Iowa may be the first in the nation to vote in the presidential primaries, but first doesn't always mean right. In the months between the Iowa caucuses and the Republican and Democratic conventions, a lot can change.

Since 1972 -- when Iowans became the first in the nation to vote for presidential candidates -- only three non-incumbents have won both Iowa and then the general election.

In 2012, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney were virtually tied. Romney ended up losing by a hair, but went on to score his party's nomination. 

Meanwhile, in 2008, Mike Huckabee swept in Iowa. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) went on win the Republican nomination. 

All of this means that, though Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) triumphed this year, he should still watch his back in the months to come. Donald Trump is expected to sweep New Hampshire. 

Here's a look back at the Hawkeye State's history of getting it wrong:

Bill Clinton

Future president Bill Clinton lost in the 1992 Iowa caucuses to Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. Hard to beat a hometown hero. He went on to win both his party's nomination and of course the general election.

George H.W. Bush

Boston Globe via Getty Images

Future president George H.W. Bush didn't even come close to victory in Iowa during the 1988 caucuses. He scored just 18.6% of the vote, compared to Kansas Sen. Bob Dole's 37%.

Ronald Reagan

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ronald Reagan lost to George H.W. Bush in the 1980 Iowa caucuses, but went on to win his party's nomination and the general election. Bush would of course be named his vice president.

Michael Dukakis

Jerry Cleveland via Getty Images

Mass. Governor Michael Dukakis lost the 1988 Iowa caucuses to Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt by over 10%. He won the nomination, but eventually lost to George H.W. Bush.

John McCain

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In 2008, Arizona Sen. and eventual nominee John McCain lost Iowa to none other than former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Mitt Romney

DON EMMERT via Getty Images

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney only barely lost the 2012 Iowa caucuses to former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Santorum edged Romney out by less than 50 votes, but ended up dropping out in April after losing in Wisconsin, Maryland and D.C.