The next chapter in the long-standing “Cy-Hawk” rivalry is about to be written as the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Ames to take on their state rivals, the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones, in Week 2.
It is Matt Campbell’s team’s second rivalry game of the season — in Week 0, they faced Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, for the annual “Farmageddon.” Can they make it 3-0 on the season with another statement victory? Our Iowa State-Iowa preview has the latest grades, records, and predictions ahead of a stellar matchup.
Iowa State vs. Iowa Details
- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Game Time: Noon ET
- Location: Jack Trice Stadium | Ames, Iowa
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 71°, sunny, 11 mph winds
- How to Watch: FOX, FUBO
Iowa State vs. Iowa Head-to-Head Record
The Cyclones and the Hawkeyes have met 71 times in their history — the Cy-Hawk has been played annually since 1977. The first edition was first played in 1894, with Iowa State winning 16-8, but their success in the rivalry game hasn’t continued.
Iowa leads the all-time series 47-24, including winning the contest six consecutive years between 2015 and 2021 and seven of the last 10. In more recent years, the teams compete for the Cy-Hawk trophy awarded to the winner each year.
Iowa State vs. Iowa Grades
Below are the PFSN team and player grades for Iowa State vs. Iowa. The grades are collated from Week 1 of the 2025 college football season, showing which players had the biggest impact score last week.
PFSN College OFFi
- Iowa State (83.18, B)
- Iowa (86.74, B)
PFSN College DEFi
- Iowa State (79.8, C+)
- Iowa (85.5, B)
PFSN College OLi
- Iowa State (73.47, C)
- Iowa (66.56, D)
PFSN College QBi
- Rocco Becht, Iowa State (84.6, B)
- Mark Gronowski, Iowa (74.8, C)
PFSN College RBi
- Dylan Lee, Iowa State (69.62, D+)
- Xavier Williams, Iowa (68.03, D+)
PFSN College WRi
- Iowa State (N/A)
- Iowa (N/A)
PFSN College TEi
- Gabe Burkle, Iowa State (77.52)
- Addison Ostrenga, Iowa (70.5, C-)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Tamatoa McDonough, Iowa State (65.57, D)
- Brian Allen, Iowa (70.85, C-)
PFSN College DTi
- Domonique Orange, Iowa State (75.43, C)
- Kenneth Merrieweather, Iowa (76.6, C)
PFSN College LBi
- Caleb Bacon, Iowa State (72.77, C-)
- Karson Sharar, Iowa (70.22, C-)
PFSN College CBi
- Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State (79.71, C+)
- Deshaun Lee, Iowa (75.94, C)
PFSN College SAFi
- Jamison Patton, Iowa State (77.82)
- Zach Lutmer, Iowa (75.12)
Iowa State vs. Iowa Prediction
Currently 2-0 and ranked No. 16 in the AP top 25 poll, Iowa State is a three-point favorite on DraftKings to defeat its state rivals in Week 2 of the college football season.
Meanwhile, the Haweyes received a wide-awakening welcome to the Mark Gronowski experience. The former FCS quarterback completed eight of his 15 passes for 44 yards and one touchdown. Iowa relied heavily on its rushing attack to defeat Albany 34-7 in its opening game.
Still, Kirk Ferentz’s team achieved victory in their tried-and-tested manner: good defense and a physical running game.
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A game long of 13 yards will not cut it against better opposition, as Iowa fans hope that Gronowski was encountering some growing pains in the season opener.
That is because the Cyclones’ rushing defense has been outstanding to open the season, allowing an average of 99 rushing yards per game. Domonique Orange has been a stalwart in the middle of the defensive line as the Cyclones look like the real deal again in 2025.
It’s likely here that No. 16 Iowa State wins the quarterback battle. Rocco Becht went 19-20 for 278 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2 against South Dakota State to prove why he is one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football.
Iowa can’t afford to turn this into a shootout, and their best chance of leaving Ames with a victory is to keep the game close with quality defense and a strong rushing attack heading into the later stages.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Iowa 17
