It isn’t common for a college football team’s success to be correlated with the TV channel they play on. However, with Iowa State, there’s a clear correlation, especially when it comes to FOX and ESPN.
Ever since their loss at home to Texas in 2023 on senior night, the Cyclones’ success rate is significantly higher on FOX than on ESPN. Going back as far as their 2023 road game at Kansas State, the Cyclones are a combined 11-1 in games televised on either FOX or FS1.
On the flip side, in games broadcast by the ESPN family of networks, the Cyclones are a combined 5-5. Those channels include ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Looking into their recent history on FOX and FS1, the Cyclones have had eight games broadcast on FOX going back to the last week of the 2023 regular season. The Cyclones won all eight of those games, four of those by one possession.
In addition, the Cyclones also played four games on FS1 in the 2024 season, going 3-1 in those games, with their lone loss at Kansas. The Cyclones also played four games on FS1 in 2023, going 3-1, with the lone loss coming at Oklahoma.
When it comes to the ESPN family of networks, the Cyclones’ success rate is significantly lower. The Cyclones are lingering at a .500 win percentage and have dropped their last two games against Colorado and Cincinnati. Those two games were on ESPN and ESPN2.
Even in their five wins, three of them were only by one possession. Their two wins against Kansas State in Ireland and Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl were predictable, close games, but their road test at Arkansas State was one that stressed Iowa State fans more than predicted.
Besides the factor of which TV channel the Cyclones play on, the other noticeable factor has been their success rate at night, both at home and on the road. The Cyclones have won their last nine night games. Previously, they were 2-5.
Iowa State’s game Saturday will be televised on FOX, the network on which the Cyclones have fared better in the last season and a half.
If last year’s season was any sign, FOX could pick up the rest of the Cyclones’ games following their two-game losing streak. It could be the good luck charm that gets them back to the Big 12 Championship.
