Never Too Early: Farmageddon

Rivalry History 

The Cats and Clones have met each football season since 1917, creating one of college football’s longest uninterrupted rivalries. Whether the matchup is played in Manhattan or Ames, the series has delivered physical football, late-game drama, and two fan bases that understand exactly how important a late-season win can be. 

The rivalry began on Nov. 10, 1917, when Iowa State earned a 10–7 win over Kansas State in Ames. At that point, neither school could have known the game would become an annual fixture for more than a century. Through changes in conferences, coaches, and college football itself, Kansas State and Iowa State kept playing every year. 

Although Iowa State has the edge in the all-time series, Kansas State’s rise under Bill Snyder reshaped the modern rivalry. The Wildcats won 24 of 29 meetings from 1989 through 2017 and put together a 10-game winning streak from 2008 through 2017. More recently, however, Iowa State has regained momentum, winning six of the nine meetings from 2017 through 2025. 

The Farmageddon nickname arrived decades after the rivalry began. It was coined before the 2009 neutral-site game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The name linked both schools’ agricultural identities to the intensity of the football rivalry. The phrase caught on with fans and media, and it remained even after the teams returned to their home stadiums from Kansas City. 

The 2026 meeting will be decided on the field in Ames. Kansas State and Iowa State will meet at the end of the regular season, when every conference result carries added importance. The 2026 edition of Farmageddon is set for Nov. 28 at Jack Trice Stadium and will serve as the regular-season finale for both teams. 

Kansas State 

Through the first three games of the season, Kansas State is undefeated through three games.. The Wildcats have handled their nonconference schedule with wins over Nicholls, Washington State, and Tulane, outscoring those opponents 136–30. The 31–20 win over Tulane completed an undefeated nonconference slate and gave first-year head coach Collin Klein a strong start in Manhattan. 

Unlike Iowa State, Kansas State has not yet faced a road test comparable to the Cyclones’ rivalry game at Iowa, so uncertainty remains about how the Wildcats will respond once Big 12 play begins. Still, the early signs have been encouraging. Klein has shown he is comfortable putting the ball in Avery Johnson’s hands and letting his quarterback affect the game through the air and on the ground. 

In K-State’s matchup with Tulane, Johnson completed 21 of 28 passes for 227 yards while adding 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His ability to extend plays and make defenses account for his legs gives Kansas State an element that few teams can easily prepare for. 

The Wildcats still have areas to improve as the season progresses. Kansas State will need consistent communication in the passing game, especially as the competition gets tougher in Big 12 play. But through three games, the Wildcats have taken care of business against the teams on their schedule, and the defense has again looked physical and difficult to move the ball against. Kansas State opened with a 71–3 win over Nicholls and a 34–7 victory over Washington State before closing nonconference play with the win over Tulane. 

Iowa State 

Iowa State enters Big 12 play with a 2–1 record, but the Cyclones have already experienced a much more difficult test than Kansas State. After opening the season with a 38–10 win over Southeast Missouri, Iowa State traveled to face in-state rival Iowa and suffered a narrow 16–13 defeat. The Cyclones responded the following week with a dominant 55–7 victory over Bowling Green. 

The win over Bowling Green showed what Iowa State can look like when its offense finds rhythm. Running back and return specialist Aiden Flora recorded 296 all-purpose yards, rushed for a career-high 194 yards and scored three touchdowns. On top of his two-touchdown offensive performance, Flora’s 66-yard punt return accounted for one of those three scores. The redshirt sophomore running back is proving to be one of the driving forces for the Cyclones. 

The close loss at Iowa could actually help the Cyclones later in the season. Iowa State has already played a close rivalry game, dealt with a hostile road environment, and felt the pressure of a one-score contest. By the time Farmageddon arrives in Ames on Nov. 28, those early-season experiences could prove valuable in a matchup that has historically been decided by physicality, discipline, and late-game execution. 

What Will Decide 2026? 

Three factors could decide what happens on Nov. 28 in Ames. The first is quarterback play. Of the 109 meetings between Kansas State and Iowa State, more than 40 have been decided by one possession. In the last decade, seven of the last 10 Farmageddon matchups have been decided by one possession. In a rivalry with that history of close finishes, one interception, missed read, or critical third-down completion can change the result. 

Avery Johnson has the higher ceiling as a dual-threat quarterback and has already shown how much he can impact a game with his arm and legs. He has also thrown two interceptions through Kansas State’s first three games, meaning decision-making will remain important as the Wildcats move into Big 12 play. Jaylen Raynor has thrown only one interception for Iowa State, but the Cyclones will need more consistency from their passing game as the schedule becomes more difficult. 

The second X-factor is on the special teams. With how many matchups have come down to one possession, one long return, blocked kick, missed field goal, or change in field position could decide the ballgame. Iowa State has already shown its special-teams potential this season, with Aiden Flora returning a punt 66 yards for a touchdown against Bowling Green. 

The final X-factor is all about scenarios. Both teams will have to manage the pressure that comes with a late-season rivalry game. Farmageddon closes the regular season for both programs. If either team remains in Big 12 title contention, every possession in Ames could carry postseason consequences. The team that stays disciplined, avoids self-inflicted mistakes, and remains composed in the fourth quarter will have the best chance to win. 

The Bottom Line 

Farmageddon remains one of the most distinctive rivalries in the Big 12 and in college football. K-State and Iowa State bring similar identities to the field, with physical football, disciplined preparation, and fan bases that take pride in their program’s Midwestern roots. Every meeting carries the weight of more than a century of close games, dramatic moments, and annual competition. 

With first-year head coaches Collin Klein and Jimmy Rogers leading their respective programs, this will be K-State’s fifth game against another team with a new head coach. Kansas State still has two months before it travels to Ames, but it is never too early to recognize the potential stakes and appreciate one of the best rivalries in college football. The Big 12 race, postseason positioning, and another chapter of Farmageddon history could all be on the line on Nov. 28.