Iowa State moves UNI game to 2031, opens 2026 season with SEMO

[Connor_Ferguson]

Iowa State has moved its matchup with UNI from 2026 to 2031.

The Cyclones will face SEMO in the 2026 season opener at Jack Trice Stadium.

Iowa State to face SEMO, instead of UNI, in 2026 season opener

Iowa State football quietly made a change to one of its future schedules on Tuesday. It was first pointed out by FBSchedules.com, but the Cyclones will now face Southeast Missouri in their 2026 football season opener. Iowa State was originally slated to face off with Northern Iowa on September

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[Messi]

wonder if $600k will continue to be the going rate for ISU to pay these FCS programs

im sure some will disagree but im sure Jamie could strongarm UNI into less money

 

[1UNI2ISU]

wonder if $600k will continue to be the going rate for ISU to pay these FCS programs

im sure some will disagree but im sure Jamie could strongarm UNI into less money

Then UNI can gladly go take someone else's check. $600-700k is just flat the going rate for those games.

UNI is getting $625k from Nebraska this year and $725k from Iowa in '26.

I've said it other places but I'm glad there's a little break coming.

 

[8bitnes]

Then UNI can gladly go take someone else's check. $600-700k is just flat the going rate for those games.

UNI is getting $625k from Nebraska this year and $725k from Iowa in '26.

I've said it other places but I'm glad there's a little break coming.

I'm doubtful the 2031 game vs UNI will even get played. College sports landscaping is going to be so very different by then, we will likely be two leagues above them instead of the current one

 

[Messi]

Then UNI can gladly go take someone else's check. $600-700k is just flat the going rate for those games.

UNI is getting $625k from Nebraska this year and $725k from Iowa in '26.

I've said it other places but I'm glad there's a little break coming.

if $600k is what it takes to get teams in Ames i guess im happy we're not paying an in state program that will bring 7k fans and no doubt give us a tough game

give me the crappy FCS teams and their 850 fans everyday if the paycheck to thems the same as UNI

 

[Lineup]

get rid of all non-conference games

 

[alarson]

if $600k is what it takes to get teams in Ames i guess im happy we're not paying an in state program that will bring 7k fans and no doubt give us a tough game

give me the crappy FCS teams and their 850 fans everyday if the paycheck to thems the same as UNI

Even regardless of actual talent level, with UNI you get the kids who have a chip on their shoulder from not getting offered. That in effect makes the math worse for us as our performance will be judged against how they do the rest of the year, not in a game they're super motivated for.

 

[HouClone]

I think it sucks. I would rather play in-state schools than out of state. I hope it wasn't one of those situations where UNI asked for $700k and SEMO was willing to do for $600k.

 

[alarson]

I think it sucks. I would rather play in-state schools than out of state. I hope it wasn't one of those situations where UNI asked for $700k and SEMO was willing to do for $600k.

In a hypothetical situation where SEMO is willing to do it for 600k, UNI should be doing it for 500k since their travel costs are less.

 

[Clonehomer]

get rid of all non-conference games

I’m not ready to get rid of non-conference games. But I am ready to get rid of FCS opponents. Play 1 or 2 MAC level teams and 1 or 2 power level teams. If you take a loss, you take a loss. If you lose a home game, then charge more for the remaining games. They’ll be worth more than watching an FCS opponent anyways.

Bowls are getting to the point of extinction anyways. Conference record is what matters. Play teams that will prepare you for the conference season and don’t worry about the overall record.

 

[DGC]

It really begs the question; more content should equal more TV money. Nobody outside of their respective fan bases cares about ISU vs UNI, or South Dakota, or SEMO ect, but there would be some more interest in another conference game.

 

[JM4CY]

Then UNI can gladly go take someone else's check. $600-700k is just flat the going rate for those games.

UNI is getting $625k from Nebraska this year and $725k from Iowa in '26.

I've said it other places but I'm glad there's a little break coming.

I guess I missed that Iowa agreed to have them back in a couple years. That almost shocks me.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I guess I missed that Iowa agreed to have them back in a couple years. That almost shocks me.

It's a make-good on losing the game during COVID. Iowa still kicked UNI half of the guarantee for that one and this was to 'make UNI whole'.

I'm pretty sure that will be UNIs last visit to Iowa City for a long, long time.

Nobody knows what the future holds. UNI has Nebraska and Hawaii this year, the Iowa game in '26 and the two Iowa State dates but that's it for FBS because nobody knows what the rules are or are going to be.

 

[Bestaluckcy]

UNI will be the bargain compared to SEMO. Highly unlikely UNI has less fans in attendance. They will purchase the tickets that will pay their fee.

 

[1TwistedCyclone]

UNI will be the bargain compared to SEMO. Highly unlikely UNI has less fans in attendance. They will purchase the tickets that will pay their fee.

It's not like we've ever set an attendance record hosting UNI.

 

[Bestaluckcy]

It's not like we've ever set an attendance record hosting UNI.

Think I remember it has been sold out before. Still to be determined but a sellout for SEMO may be more difficult.

 

[Messi]

It's not like we've ever set an attendance record hosting UNI.

UNI is what, 3 of those 15?

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I'm doubtful the 2031 game vs UNI will even get played. College sports landscaping is going to be so very different by then, we will likely be two leagues above them instead of the current one

I was just going to ask, will UNI even have an athletics dept in 2031? I say that not disdainfully, but rather regrettably, as an alum.

 

[knowlesjam]

I think it sucks. I would rather play in-state schools than out of state. I hope it wasn't one of those situations where UNI asked for $700k and SEMO was willing to do for $600k.

Meh, we already hamstring ourselves enough with playing Iowa year in year out compared to others like K-State, KU, Tech, etc., that start off 3-0 most years playing cupcakes. Why play 2 of your 3 noncon games against in state teams and risk the dreaded 1-2 start (or even 0-3) if you play the away noncon against a MAC team. Pay the $'s, $600K-$700K is cheap.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

It really begs the question; more content should equal more TV money. Nobody outside of their respective fan bases cares about ISU vs UNI, or South Dakota, or SEMO ect, but there would be some more interest in another conference game.

I'm wondering the same thing, there are 2 out of the 12 games (since each team usually has one marquee non-con game, for us it's always Iowa) on each teams schedule that no one cares about and I'm guessing the viewership is much lower. When is Yormark going to add an additional conf game?
Maybe teams like the non-con games because it's usually a home games and you get ticket sales but then why is Pollard sending us to Arkansas State and Ohio.