Namely, head coach Matt Campbell has built a remarkable culture in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones program is a point of pride. Iowa State is not a place for players who are solely focused on the money. Instead, it’s for tough kids who work and play hard. And it’s a proven recipe for NCAAF future odds success. Iowa State should be in the mix to compete for a Big 12 title. Campbell has built a winning program in Ames. Hence, in a Big 12 Conference that is in transition, Iowa State should benefit from Campbell’s consistency.
2025 SBG College Football Futures Iowa State Cyclones
| Odds to Win National Championship: | +12500 |
|---|---|
| Odds to Win Big 12 Championship: | +1100 |
| Over/Under Win Total: | 7.5 |
2025 Cyclones Schedule
- Aug 23 vs. Kansas State (Ireland)
- Aug 30 vs. South Dakota
- Sep 6 vs. Iowa
- Sep 13 at Arkansas State
- Sep 20 OFF
- Sep 27 vs. Arizona
- Oct 4 at Cincinnati
- Oct 11 at Colorado
- Oct 18 OFF
- Oct 25 vs. BYU
- Nov 1 vs. Arizona State
- Nov 8 at TCU
- Nov 15 OFF
- Nov 22 vs. Kansas
- Nov 29 at Oklahoma State
Following a 4-8 offshore bookmaker flop in 2022, Iowa State rallied to finish 7-6 in 2023. Including 6-3 in Big 12 Conference games. Matt Campbell rallied a group of obscure players unwanted by bigger programs and put Iowa State in a bowl game for the sixth time in seven years. Thus, in 2024, in the reformed Big 12, Iowa State was expected to be a serious player. Iowa State did not win the Big 12 Conference but had a landmark campaign, finishing 11-3 with a final national ranking of 18th.
Since 1895, Cyclones have been playing college football. Throughout all that time, it has had only two pieces of a conference title. In 1911 and 1912, Iowa State was the co-champion of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. There was once a tie for the Big 12 North title in 2004. However, Iowa State was only 4-4 in Big 12 play, and Colorado went on to get walloped by Oklahoma. That’s why the run to the Big 12 Championship game was such a big deal. And why the 2025 college football futures loss to Arizona State was so disappointing.
A win would’ve been the school’s first outright conference title. And it would’ve meant a trip to the College Football Playoff, a first-round bye. Also, as it turned out, there would have been a shot at Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
However, the Cyclones lost 45-19 and went on to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Subsequently, they beat Miami 42-41. Caused by Hurricane quarterback Cam Ward quitting on his team at the end of the first half. Ward set the D-I record for touchdown passes. Still, it was the best season in the history of Iowa State football.
The program had never won ten games in a season before last year. In turn, it won 11. It was also the second time in five seasons that the Cyclones took a bite at the championship apple. Specifically, in 2020, it lost to Oklahoma 27-21.
Most important of all, the 2025 Cyclones, in many ways, are better. The receiving corps and defensive line should take a step back, and the O-line could use a little work. But the skill parts are strong, the defensive back seven/eight should be terrific, and there’s no team on the slate the Cyclones can’t beat.