Where ISU’s records stand entering 2012-13

This is an update to a post I made last year.

As of the beginning of the 2012 season, Iowa State has played 1,140 football games, according to the NCAA, but the two disagree on the win-loss-tie record (500-594-46 vs. 499-595-46). The discrepancy involves two forfeits and the 1907 Nebraska game. This does not include an alleged loss to Purdue that likely doesn’t exist. (It’s also 15 fewer games than Iowa’s total.)

By the NCAA’s measurement, the win against Oklahoma State was Iowa State’s 500th victory as a program, while by Iowa State’s measurements, the next win will be the 500th. On the flip side, ISU’s fifth loss of the season will be considered the 600th by the university (NCAA: sixth loss).

Of original Division I-A BCS schools that played more than 1000 games before last year, ISU’s win total is above six: Washington State, Northwestern, Kansas State, Indiana, and Wake Forest. (UConn, vacancy-adjusted Florida State, Duke, Louisville, Boise State, and South Florida all have fewer wins, but don’t meet the 1000-game and/or I-A threshold. Rice and Houston are also down in the cellar. Florida State’s down here because it was a women’s college until 1947.)

Only Rutgers and Northwestern have played more overall games with more losses, although Kansas State and Indiana are within 20. (Rutgers also has 20-plus more years of games.)

If Washington State wins three more games than Iowa State this season, they will tie on the all-time list. If Iowa State wins two more games than Oregon State this season, they will tie. (Mississippi State passed Oregon State last season.)

Here’s an updated version of that table of most-played opponents, with the correction that Oklahoma is the fifth-most-played in football. West Virginia, ISU’s newest conference partner, has series totals of zero, zero, and one.