Randy Peterson
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September 10, 2025
Sure, you wonder what the heck Iowa State football is doing, playing a game in steamy Jonesboro, Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. You wonder what the devil a Top 20, Power Four team like the unbeaten Cyclones are doing, playing what you’re assuming is a group-of-5 non-conference patsy -- on the road.
A setup for disaster, you’re thinking, after Cyclones victories against Kansas State in Ireland, against usual FCS power South Dakota in Ames, and against Iowa during the annual Cy-Hawk game, also at Jack Trice Stadium?
Saturday will be another Iowa State nightmare, only if Matt Campbell’s team didn’t learn a tough lesson the last time he took it on the road to face a G5 opponent. That was the 2023 game against Ohio in Athens, Ohio. That was a game Iowa State lost 10-7. That game included Campbell’s stern postgame comments to a handful reporters standing outside the locker room.
“Lack of physicality. It’s embarrassing,” he told us. “Their line physically got after us. I hate to do this, but you look at the last two years. That’s an area where the inconsistencies in our football program − we’ve not taken another step forward.”
And then everything changed. It took a road loss against Ohio to do it.
Iowa State has won 20 of 27 games since that Group-of-5 wakeup call. It would be shocking for something like that to happen Saturday, even in afternoon heat that could reach the high 90s or better.
While travelling to Jonesboro might look questionable to some people, it actually makes sound financial sense, during this zero “sound financial sense” age of college sports.
Sound financial sense as long as you win the game.
Other than Oklahoma playing at Temple on Saturday, Iowa State is the only of this week’s Top 15 that plays at a G5 opponent. And that’s all right.
It’s a home-and-home contract signed in October 2013 – before Campbell became the Cyclones coach. Home-and-homes mean no outrageous financial guarantee for the visiting team, which in this financial age of college sports, isn’t always a bad thing.
Kansas State paid $1.2 million to Army for last Saturday’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats paid more than a million – and lost 24-21.
So, would you rather pay $1.2 million and lose at home, or play an occasional non-conference game at Jonesboro – without forking over more than a million dollars that otherwise could go to pay the athletes?
As long as it doesn’t backfire, of course.
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FIRST DOWN: Could former Iowa State assistant Alex Golesh be headed back to the Big 12? Don’t bet against the USF coach getting a legitimate look if Oklahoma State cans Mike Gundy. Golesh, 41, is hot right now, after leading the Bulls to upset wins against Boise State and Florida. He’ll be even hotter if his team beats Miami of Florida on Saturday. Gundy, conversely, isn’t so hot. After his team went 0-9 in the Big 12 in 2024, the Cowboys’ 1-1 record this season includes a 66-point loss against Oregon.
SECOND DOWN: At a time Big 12 football seeks more respect, all hell is breaking loose. Kansas State losing at home against Army, Arizona State losing against Mississippi State, Kansas losing by double-digits against Missouri, West Virginia losing against Ohio, and Oklahoma State getting blown out by Oregon. Can you say “one bid league?”
THIRD DOWN: In games before off Saturday’s, Campbell’s Cyclones have a glossy 12-4 record. There’s every reason to believe that trend continues Saturday.
FOURTH DOWN: And finally, Campbell said this to reporters Tuesday, when asked about playing a G5 opponent on the road: “I don't really have any say in scheduling. The only time I've ever been asked anything on scheduling was Ireland. We play the schedule that's given to us. And, that's a beautiful, guaranteed opportunity no matter where you go or who you play.”
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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 12-3, Peterson 11-4, Hassel 10-5, Van Winkle 10-5, Downs 9-6, Brend 9-6.
IOWA STATE AT ARKANSAS STATE
Randy Peterson:Is this the game Iowa State gets its first 100-yard rusher since Abu Sama had 101 yards on 11 carries last season at Houston? That’d be 14 games ago. Chances are good, against a team that allows opponents 206 rushing yards a game – 124th nationally. Of course, that entails a Cyclone rusher playing more than a half. The scoreboard will determine when CMC starts pulling his regulars.Iowa State 33, Arkansas State 10.
Chris Hassel:Just get in and get out with a win and get to the bye. Don’t care how it looks. Ark State is really bad so I don’t think the Cyclones will be tested.Iowa State 30, Arkansas State 7.
Chris Williams:Arkansas State has one of the worst defenses in FBS football - especially against the run. The only question here is how badly Iowa State will want to score in the second half vs. simply running out the clock.Iowa State 45, Arkansas State 13.
Andrew Downs:Matt Campbell will try to convince you that this is a scary spot for the Cyclones. It’s not.Iowa State 42, Arkansas State 17.
Matt Van Winkle:Iowa State handled this same team with ease last season and will be the same this year. It's supposed to be 100 degrees in Arkansas, so I don't expect this to be a high scoring game. Clones cover and move to 4-0. Iowa State 38, Arkansas State 7.
Jake Brend:It’s going to be hot in Jonesboro with a high of 97. For a team that already struggles to stop the run like Arkansas State, I would expect ISU to run the ball from the jump. Arkansas State has some speed and puts up some early points but Alex Manske is able to take over late in the 3rd.Iowa State 38, Arkansas State 20.
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UMASS AT IOWA
Randy Peterson:Of course, Iowa wins this game. It’s the ranked opponents the Hawkeyes can’t beat. Grono shows more of what fans thought he’d be. Will it be enough to quiet the criticism? Is it ever enough?Iowa 34, UMASS 3.
Chris Hassel:This is where we see KF allow Lester to call his kind of game. Gronowski will look like the QB Iowa fans thought they were getting in the offseason.Iowa 38, UMASS 0.
Chris Williams:The Minutemen rank 110th nationally in scoring offense through two games this season. Expect Iowa’s defensive line to feast in this matchup.Iowa 42, UMass 6.
Andrew Downs:Iowa’s offense will look better, they might even try to throw the ball beyond the sticks. Defense, special teams, and run game will shine. Hawks roll. Nobody feels better.Iowa 38, UMASS 9.
Matt Van Winkle:UMass is horrible. This is a name your score game for the Hawkeyes. Gronowski passes for more than 200 yards and eases some concern for Iowa fans.Iowa 45, UMass 3.
Jake Brend:Iowa rolls but they learn nothing. Fans celebrate win 206 but it’s not what it could’ve been.Iowa 37, UMass 6.
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KANSAS STATE AT ARIZONA
Randy Peterson: Arizona 33, Kansas State 31.
Chris Hassel: Arizona 24, Kansas State 21.
Chris Williams: Arizona 31, Kansas State 27.
Andrew Downs: Arizona 30, K-State 27.
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas State 24, Arizona 21.
Jake Brend: Kansas State 33, Arizona 30.
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OREGON AT NORTHWESTERN
Randy Peterson: Oregon 31, Northwestern 17.
Chris Hassel: Oregon 40, Northwestern 10.
Chris Williams: Oregon 50, Northwestern 10.
Andrew Downs: Oregon 48, Northwestern 17.
Matt Van Winkle: Oregon 52, Northwestern 10.
Jake Brend: Oregon 45, Northwestern 0.
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WISCONSIN AT ALABAMA
Randy Peterson: Alabama 30, Wisconsin 10.
Chris Hassel: Alabama 49, Wisconsin 13.
Chris Williams: Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14.
Andrew Downs: Alabama 50, Wisconsin 3.
Matt Van Winkle: Alabama 42, Wisconsin 24.
Jake Brend: Alabama 27, Wisconsin 13.
(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.)