colorado vs iowa state
Colorado and Iowa State are colliding in both football and men’s basketball lately, so “Colorado vs Iowa State” is a hot, ongoing Big 12 storyline rather than a one‑off game.
Latest on the court
In men’s basketball, Iowa State currently has the clear upper hand.
- On January 29, 2026, No. 8 Iowa State crushed Colorado 97–67 in Ames, using a huge early run (30–1 over about 6.5 minutes) to blow the game open.
- Iowa State had six players in double figures, led by freshman Jamarion Batemon with 17 points off the bench, while Colorado’s Sebastian Rancik opened the scoring with a three before the Cyclones’ avalanche.
- Another Colorado recap notes similar themes: Iowa State’s hot shooting (around 61% from the field and strong accuracy from three) and dominance on the boards (33–22), handing Colorado one of its most lopsided conference losses since re‑joining the Big 12.
A recent feature on the matchup framed it as a “clash of titans,” pointing out that both offenses can score (Colorado near 88 points per game, Iowa State around 91) and highlighting Colorado’s rebounding versus Iowa State’s passing and assist numbers. The story emphasizes that defense and execution on each possession likely decide these games.
Fan and forum flavor (basketball)
Game threads around Colorado–Iowa State hoops are busy and pretty rowdy, with a mix of in‑game reactions, joking about players’ nicknames, and complaints about officiating or commentary crews.
- One Iowa State–Colorado basketball game thread shows fans reacting to big rebounds, clutch shots, and running jokes about a player nicknamed “Mommy,” which not everyone enjoys.
- Another thread for a top‑3 Iowa State at Colorado matchup has fans talking about floor design quirks, foul calls, and praising coach T.J. Otzelberger’s work ethic culture.
These forum snapshots make the matchup feel like an emerging rivalry: frequent meetings, lots of banter, and strong emotions from both sides.
On the football field
In football, Colorado recently picked up a big win over Iowa State that got plenty of fan attention.
- A postgame thread from October 11, 2025, highlights Colorado’s 24–17 victory over Iowa State, with stunned Cyclone fans reacting to the loss.
- Video coverage of that Week 7 matchup shows Colorado’s offense leaning on a strong left side of the line and rollout concepts in the passing game, with commentators breaking down blocking angles and throws.
The online reaction mixes frustration from Iowa State fans, relief and excitement from Colorado supporters, and the usual officiating debates and gallows humor you find after a close conference game.
Bigger picture: schools vs states
If someone searches “Colorado vs Iowa State” they might also mean “CU Boulder vs Iowa State University” or even Colorado vs Iowa as states.
Universities: CU Boulder vs Iowa State
A college‑comparison profile lines up the two universities on cost, selectivity, and outcomes.
- CU Boulder is significantly more expensive: in‑state tuition about 64% higher than Iowa State, and out‑of‑state tuition is also much higher.
- Both are large public 4‑year, non‑profit universities, with enrollments over 30,000 students and similar student‑to‑faculty ratios around 18–19 to 1.
- Acceptance rates are high at both schools (roughly low‑ to high‑80s percent), with average admitted GPAs in the high‑3s and CU Boulder showing a slightly higher test score range.
- Graduation rates are similar (around 68%) and median earnings after ten years are in the mid‑$50,000s, slightly higher at CU Boulder.
CU Boulder vs Iowa State quick view
| Aspect | CU Boulder | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Public 4‑year, non‑profit | Public 4‑year, non‑profit |
| Enrollment | ≈41,400 students | ≈30,200 students |
| In‑state tuition | ≈$14,800 | ≈$9,000 |
| Out‑of‑state tuition | ≈$40,300 | ≈$26,200 |
| Room & board | ≈$16,950 | ≈$9,700 |
| Acceptance rate | ≈83% | ≈89% |
| Grad rate | ≈68% | ≈68% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs) | ≈$56,900 | ≈$53,700 |
States: Colorado vs Iowa
At the state level, Colorado is much larger in area and population than Iowa.
- Colorado covers about 268,600 square kilometers, while Iowa covers about 144,700, so Iowa is roughly 54% the size of Colorado.
- Colorado has around 5 million people, about 2 million more than Iowa.
How to read “Colorado vs Iowa State” today
Putting it all together:
- In basketball , Iowa State is currently the stronger program in head‑to‑head games, with recent blowout wins and a top‑10 national profile.
- In football , Colorado recently claimed a notable 24–17 win, energizing its fanbase and fueling Big 12 chatter.
- As universities , CU Boulder is pricier and slightly more selective by test scores, while Iowa State offers a lower‑cost option with similar graduation outcomes.
- As states , Colorado is nearly twice the size of Iowa and more populous.
If you tell me whether you care more about basketball, football, or choosing a school, I can narrow this down into a more tailored “who’s better and why” breakdown.