A lot of the "what-ifs" for the Iowa Football program this season started with a disappointing loss to rival Iowa State in week two of the regular season.
New Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski gave Iowa fans flashbacks to Cade McNamara, the special teams made multiple blunders, and the defense allowed a sustained drive that set up the game-winning field goal in the 16-13 loss.
A dark cloud hung over Iowa City after the Hawkeyes' second straight loss to the Cyclones, but the team was able to right the ship and finish with a respectable 8-4 overall record.
Shockingly, for the Cyclones, their season went in the complete opposite direction, and after starting red-hot with wins over then-No. 17 Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, and Iowa.
After winning its first five games, Iowa State went on a four-game losing streak, finishing with the same 8-4 record as Iowa.
In an even bigger blow to the program overall, long-time Head Coach Matt Campbell decided to take the Penn State head coaching vacancy, leaving Ames after 10 seasons.
Following Campbell's shocking decision and with multiple players sidelined with injuries, the program opted out of any bowl games this season.
That decision came at a costly price.
Big 12 fines Iowa State (and Kansas State) $500,000 for opting out of bowl game. pic.twitter.com/rgZchK8BIJ
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) December 7, 2025
Keith Murphy from WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, reported that the Big 12 Conference imposed a $500,000 fine on Iowa State following their decision not to play in a bowl game.
Fellow Big 12 program Kansas State was also hit with a similar fine.
The 2025 Iowa State Football season has effectively ended with an 8-4 (5-4 Big 12) record, and replacing Campbell with former Washington State Head Coach Jimmy Rogers.