Off the top of my head, I would say ISU was decent-good 4-5 years out of Fry's 20 years. Maybe 7-8 years out of the 26 that KF played them. So yes, SLIGHT edge in difficulty to KF. Hayden was 15-5 vs them.
KF 14-12
It is the single worst blemish on Kirk's tenure as HC
Off the top of my head, I would say ISU was decent-good 4-5 years out of Fry's 20 years. Maybe 7-8 years out of the 26 that KF played them. So yes, SLIGHT edge in difficulty to KF.
This is the quote I have a major problem with. Which ISU teams were decent to good? The 1980 team was 6-5 beating 3 mid majors and Iowa and going 2-5 in the Big 8. They beat a 3-8 KSU and 3-7-1 OSU. They also lost to a 1-10 Colorado who had lost every other game including to Drake 22-41. Is this one of your decent teams or good teams?
ISU Teams Kirk faced.
2000 9-3 and 25th in the final AP poll. The beat Pitt for the first bowl win in school history.
2001 7-5 facing UNI, Ohio, Iowa, Alabama, and 8 Big 12 teams.
2002 7-7 facing #21 Florida St, #5 Oklahoma, #6 Texas, #7 KSU, #20 Colorado, #15 Boise St in the bowl game.
2004 7-5
2005 7-5
2017 8-5 Lost to 8-5 Iowa, beat #3 Oklahoma, lost to #9 TCU, #14 OSU, and #25 Memphis in the bowl.
2018 8-5 lost to #25 Iowa again. The were 6-3 in the Big 12 losing to #4 Oklahoma, 7-6 TCU, #9 Texas and the bowl game to #10 Washington St. They ended at #18 in the college Football play-off poll.
2019 7-6 lost to #15 Iowa, and #12 Notre Dame in the Bowl. Was 5-4 in the Big 12. Lost to #13 Baylor, 8-5 OSU, #7 Oklahoma, beat #25 Texas, lost to 8-5 KSU.
2023 7-6 Lost to #24 Iowa, was 6-3 in the Big 12 losing to #15 Oklahoma, #23 Kansas, #3 Texas, beat #18 KSU lost the bowl to 10-3 Memphis. They also lost to 10-3 Ohio.
2024 11-3 and #24 in the final AP poll. They beat #18 Miami in the bowl game.
2025 8-4
There is no comparison between ISU Fry played and ISU Kirk played.