Iowa State Cyclones 2026 Preview
The College Football Experience (@TCEonSGPN) on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network continues its 138 college football team preview series with the Iowa State Cyclones 2026 Season Preview. Pick Dundee aka (@TheColbyD) & Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) break down the 2026 Iowa State Cyclones roster and what to expect in the Big 12 this season. Can Jimmy Rogers make a smooth first-year transition in Ames after Matt Campbell’s exit? And is Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor the answer at quarterback after a 52-touchdown, 62.9-completion-percentage college career?
Can an offense that ranked 60th nationally in total offense climb under new coordinator Tyler Roehl? Does Jessie Bobbit’s defense hold up after finishing 54th in total defense but 27th in scoring defense a season ago? Can a roster that returns no offensive or defensive starters and just 44 percent of its offensive production gel around Raynor in year one? What does a Saturday feel like at Jack Trice Stadium when the fireworks light up Ames? Can Iowa State survive a Big 12 gauntlet that runs through Utah, West Virginia, BYU, Oklahoma State and a Farmageddon finish against Kansas State? And where’s the betting value on the Iowa State Cyclones win total, Big 12 odds and College Football Playoff chances? We talk it all and more on this episode of The College Football Experience.
Jimmy Rogers Takes Over In Ames
This Iowa State Cyclones 2026 preview opens with a coaching change. Jimmy Rogers arrives in Ames after Matt Campbell’s departure, and the deck rates his hot seat a cool 1 out of 10 as he starts 0-0. First, Iowa State went 8-4 a season ago under the old staff. Then five of those results came in one-score games, where the Cyclones finished 5-3. Because so many games hinged on late possessions, 2026 becomes a test of whether Rogers can win the close ones. From there, the program hands him a roster in transition.
Jaylen Raynor And A Rebuilt Offense
Iowa State’s offense ranked 60th nationally in total offense in 2025, with the scoring offense down at 70th. New coordinator Tyler Roehl takes over the play-calling, so the system gets a fresh voice in year one. First, Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor steps in at quarterback after 36 career starts, a 62.9 completion percentage, 52 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Then the roster returns no offensive starters, so Raynor inherits a nearly new cast. Meanwhile the group brings back just 44 percent of its production, which puts the portal haul front and center. Because the pieces are unproven, Roehl has to build chemistry fast in the Big 12.
Jessie Bobbit’s Defense Resets
Jessie Bobbit runs the Iowa State defense after the unit finished 54th nationally in total defense a season ago. First, the scoring defense actually held up well at 27th, the strongest number on the sheet. Then the pass defense sat at 65th and the run defense landed at 50th, so there is room to tighten both. Meanwhile the group returns no defensive starters and just 46 percent of its production, which leaves Bobbit rebuilding on the fly. Because the back seven turns over almost entirely, the transfer additions have to hit early.
The Schedule, The Cy-Hawk And The Win Total
Iowa State opens at home against SE Missouri State before the Cy-Hawk rivalry with Iowa in week two. First, Bowling Green visits before the Big 12 slate turns on. Then Utah, West Virginia and BYU arrive in a stretch that could define the season. From there, a bye leads into Arizona, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Cincinnati and UCF. What does a Saturday feel like at Jack Trice Stadium when the fireworks light up Ames? The schedule closes with Farmageddon against Kansas State, and the deck sets the Iowa State win total at 5.5, with the Cyclones at plus 10000 to win the Big 12 and plus 7000 to make the College Football Playoff. Then the hosts weigh the over against a roster in year-one transition.
College Football Previews
SEC
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Missouri Tigers
Oklahoma Sooners
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Illini
Iowa Hawkeyes
Michigan State Spartans
Northwestern Wildcats
USC Trojans
Washington Huskies
Big 12
Baylor Bears
Iowa State Cyclones
Kansas State Wildcats
Oklahoma State Cowboys
TCU Horned Frogs
Texas Tech Red Raiders
UCF Knights
West Virginia Mountaineers
ACC
Boston College Eagles
Clemson Tigers
Miami Hurricanes
Pittsburgh Panthers
Syracuse Orangemen
Virginia Cavaliers
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Pac-12
Boise State Broncos
Fresno State Bulldogs
San Diego State Aztecs
Washington State Cougars
American
Army Black Knights
Navy Midshipmen
Temple Owls
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Mountain West
Air Force Falcons
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
New Mexico Lobos
San Jose State Spartans
Sun Belt
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Georgia Southern Eagles
Georgia State Panthers
Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Marshall Thundering Herd
South Alabama Jaguars
MAC
Bowling Green Falcons
Buffalo Bulls
Miami OH Redhawks
Ohio Bobcats
Toledo Rockets
Umass Minutemen
Western Michigan Broncos
Conference USA
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Liberty Flames
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Independents
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
UConn Huskies
Podcast Chapters
00:00 Download the SGPN App Today!
02:19 The Golden Era And Meet The Crew
04:01 Matt Campbell Exits, Jimmy Rogers Arrives
06:01 The 2025 Recap And Close Games
08:33 Big 12 Media Days Grind And Hype
12:04 New Offensive Staff And The Quarterback Battle
13:32 Transfer Portal Overhaul And Skill Adds
16:24 Defense Reset With Jessie Bobbit
20:35 Win Total Buzz
23:23 Ames Culture, NIL And The Bar Scene
28:20 Jack Trice Stadium Legacy
30:17 Fireworks And Field Storms
31:10 Cyclone Legends Roll Call
32:18 State Of The Program Rating Debate
34:42 Week 1: SE Missouri State Opener
35:48 The Cy-Hawk Rivalry Rant
37:39 Bowling Green Trap Spot
38:39 The Utah And West Virginia Stretch
40:43 BYU Road Trip And The Bye Week
41:33 Midseason Big 12 Picks
43:59 Farmageddon And The Final Record
45:03 The Win Total Over/Under Verdict
47:02 Ceiling, Floor And QB Unknowns
47:53 Dream Future Opponents
48:55 Wrap Up And Outro Song
