Initially thought to be representatives from the Big 12 Conference, leaders at Iowa State and Kansas State reportedly notified ESPN that they are not fans of the nickname “Farmageddon” for the annual game between the two programs.
The update was revealed by Rece Davis on the College GameDay Podcast, adding new layers to a rivalry that has already become a flashpoint in conversations about Big 12 scheduling.
The term “Farmageddon” has long been embraced by fans as a fitting nod to the agricultural heritage of both schools. It gave the series its own identity and helped it stand out nationally despite not always carrying championship stakes. The Big 12’s resistance to the moniker suggests a desire to manage perception, particularly after the league opted not to protect the game under its new scheduling model.
In the transition to a 16-team conference, the Big 12 identified only a few rivalries worth protecting. That left Kansas State and Iowa State on the outside looking in, making Farmageddon one of the casualties of realignment. The current schedule does not extend the series past 2026, sparking criticism that the conference is abandoning a tradition with regional significance.
By signaling discomfort with the nickname, the Big 12 appears to be trying to dampen some of that criticism. The moniker itself is harmless in tone, but it also serves as a rallying cry for those who feel the conference failed to protect one of its most authentic rivalries. Removing or discouraging the label could be a way of softening attention on the issue.
For fans, however, the move only adds to frustration. Farmageddon had become part of the culture of the series, both in media coverage and on game day. The rivalry may continue in the short term, but its long-term future remains uncertain. If the nickname disappears as well, it would mark another piece of tradition lost during an era when realignment and television interests continue to reshape the college football landscape.
