***2026 Iowa State Football Season Thread***

My theory is Taco Tech voted ISU to win. Assuming coaches can't vote for their own teams, their ego is so big, they didn't want to give BYU or other teams a vote over them, so picked the team they thought would be last.
My thought was that someone wanted to look like the genius in case the ASU situation happens again
 
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Im all in on Rogers. I say 9 wins this year!! He's a winner.
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Isn't UNI school colors black and gold . . . . . that's what I see most of their students/grads wearing.
My cousin is a UNI grad and got free tickets to Hok games from his bestest buddy. Im guessing that is how he became a tavern Hok.
 
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…and a douche. In my experience, it is the non-alumni that are the worst.
You are right, Although I know a UNI tavern Hok who missed his nephews wedding so he could see the Hoks play an FCS team and didn’t tell his brother
until after what he was gong to do.
Edit: his wife also a UNI grad is a seeetie and definitely not a hawk fan. I know a lot of UNI grads in southeast Iowa and they are among the best I’ve ever dealt with.
 
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Bill Connelly has his Big 12 preview out for ESPN based on his SP+ projections.


View attachment 171875

Iowa State Cyclones

Head coach: Jimmy Rogers (first year)

2026 projection: 64th in SP+, 5.3 average wins (3.2 in the Big 12)

Matt Campbell's 10-year tenure at Iowa State was transformative, with 72 wins and the Cyclones' first two AP top-15 finishes ever. Now we'll see if his departure is just as transformative. Over the past decade, ISU's attendance and investment levels have soared, and it sure seems that the infrastructure has grown quite sound. But until someone else captains this ship well, we don't know anyone else can.

Campbell left for Penn State, and 55 transfers took off as well, about half of them for PSU. No offensive returnee had more than 87 yards from scrimmage (or any passing yards) or took more than 48 snaps on the offensive line. On defense, 23 players saw at least 100 snaps last season, and five return. None had even 250 snaps.

This is one of the biggest teardowns in the country, and it's up to Rogers to make something of it. ISU could certainly do worse. Rogers went 27-3 in two seasons at South Dakota State, winning an elusive FCS national title in his first year succeeding John Stiegelmeier. And in one season at Washington State, he improved the Cougars from 68th to 61st in SP+ despite his team ranking 130th in returning production.

Most of Wazzu's success last year came from Jesse Bobbit's defense, and Rogers brought both Bobbit and 12 former Cougars, including six linemen, with him. Ends Isaac Terrell and Malaki Ta'ase are excellent. Other Group of 6 transfers such as nickel Malcolm Jones (Jacksonville State) and corner Keyon Washington (Bowling Green) could be important, and Rogers loaded up on smaller-school stars too, including end Caden Crawford (South Dakota) and linebacker Tristan Exline (Texas-Permian Basin).

I'm guessing Bobbit can make something pretty solid of the defense, which is good because I'm not sure about the offense. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor comes to Ames after throwing for 8,694 yards and rushing for 1,707 more at Arkansas State, and the receiving corps could have potential with newcomers such as Omari Hayes (Tulane) and Cody Jackson (Tarleton State). Seven new linemen bring starting experience to the table, and grabbing Tarleton State sophomore tackle Braden Smith might turn out to be astute. But there isn't as much ready-made talent as on the defensive side.

Apparently, Bill doesn't double check his work. From his own article (linked below) from post spring 2025 Washington State was #82 (not #68 as he mentioned above) in SP+. So Jimmy started at a #82 SP+ ranking and finished at WSU at #61.

Also, Washington State was #131 in return production (not #130).

 
Since this thread is discussing the 2026 season, I figured I'd share this here.

The Jimmy Rogers era of Cyclone Football kicks off in exactly 50 days at Jack Trice Stadium, but you don't have to wait until September 5th for your chance to hang out with Coach Rogers, his staff, and other Cyclone fans! The Cyclone Gridiron Club is hosting our Summer Social for Members next Thursday at Talons in Ankeny. The Summer Social starts at 4:00 with dinner from Iowa Outlaws Barbecue at 5:00 followed by a live auction and program with Coach Rogers.

If you'd like more info on the Cyclone Gridiron Club, you can get it here or shoot me a DM!