Iowa State opens new era with win, but Big 12 power rankings show Cyclones still climbing
Iowa State kicked off the Jimmy Rogers era with a 38-10 victory over Southeast Missouri, but the Cyclones still find themselves in the middle of the pack in the first Big 12 power rankings of the 2026 season. The win marked a fresh start for a program undergoing a complete overhaul after longtime coach Matt Campbell departed for Penn State in December.
Rogers, hired just days after Campbell's exit, has brought in 81 newcomers and a new starting quarterback in Jaylen Rayner. The early returns were positive, but the real test comes Saturday when the Cyclones travel to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes in the annual Cy-Hawk showdown.
How did Iowa State perform in Week 1?
Rayner made an immediate impact in his Cyclones debut, running for two touchdowns and throwing for two more. The dual-threat quarterback kept the Southeast Missouri defense off balance all afternoon as Iowa State pulled away in the second half.
The Cyclones' roster overhaul was evident on the field, with new faces across the lineup. Rogers brought several players with him from his previous stop, and the team showed early chemistry despite the limited time together.
Next up: At Iowa on Sept. 12.
Who tops the Big 12 power rankings after Week 1?
The top of the conference standings looks familiar. Texas Tech and BYU, the two teams that played for the Big 12 championship in 2025, both opened with dominant performances and hold the top two spots in the rankings.
Texas Tech (1-0) defeated Abilene Christian 33-10 as quarterback Will Hammond returned from a season-ending knee injury with 298 passing yards and a touchdown. The defending conference champions totaled 471 yards while limiting the Wildcats to just 194.
BYU (1-0) was even more impressive, rolling past Utah Tech 63-7. The Cougars led 56-0 in the third quarter and forced four turnovers. BYU hasn't lost to a non-FBS opponent since 1960.
Which Big 12 teams were the biggest surprises?
The biggest shock of the opening weekend came in Stillwater, where Oklahoma State (0-1) fell to Tulsa 24-10 for the second consecutive year. The Cowboys were expected to be much improved under new coach Eric Morris, who brought in highly touted transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker from the portal. Instead, Oklahoma State lost to a two-touchdown underdog, raising immediate questions about the program's direction.
Colorado (1-0) pulled off a dramatic 14-13 comeback win over Georgia Tech, scoring the go-ahead points with less than two minutes remaining. The Buffaloes survived when Georgia Tech missed a 45-yard field goal on the final play.
Kansas State (1-0) looked sharp in new coach Collin Klein's debut, routing Nicholls State 71-3. Klein, a former Wildcats quarterback, watched Avery Johnson throw for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
Where does Iowa State rank in the Big 12?
Iowa State sits at No. 13 in the power rankings, ahead of only Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor. The Cyclones moved up three spots from their preseason ranking of 16, but the schedule gets significantly tougher starting this week.
The full Big 12 power rankings after Week 1:
- Texas Tech (1-0)
- BYU (1-0)
- Houston (1-0)
- Utah (1-0)
- Arizona (1-0)
- Arizona State (1-0)
- Kansas State (1-0)
- West Virginia (1-0)
- Kansas (1-0)
- Colorado (1-0)
- Cincinnati (1-0)
- Central Florida (1-0)
- Iowa State (1-0)
- Oklahoma State (0-1)
- TCU (0-1)
- Baylor (0-1)
What's next for the Cyclones?
The Cy-Hawk game against Iowa on Sept. 12 will be the first true measuring stick for Rogers and his rebuilt roster. A win over the Hawkeyes would not only boost Iowa State's position in the conference but also signal that the program's transition may be ahead of schedule.
For Iowa fans, the game offers a chance to see whether the Cyclones can compete with a Big Ten opponent after such a dramatic offseason change. The rivalry game is always intense, and this year's matchup carries added significance with both teams looking to build momentum early in the season.
Rogers has emphasized building a physical, disciplined team, and the Week 1 performance showed glimpses of that identity. But the competition level rises dramatically this Saturday, and the Cyclones will need to be sharper in all phases to leave Iowa City with a win.
What does this mean for the Big 12 race?
Texas Tech and BYU remain the clear favorites in the conference, but several teams showed they could be factors in the title race. Utah, Arizona State, and Kansas State all posted lopsided wins, while Houston survived a closer-than-expected test against Oregon State.
The middle of the conference appears wide open, and Iowa State has an opportunity to climb the rankings with a strong performance in the coming weeks. After the Iowa game, the Cyclones face a stretch of conference play that will define their season.
For now, Cyclone fans can take encouragement from the Week 1 win and the promise of a new era under Rogers. The real tests are still ahead, starting with the Hawkeyes on Saturday.