The annual Cy-Hawk game could be won off the field in a make-or-break recruiting weekend

The annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game is always important to fans on both sides, but it could be even more important for the Hawkeyes this season.

Even though Iowa has a commanding 46-25 overall record in the series, Iowa State has won the last three games in the matchup, excluding Iowa's vacated 2023 win due to recruiting violations. Iowa is poised to avenge its disappointing 16-13 loss in Ames last year after the program was gutted following head coach Matt Campbell's departure, and the game will be in prime time on September 12 at Kinnick Stadium. Even though the game is always important, the biggest win for the Hawkeyes will happen off the field.

Iowa is set to host 18 recruits during Cy-Hawk rivalry weekend at Kinnick Stadium

After a ho-hum official visit weekend for the 2027 class over the spring, the program is ramping up its efforts this fall by hosting a massive amount of potential commits during one of the biggest games on the schedule.

The Cy-Hawk game will give either side massive momentum heading into the conference schedule, and it could pay off in a big way for the Hawkeyes if they win. The September 12 weekend will be one of the first big recruiting weekends for the 2028 and 2029 classes, with Iowa set to host 18 prospects in total. 16 of those prospects are in the 2028 class, and two are in the 2029 class, with only one prospect already committed to the program (2029 OL James Barnett). With the 2027 class mostly finished, the September 12 weekend is one of the biggest early recruiting weekends for the program, and the program needs to make a good impression.

Among the 20 prospects are four four-star prospects and nine three-star prospects, with several deciding between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones. Iowa holds a slim lead among the four top prospects choosing between the two schools, but the race is still far too early and too close to call. A win in the rivalry would go a long way in swaying some of the prospects who are on the fringe, adding even more talent to Iowa's 2028 talent pool.

The Hawkeyes currently have two committed players in the 2028 class: interior offensive line prospect James Barnett and cornerback prospect Dwayle Smith, both of whom are currently unranked. The 2029 class currently has no committed prospects. It is still early in the recruiting process for both classes, but it cannot be overstated how big the September 12 weekend is for future recruiting.

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