Stewart Mandel, in the Athletic, did his every-five-years ranking of the college football hierarchy. The landed gentry in Iowa City got even more landed, moving up to Baron. Ames? Well, there’s some lovely filth down here in peasantdom.
If I had to guess, the fan base I’m going to hear the most complaints from is Iowa State. Which, again: Beware recency bias. The past five years represent the best run in program history, but I’m not sure it’s completely erased a century of futility from the public consciousness.
He’s absolutely right. DO NOT GIVE IOWA STATE EXPECTATIONS. Iowa State with expectations is a recipe for disaster. 2021’s 7-6 with a Florida bowl is, all things considered, at least a top 20% all-time season for ISU. But too many people were anticipating the first 10-win season in Cyclones history, which, have you seen Iowa State football?
Recent circumstances notwithstanding, of course, as Mandel also said.