up game at home before Big 12 play begins. Iowa State handles business. Moving on.
Sept 26 — vs Utah — W
The Big 12 opener at home against Utah is a real test but Hilton Jack Trice is rocking for the first conference game of the Rogers era. Iowa State takes care of home court and starts Big 12 play with a statement win.
Oct 3 — vs West Virginia — L
This one hurts because it is at home. West Virginia comes into Ames and steals one in a close game. The kind of loss that stings for a week but does not derail the season. Sometimes the ball just does not bounce your way.
Oct 9 — at BYU — L
Provo is one of the toughest road environments in the Big 12. BYU at home is a handful for anyone. Iowa State drops this one on the road and the schedule gets a little tighter heading into the back half of the season.
Oct 24 — at Arizona — W
Iowa State goes into Tucson and comes out with a big road win (I assure you I don’t have ISU taking care of business against Arizona just because I’ll be in attendance). Arizona has been a premier program but the Cyclones are built for this moment. A statement victory that keeps bowl hopes very much alive. This is the game of the season.
Oct 31 — at Oklahoma State — L
Oklahoma State is my pick to win the Big 12 this season. Going into Stillwater on Halloween weekend against a championship caliber program is a tough ask. Iowa State fights but comes up short against the best team in the conference (my opinion).
Nov 7 — vs Baylor — L
A tough home loss that nobody sees coming. Baylor comes into Ames and takes care of business. The kind of game that makes college football maddening and beautiful at the same time.
Nov 14 — vs Cincinnati — W
Iowa State needs this one and gets it. A home win against Cincinnati steadies the ship and keeps the Cyclones bowl eligible heading into the final stretch.
Nov 20 — at UCF — W
A road trip to Orlando with real stakes. Iowa State handles UCF and picks up a crucial conference win away from home.
Nov 28 — vs Kansas State — L
The regular season finale on Black Friday at home against Kansas State. The Wildcats come in and close out Iowa State’s regular season with a loss. A tough way to end the home schedule but the bowl ticket is already punched.
Final Record: 7-5
Seven wins in Jimmy Rogers’ first season as head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones. A bowl game. A program moving in the right direction. It is not a championship season but it is a foundation worth building on.