There are very few in-state sports rivalries that capture the attention of the entire state like the annual Cy-Hawk football game.
For over 70 years, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones have battled on the gridiron, with the storied rivalry adding another chapter in Iowa City in 2026. Luckily for fans of both teams and of college football in general, this season's version of the rivalry will be played in primetime.
The bad news for Iowa State fans: oddsmakers do not like their chances.
Iowa open as heavy favorites to get its mojo back in the Cy-Hawk series
The rivalry has produced multiple classic moments for both sides over the years, and even though Iowa holds the lead in the series at 46-25, Iowa State has had the advantage lately. The Cyclones have won the last three matchups (not including Iowa's vacated win in 2023), including three of the past five games in Iowa City.
Last season's heartbreaking loss on a late field goal was especially upsetting, but according to early odds, Iowa State's annoying streak ends this season.
New Big Ten Preseason spreads updated on @FanDuel @jrs_rankings and @bigjeffsftball discussed Indiana favored over Ohio State here: https://t.co/LqfQ6j8Q3r pic.twitter.com/6kCZHONEsj
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) May 27, 2026
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Hawkeyes are a massive 12.5 favorite over the Cyclones at Kinnick Stadium this September. The point spread seems abnormally huge for a game that is consistently decided by one score or less, but it reveals what oddsmakers truly think about the new-look Cyclones.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State's all-time wins leader, decided to take the head coaching vacancy at Penn State after the Nittany Lions fired James Franklin near the end of the 2025 regular season, and as expected, the roster suffered heavy turnover.
With a new head coach and a completely rebuilt roster, the Cyclones don't stand much of a chance on paper, and the odds are pointing in that direction. In a rivalry game this intense, history doesn't matter, but the Hawkeyes have to like their chances of getting back on track.
It would be nice if the odds projections always went our way, but since that is rarely the case, we should still expect a close game between these two hated rivals. Iowa fans might have a heart attack if Iowa State somehow pulls off an upset of epic proportions, but they will be happy knowing that Iowa is a massive favorite going in.
The line is almost certainly going to shift before the 6:30 p.m. Central Time kickoff, but Iowa fans will definitely appreicate the vote of confidence.
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