The Iowa State Cyclones football program is navigating one of the most dramatic overhauls in recent memory. After a tenure that produced three bowl appearances in four years, head coach Matt Campbell accepted a position at Penn State, leaving the Cyclones without the architect who had guided their rise.
A season of transition
The offseason saw not only the departure of Campbell but also the exit of most of the coaching staff and a large portion of the playing roster. In their place, Jimmy Rogers, a coach known for rapid rebuilding projects, was installed as the new head coach. Rogers arrives with a reputation for turning limited resources into competitive units, a skill set that the Cyclones hope will translate into immediate on‑field improvement.
Adding to the challenge, Iowa State will not return a single starter on either side of the ball. The lack of experienced anchors forces the new staff to rely heavily on fresh talent and players who have shown flashes of potential but have yet to prove themselves at the highest level of collegiate play.
Preseason assessments from College Football 27 paint a stark picture. The Cyclones received an overall rating of 77, tying them for the lowest mark in the Big 12. By contrast, Texas Tech leads the conference with an 87 rating, while West Virginia, Cincinnati and Baylor each boast higher offensive or defensive scores that suggest stronger immediate prospects.
Among the few bright spots, defensive end Isaac Terrell stands out as the only Cyclone with a rating of at least 80, sitting at 86. His presence offers a potential anchor for a defense that otherwise lacks proven playmakers, and his development will be closely watched as the team attempts to tighten a unit that struggled in the previous season.
Rogers' background provides a measure of optimism. Prior to his arrival in Ames, he orchestrated turnarounds at several programs, quickly assembling competitive squads despite limited recruiting pedigree. His ability to instill discipline and maximize the potential of underrated talent could be pivotal as the Cyclones seek to climb out of the bottom tier of the Big 12.
The road ahead will be defined by how quickly the new coaching staff can integrate a largely untested roster, how the limited high‑rated players like Terrell can elevate the team's performance, and whether the program can translate its modest preseason ratings into tangible wins on the field. For now, the Cyclones are a work in progress, but the foundation for a potential resurgence is being laid.