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Randy Peterson
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November 05, 2025
Let’s bury the lede – or the quarterback: Leave Rocco Becht alone; he’s the best QB Iowa State has, regardless what some people say
Sure, there’s been chatter among fans, wondering if it’s time Becht takes off a possession or two. Not permanent time off, certainly. Just a rest. A brief recharge while watching someone else lead a few reps.
That’s the extent of concern among some after a four-game losing streak. Blame the quarterback. It’s his fault. Time for someone else to at least temporarily run the show.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Sometimes, change is needed – like when Brock Purdy became the Cyclones’ QB 1 during the first quarter at Oklahoma State in October 2018. But is there the same urgency seven seasons later?
No way, and anyhow, coach Matt Campbell would have already changed, if Rocco’s been the problem.
Again, where would Iowa State be without Becht? One of the school’s all-time best, it’s not his fault 5-4 Iowa State enters Saturday’s game at TCU, stinging from consecutive losses against Cincinnati, Colorado, BYU and Arizona State.
He certainly can share blame -- with over-throws or under-throws. But what about when receivers, nine games into the season, still run wrong routes? What about the blitzing linebacker or safety that somehow only the quarterback sees? Wasn’t he even checked out for a possible concussion at one point? And how’s his shoulder hanging these days?
Start someone else on Saturday?
No way.
What kind of message does that send for however many games remain this season, and next? Remember, Becht is a junior. He has another season remaining.
“What Rocco is doing is he's certainly giving us a chance to win every Saturday,” Campbell told reporters Tuesday. “It's what he's done since he's played here every single game.”
There’s still a chance to win seven or eight regular-season games. This isn’t time to change the starter. If things go horribly after a quarter or so Saturday, then maybe go to the bench.
Until then, Becht has earned the chance to rally the team, as he’s rallied it before.
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THE RED ZONE
First down: It’s time for the Deion Sanders Project to end. The all-show, no-go stuff is wearing thin. Will he be the coach when Colorado plays at Jack Trice Stadium in 2027? Highly unlikely, assuming someone steps up and pays this contract buyout, which currently is $33 million, per published reports. He’s canned assistants. The Buffs’ transfer portal emphasis has been a bust.
Second down: Curious about an Iowa State football team that’s already played itself out of a second Big 12 title game in a row? And Arizona State, too? It happens. Often. In the four games after the Cyclones and Oklahoma played for the Big 12’s 2020 overall championship – no one has repeated. Oklahoma State has even slid from making the 2021 title game to a 4-5 conference record the next and the worst team in the Big 12 now. The Curse of the Big 12 Title Game? Sure, for those who believe.
Third down: Speaking of Cyclones running backs, Iowa State has two currently among the Big 12’s Top Ten in yards gained. The last time the Cyclones finished a season with two in the first 10 was Jared Barnett and Jeff Woody, seventh and 10th respectively, in 2011. Why so long? Because for multiple seasons between then and now, David Montgonery and more recently Breece Hall got most of the carries.
Fourth down: Is Iowa at No. 20 in the first CFP rankings because it lost by just 20-15 against Indiana? We’ll see on Saturday, when the Hawkeyes host Oregon.
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The Iowa Everywhere staff gives their best shot at predicting top local interest weekend games. And for those who care, our three-week straight-up score is: Williams 42-17, Peterson 42-17, Downs 41-18, Brend 41-18, Hassel 39-20, Van Winkle 39-20. For entertainment purposes only. Of course.
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IOWA STATE at TCU
Randy Peterson: I used to think playing on the road can be good for a team that’s been unable to win a few games, but four losses in a row? Even though TCU’s two-game winning streak is modest, it still beats Oh-for-October. Iowa State can win; the Frogs aren’t great. But . . . TCU 34, Iowa State 27.
Chris Williams: I just don’t see this going well for Iowa State. TCU is as healthy as it has been all season, has really good wide receivers, a really good quarterback and the Cyclones can’t put it in the end zone. My hope is the Cyclones can keep it close, get to a bye week and win their last two to go 7-5. TCU 38, Iowa State 24
Chris Hassel: Iowa State hasn’t done anything to make me think they can win a game like this. Cyclones drop their 5th straight. TCU 27, Iowa State 20.
