We may not be the best at football, but at least ISU has loyal fans
Who needs championships, anyway?
Recently there was a Facebook post from a CBS page that ranked Iowa State as the worst team in college football following their blowout loss to TCU a couple weeks ago. Even though we started the season 0-3 the student body still stands behind the rebuilding process looking more towards the future than focusing on the present.
No pro teams
Iowa is one of those few states in the nation that doesn’t have a single pro team in any sport. The closest thing we Iowans can cheer for professionally is the Iowa Cubs, the AAA farm team for the professional Chicago Cubs. That being said we rely on our collegiate schools to help entertain us and fuel our drive for competition.
When things go wrong…
As Cyclone fans we always appreciate watching the Iowa Hawkeyes lose. Despite losing to them ourselves, which essentially means our season is over, it always helps to see them fall on a big stage. And fall they did, all the way from #13 in the country to being unranked. The Hawkeyes lost to North Dakota State, which was coach Kirk Ferentz’s first loss to an FCS school. What happened next was unprecedented and honestly downright foolish.
Some of the fan base requested Ferentz either be fired or step down as head coach. Talk about a “loyal” fan base. It’s funny because he is the longest active tenured coach in the nation. He even took the Hawkeyes to the Rose Bowl last year after going undefeated before losing in the Big 10 Championship. But all that aside, one monumental loss can turn a fan base against even the greatest of coaches it seems.
Iowa State’s fan base
Coming into this school year Iowa State students and fans had something to look forward to that they hadn’t for a few years, a possible winning football season. Coach Campbell was brought over from Toledo and with him he brought most of his staff to completely rebuild the program from the ground up. He got off to a great start by giving Iowa State one of its best recruiting classes in YEARS.
After losses to Northern Iowa (FCS), Iowa (ranked in Top 25 at the time), and being blown-out by TCU it seemed like all was lost for the year. Even though fans saw another losing year they didn’t give up hope, we stayed strong knowing all we needed was one win to believe things were possible again.
Campbell’s first win
The Cyclones got their chance and seized the opportunity by routing San Jose State 44-10 on Saturday, September 24th. Though Jack Trice Stadium wasn’t packed, the crowd’s presence was felt. Following the game Campbell noted how important the fans were and how great it felt to win his first game as a Cyclone. He also noted that soon, [Ames] will be one of the best places to play a college football game, with the talent we will have along with the dedicated fan base.
So despite losing to the Hawkeyes this year and even having a worse record, one thing’s for sure. Iowa State has the better fan-base, and that goes beyond football. The Hawks can talk smack about us all they want, but we cherish the little things, and we have a bright future to look forward to as a CyclONE Nation.