Randy Peterson
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November 26, 2025
As Matt Campbell wraps up his 10th Iowa State football regular season, here’s wondering if this is could be just the beginning:
Do the Campbells have 10 more Cyclones seasons in them?
They’ve already said thanks but no thanks, when asked to interview at other colleges and in the NFL. He could have left more than once, but didn’t. And yes, that still could happen, with high-profile Penn State still on the head coaching prowl.
But another decade of Matt Campbell Cyclones football, when many thought he’d never reach a first 10, might not be as far-fetched as some of our alleged national experts lead you to believe.
Bill Snyder coached 27 seasons during two stints at Kansas State. Kirk Ferentz is wrapping up his 27th season at Iowa.
Staying at one place for a long time – it happens.
Iowa State fans love Campbell. The administration has his back. The university’s new president has a solid sports background -- a positive in this changing-by-the-minute NIL world.
Campbell’s program has avoided the financial jealousy that has rocked some Power 4 football locker rooms. That, obviously, could change, but so far, so good.
And really, is there a difference between $5 million a year and $9 million? Other than the booster-pressure headaches that go along with some higher-salaried coaches, of course.
Campbell, 46 on Saturday, has coached in two Big 12 Conference championship games. The upcoming bowl will be his eighth as a Cyclone.
Winning the Big 12 Conference championship game, and reaching the College Football Playoffs have, so far, eluded the school’s winningest coach. However, with the return of at least 25 players that started at various times this season -- there’s legitimate hope for 2026.
Campbell signed an eight-year contract extension last winter that runs through the 2032 season -- and yes, contracts sometimes are only as good as the paper on which they’re written. Head coaches change daily. There are no guarantees.
So back to the question:
At this time in 2035, will Matt Campbell be finishing his 20th Iowa State season?
Just wondering.
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THE RED ZONE
First down: Confused about the “bracketing” at the Players Festival event in Las Vegas? You’re not alone. That’s not an indictment about the slaughter-an-opponent-and-advance tournament, it’s just one person’s reality.
Second down: Kansas and Baylor need upset victories to reach the bowl-eligible 6-win standard. Kansas hosts Utah, and Baylor entertains Houston. Their bowl-participation odds aren’t good.
Third down: I liked Houston coach Kelvin Sampson’s comment on the ESPN web site about his team participating in the Players Era Festival for the second year in a row: “We signed up for this, because they're giving us $1 million,” he said. “If they decided to put a court down at some vacant lot and they'd give us $1 million -- I'd go play there, too. It saves us from having to go ask somebody else for the money. There is a thing called donor fatigue."
Fourth down: “Donor fatigue.” Keep those two words in mind, during this transition to what some are calling pay-for-play college athletics.
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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 cumulative straight-up score is: Williams 53-22, Peterson 52-23, Brend 52-23, Van Winkle 50-25, Downs 49-26, Hassel 48-27. For entertainment purposes only. Of course. Here we go again:
IOWA STATE at OKLAHOMA STATE
Randy Peterson: If this goes as anticipated, backup QBs Alex Manske and Connor Moberly could split fourth-quarter snaps. It’s also a good chance to for backups at all positions. An eight-win regular season will become reality. Iowa State 34, Oklahoma State 3.
Chris Williams: Iowa State will win this game but give credit to the Cowboys where it’s due. They have competed every week and actually gotten better as the season has gone along. Weird game in front of an empty stadium. Cyclones need to create their own energy. Iowa State 27, Oklahoma State 17.
Chris Hassel: Cyclones have turned the season around and should have no trouble with a team that hasn’t won a Big 12 game since Texas and OU were still in the conference. Iowa State 28, Oklahoma State 10.
Andrew Downs: The Cyclone momentum carries them into Stillwater with a head of steam and they use it to build an early lead and never look back. Iowa State 31, Oklahoma State 21.
Matt Van Winkle: Iowa State will be able to do whatever it wants to against a BAD Oklahoma State team. Nine wins is still on the table for the Cyclones and I think they put a hurt on the Cowboys. Rocco Becht has his swagger back and Carson Hansen is making a case as one of the top running backs in the league. Clones win big. Iowa State 45, Oklahoma State 21.
Jake Brend: Oklahoma State is playing slightly better but they are still the worst Big 12 team since pre-Leipold Kansas. As long as Iowa State doesn’t shoot themselves in both feet, their shins and their kneecaps, it’ll be a comfortable win. Iowa State 27, Oklahoma State 10.
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IOWA at NEBRASKA
Randy Peterson: As Iowa continues doing everything it can to keep games close, the Hawkeyes can rejoice in having all-world kick returner Kaden Wetjen and place-kicker Drew Stevens on their side. Iowa 27, Nebraska 24.
Chris Williams: The Huskers were really disappointing last week at Penn State. It’s not like Iowa was great at home against the Big Ten’s worst team. Still just feels like Iowa is the better team here. Nebraska is super young, on a backup quarterback and is ready to move onto 2026. Iowa 20, Nebraska 14.
Chris Hassel: This one is always close and usually Iowa makes the play to win it. Not going to overthink this one. Hawkeyes win on a last-second FG. Iowa 20, Nebraska 17.
Andrew Downs: Iowa’s offense looks better than it did against Michigan State (how could it not?). The Hawkeyes don’t need a last second field goal this year, they roll. Iowa 28, Nebraska 10.
Matt Van Winkle: I'm actually really excited to watch this game. Iowa coming off an emotional comeback win on senior night and a Nebraska team that just got embarrassed at Penn State. I wish Raiola was playing, but I don't think it would matter. Iowa's defense keeps Nebraska out of the end zone and the Hawkeye dominance over the Huskers continues. Iowa 17, Nebraska 6.
Jake Brend: It’s fitting that there’s a chance of snow for this one, either way I have a feeling this will be ugly. I bet it ends in another Drew Steven’s walk-off. Iowa 13, Nebraska 12.
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TEXAS TECH at WEST VIRGINIA
Randy Peterson: Texas Tech 34, West Virginia 17
Chris Williams: Texas Tech 41, West Virginia 13
Chris Hassel: Texas Tech 50, West Virginia 14
Andrew Downs: Texas Tech 38, West Virginia 17
Matt Van Winkle: Texas Tech 35, West Virginia 17
Jake Brend: Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 13
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UCF at BYU
Randy Peterson: BYU 37, UCF 10
Chris Williams: BYU 34, UCF 10
Chris Hassel: BYU 49, UCF 7
Andrew Downs: BYU 30, UCF 21
Matt Van Winkle: BYU 38, UCF 10
Jake Brend: BYU 38, UCF 6
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OHIO STATE at MICHIGAN
Randy Peterson: Ohio State 34, Michigan 24
Chris Williams: Ohio State 27, Michigan 20
Chris Hassel: Ohio State 21, Michigan 20
Andrew Downs: Ohio State 35, Michigan 23
Matt Van Winkle: Ohio State 27, Michigan 17
Jake Brend: Ohio State 30, Michigan 10
(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.)