Andrew Downs: Like last week, I can’t pick the Cyclones until they prove that they can find a way to win instead of finding a way to lose. TCU 30, Iowa State 20.
Matt Van Winkle: At this point, I simply can't pick Iowa State to win a road game after what we've seen from this team the past month. TCU is coming off back-to-back wins behind QB Josh Hoover. Maybe hitting the road will be good for a reeling Cyclone team, but I don't see it happening. TCU 34, Iowa State 24.
Jake Brend: If Iowa State wants to win this game, they have to score 35+ points. This TCU offense is a bad matchup for a beat-up Cyclone defense and I think that makes for a long Saturday in Fort Worth. TCU 41, Iowa State 23.
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OREGON at IOWA
Randy Peterson: This is purely home field. Nothing more, nothing less. Biggest home game for Iowa since -- let’s just say it’s been a while, and Kirk Ferentz’ team lives up to the excitement that’s always part of the Big Noon Kickoff. The stats heavily favor Oregon. The intangibles? Iowa 21, Oregon 20.
Chris Williams: Shockingly, we are in November and Oregon’s best win is against Northwestern while Iowa’s is against Minnesota. However, this game has massive College Football Playoff implications. I like Oregon here until Iowa proves to me that it can beat an elite level team, but I do believe this one goes to the wire. Oregon 27, Iowa 24
Chris Hassel: This is it. Iowa must rise to the moment. You have the pieces and the momentum and the crowd. Iowa gets one of its biggest wins in 15 years. Iowa 21, Oregon 20.
Andrew Downs: Kinnick Stadium used to be where high ranked teams go to die. It’s been a while, but the Hawks are rolling and the crowd will be fired up. This may be more heart than head. Iowa 28, Oregon 27.
Matt Van Winkle: I can't believe I'm doing this, but give me the damn Hawkeyes. Both teams come in with rest. Big Noon Kickoff, CBS... this one sets up as one of the biggest games at Kinnick in a long, long time. Iowa is clicking right now in all facets. Add in the Kinnick factor. Should be electric. Iowa 28, Oregon 27.
Jake Brend: I think Iowa is good enough to hang with Oregon, especially at Kinnick. The Hawkeyes hang in the game until the fourth quarter and Oregon’s top-five talent is the difference. Oregon 27, Iowa 14.
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TEXAS TECH at BYU
Randy Peterson: Texas Tech 27, BYU 13
Chris Williams: Texas Tech 31, BYU 17
Chris Hassel: Texas Tech 27, BYU 20
Andrew Downs: Texas Tech 42, BYU 38
Matt Van Winkle: Texas Tech 31, BYU 27
Jake Brend: Texas Tech 34, BYU 17
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KANSAS at ARIZONA
Randy Peterson: Arizona 33, Kansas 21
Chris Williams: Kansas 34, Arizona 31
Chris Hassel: Arizona 28, Kansas 24
Andrew Downs: Kansas 35, Arizona 31
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas 28, Arizona 24
Jake Brend: Kansas 41, Arizona 38
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INDIANA at PENN STATE
Randy Peterson: Indiana 44, Penn State 17
Chris Williams: Indiana 40, Penn State 17
Chris Hassel: Penn State 20, Indiana 17
Andrew Downs: Indiana 41, Penn State 24
Matt Van Winkle: Indiana 42, Penn State 28
Jake Brend: Indiana 45, Penn State 0
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UCLA at NEBRASKA
Randy Peterson: UCLA 23, Nebraska 20
Chris Williams: UCLA 27, Nebraska 20
Chris Hassel: UCLA 28, Nebraska 20
Andrew Downs: UCLA 24, Nebraska 21
Matt Van Winkle: UCLA 27, Nebraska 17
Jake Brend: UCLA 23, Nebraska 20
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a past Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)