College Football's Biggest Drop-Offs in 2026: Iowa State, North Texas Lead the Pack

By John Damon | Just The News Iowa

Iowa State Cyclones fans may need to brace for a tough season. A new analysis from Covers.com projects the Cyclones as one of the five least improved teams in college football for 2026, with the team expected to miss a bowl game after an eight-win campaign last year.

The analysis, based on 15 years of preseason power ratings, identifies five programs that will take significant steps backward. North Texas tops the list with what the analyst calls the biggest single-season downgrade he has ever seen. But for Iowa readers, the Cyclones' struggles hit close to home.

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