Iowa State reshapes non‑conference slate
Iowa State football has unveiled a revised non‑conference schedule that reshapes the early portion of the next three seasons. The Cyclones will open the 2028 campaign at home against Tulane on August 26, a move that brings the Green Wave to Jack Trice Stadium for the first time in program history.
The following year, the 2029 opener will travel to New Orleans, where Iowa State is slated to meet Tulane at Yulman Stadium on August 25, completing a home‑and‑home arrangement that now begins on the road.
A new home‑and‑home rhythm
A separate adjustment places the 2027 meeting with Bowling Green inside Jack Trice Stadium, giving the Cyclones seven home games that season. The change was prompted by a request to keep the series on campus, and it also restores a traditional home‑and‑home pattern with the Mid‑American Conference opponent.
Athletic director Jamie Pollard had initially resisted any alterations to the 2027 Bowling Green matchup, but after a review of the broader schedule he gave his approval, noting the benefits of increased home exposure for fans and recruits.
The reshuffling reflects a broader trend among Big 12 programs to fine‑tune non‑conference slates, balancing revenue‑generating home games with competitive challenges. By consolidating Tulane series and securing a marquee home game against Bowling Green, Iowa State aims to strengthen its early‑season profile and boost ticket sales.