The wait is almost over, and one of the most passionate rivalries in college football is ready to take center stage. The Iowa Hawkeyes will host the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday night in another edition of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, with both teams entering the showdown at 1-0.
For fans asking the most important question — which channel will broadcast Iowa vs. Iowa State? — the answer is NBC.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa’s official athletics website lists NBC as the television network, while Iowa State’s official game primer confirms the same broadcast information.
📺 FULL TV AND STREAMING GUIDE
🏈 Game: Iowa State Cyclones at Iowa Hawkeyes
📅 Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET
🏟️ Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
📺 TV: NBC
💻 Streaming: Peacock/NBC streaming availability through participating services
📻 Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network / Cyclone Radio Network
The matchup is officially scheduled as a prime-time NBC broadcast, making this one of the biggest games on the college football schedule that weekend. Iowa State’s official preview confirms NBC as the television home of the game, with Paul Burmeister on play-by-play, Todd Blackledge as analyst and Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sideline.
Fans should check their local provider or streaming subscription before kickoff, particularly viewers outside the United States, where college football broadcast rights can differ.
🔥 THE CY-HAWK RIVALRY TAKES PRIME TIME
There are few college football rivalries quite like Iowa vs. Iowa State.
This will be the 73rd meeting between the programs, with Iowa holding a 47-25 advantage in the all-time series. But recent history has shifted toward the Cyclones. Iowa State has won two straight meetings and three of the last four, including consecutive victories at Kinnick Stadium.
That makes Saturday night particularly important for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa has home-field advantage, but Iowa State has already demonstrated that it can walk into Kinnick Stadium and win.
The stakes are also amplified because this is the first night meeting between the teams at Kinnick since 2016. Iowa’s official notes say the Hawkeyes have won seven straight night games at Kinnick Stadium since 2022, adding another intriguing storyline to an already emotional rivalry.
🖤💛 IOWA LOOKS TO TAKE BACK THE TROPHY
The Hawkeyes enter the rivalry game after an impressive opening-week victory over Northern Illinois.
Iowa dominated the Huskies 40-0, producing more than 500 yards of offense, including 298 rushing yards.
That performance gives Iowa plenty of confidence heading into Saturday night.
The biggest question will be whether the Hawkeyes can maintain that physicality against an Iowa State defense that will be far more familiar with the demands of a rivalry game.
Iowa’s ability to run the football could be especially important. If the Hawkeyes can establish the line of scrimmage, control possession and force Iowa State to defend long drives, they can keep the Cyclones’ offense off the field and make Kinnick Stadium even more difficult for the visitors.
🔴 IOWA STATE WANTS A THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
The Cyclones enter Iowa City with confidence after opening the season 1-0.
But this road game represents a completely different challenge.
Iowa State is attempting to win three consecutive games in the series for the first time since 1998-2002, according to the Cyclones’ official game notes. The Cyclones are also attempting to win three straight road games against Iowa for the first time in program history during that same stretch.
That makes history part of the motivation.
Iowa State knows it has already broken through at Kinnick in recent years. Now the Cyclones have an opportunity to turn that recent success into a genuine rivalry advantage.
👀 PLAYERS AND STORYLINES TO WATCH
One of the most important areas to watch will be the battle in the trenches.
Both teams prefer physical football, and neither wants to allow the opposing offense to dictate the game.
For Iowa, quarterback Mark Gronowski will be under the spotlight as the Hawkeyes attempt to make efficient plays through the air while continuing to establish their ground attack.
For Iowa State, quarterback Jaylen Raynor enters the matchup as one of the players to watch after opening the season with 184 passing yards, according to the Cyclones’ official game center.
The quarterback who handles the pressure best could ultimately determine the outcome.
🌙 KINNICK STADIUM WILL BE ELECTRIC
The atmosphere may be one of the biggest advantages Iowa has.
The game is officially sold out, and Iowa’s athletics department has confirmed that the matchup will feature a special halftime celebration, including a performance by the Hawkeye Marching Band followed by the first-ever drone show at Iowa football, with 300 drones recreating iconic Iowa football imagery above Kinnick Stadium.
That means fans will have plenty to look forward to both on and off the field.
But once the ball is kicked off, all attention will shift toward the rivalry.
📱 DON’T MISS A SECOND!
If you’re planning to watch the game, make sure everything is ready before kickoff.
📺 NBC
📅 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
⏰ 6:30 P.M. CT / 7:30 P.M. ET
🏟️ KINNICK STADIUM — IOWA CITY
🏈 IOWA STATE CYCLONES vs. IOWA HAWKEYES
This is more than just a nonconference game.
It is the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, a rivalry with 73 meetings, recent momentum on Iowa State’s side and an electric prime-time setting at Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa wants to reclaim bragging rights.
Iowa State wants to make it three straight.
And when the lights come on Saturday night, every possession will matter.
🔥 NBC. 6:30 P.M. CT. KINNICK STADIUM.
🖤💛 IOWA HAWKEYES vs. IOWA STATE CYCLONES.
🏈🔥 GET READY FOR THE CY-HAWK SHOWDOWN — AND DON’T MISS A SINGLE SNAP! ❤️
