The 1946 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (later renamed Iowa State University) in the Big Six Conference during the 1946 college football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Mike Michalske, the Cyclones compiled a 2–6–1 record (1–4 against conference opponents), finished in fifth place in the conference, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 239 to 77.[1][2] They played their home games at Clyde Williams Field in Ames, Iowa.
There was no team captain selected for the 1946 season. The regular starting lineup consisted of ends Dean Laun and Bob Jensen, tackles Lou Bosnyak and Harle Rollinger, guards Fred Schneider and Norman Anderson, center James Riding, quarterback Don Ferguson, halfbacks Webb Halbert and Vic Weber, and fullback Ray Klootwyk.[2] No Iowa State players were selected as a first-team all-conference players.[3]