Cy‑Hawk Rivalry Faces Uncertain Future Amid 24‑Team CFP and Big Ten‑SEC Scheduling Talks

For decades the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones have met in early September, the Cy‑Hawk game a staple for fans across the state. It’s more than a football matchup; it’s a family affair, a brag‑off for anyone who grew up in the Cornfields.

But the college football landscape is shifting under our feet. The College Football Playoff, long a 12‑team affair, is slated to expand to 24 teams as early as 2027. That change alone opens the door for a lot more leeway in the regular‑season schedule – teams could lose three, maybe four games and still have a shot at the postseason.

That flexibility is feeding a new conversation: the Big Ten and SEC are flirting with a scheduling agreement that would pit their members against each other in high‑profile, non‑conference games. Think of the basketball Big Ten‑ACC Challenge, only on the gridiron.

Both conferences already run nine‑game conference slates. Add a few marquee cross‑conference match‑ups and you’re looking at ten Power‑Five contests. That leaves only two open weeks in a 12‑game schedule for anyone who wants to squeeze in a smaller‑school opponent, a traditional “tune‑up” game.

The Cy‑Hawk has traditionally lived in week two – right after the season opener and just before the grind of conference play begins. If the Big Ten‑SEC pact locks in week two for a blockbuster showdown, the Iowa‑Iowa State game suddenly finds itself without a slot.

Could the schools simply shift the rivalry to week three? In theory, yes, but that would start a ten‑game Power‑Five stretch that most programs would balk at. The risk of injuries, fatigue and a loss of flexibility is a big ask, especially for teams that might need an easier game to fine‑tune before the conference gauntlet.

Many observers, myself included, think the sad but realistic outcome is a temporary pause. Iowa and Iowa State would likely keep their week‑one and week‑three games against Group of Six or FCS opponents, preserving those open weeks for a less grueling schedule, while the beloved Cy‑Hawk sits on the shelf until the calendar clears.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans, but college football has always been about adaptation. Whether the rivalry returns next year or takes a longer hiatus, the passion on both sides of the field suggests it will eventually find its way back – unless the powers that be decide otherwise.