All this with only recent success.
What this confirms, particularly with a little longer period of success, is that ISU in the BIG against other large state schools or SEC has a similar valuation as other non-bluuebloods, and likely higher than most realize. The conference brand helps make the program value, as much as the individual program brand makes the conference brand. Southern Miss could quickly pull Miss St numbers if switching conferences.
Of course, networks are trying to segregate. They want to be able to increase the matchup of the teams that pull, so 4 million is the new low mark, and more of the matchups are getting those Ohio St-Oregon numbers.
If the networks are viewing 4 mil as some watermark, then the league should include Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, OU, UT, A&M, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin and USC. Everybody else in 4 mil games is typically just along for the ride.
Now there is a solid tier of teams that help them get there, such as Oregon, Nebraska, Oklahoma St., Iowa, ISU, Auburn, UNC, and a few others.