PETERSON: Weekend thoughts include Iowa State’s Matt Campbell The GOAT, Abu Sama popping a long one, and a bookie bankrolling a player

Hung up on Iowa State’s offense not clicking until the second half of games? Trust me, you’re probably not alone.

Concerned about an early-game pass or two sailing over the head of an open receiver?

I’m sure some others might be, too.

Wondering about a route that’s just shy of the first-down line?

That’s been out there, as well, but let’s also all agree on this:

Iowa State football has become so good, that nit-picking, in this case, actually is a compliment. It’s expected for a program Matt Campbell and his staff have made nationally relevant. 

You'd rather have people taking about you, then not giving a darn what happens on the field, right? While everyone understands that, they should know this, too:

When you’ve got a defense like Iowa State’s, then what’s the big deal about the offense not showing up until the second half?

That’s a bit cynical, sure, but we always need something about which to mildly be concerned. As long as the defense continues to bail out the offense – like has been known to happen more than a time or two – then all’s well, regardless how long it takes the other guys to show up.

That’s the way it’s been a couple times this season, but let’s get this out there, too: There’s no more opponents like North Dakota, Arkansas State or Houston remaining on the schedule. From opening kickoff to the end of games, both sides must play well. What FS1 analyst Spencer Tillman told viewers on the telecast Saturday night has a bit of truth to it:

“They shouldn’t be struggling with this if they’re that legitimate of a team. They’ve got to find a way to crack the code.”

Sometimes the truth hurts, although I consider Iowa State to be nationally legitimate in all three phases – and yes, that includes the offense. The Cyclones, with all the experience and playmakers it has on that side of the ball, should be playing better at the start of games.

While rewatching Saturday’s first half of what became a 20-0 Iowa State victory at Houston, something Campbell said afterwards was clear – that some plays were just a smidge from becoming bigger plays.

I saw it on an Abu Sama early run or two – long before he popped a fourth-quarter 77-yard touchdown breakaway. I saw it on a couple Rocco Becht passes that sailed just a bit too high. I saw it on a dropped pass or two that sure-handed receivers usually catch.

Cause for national concern? Heavens no. Everything is correctible.

Iowa State’s offense is the least of my concerns heading into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m., whiteout against Baylor at Jack Trice Stadium. If you really want to nitpick, how about two of the Cyclones’ five kickoffs being returnable. Maybe that was by design. Maybe not. For certain, it’s not a major deal, unless it becomes one.

Sure, Iowa State’s offense has scored 17 more points in the second half than the first during this wonderful 4-0 start. If you want to make it a huge deal, then have at it.

Know also that coordinator Taylor  Mouser’s guys have made positive halftime corrections. That’s the silver-lining here, because the defense won’t be around to pick up the slack all the time. Last season’s Liberty Bowl rings my bell on that one.

Anyhow, situations like this are a lot better experiencing now, than, let’s say, the final two season games at Utah and at home against Kansas State.

The Cyclones have fixed these minor missteps in past, which means the same can happen again.

Who says I my glass isn’t half full?

That’s one of the thoughts I had during this season’s fourth weekend. Here’s a couple others:

Sep 28, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) talks on the bench after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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MATT CAMPBELL: Iowa State’s football coach for life.

Sure, why not. He’s already won a school-record 57 games since becoming the coach before the 2016 season. At this rate, he might as well go for another 57. At 44, he’s still young. At 53, when he’d reach his second 57, he’d be a still-young 53.

With the 12-team college football playoffs, Campbell and his staff just might have this program on that path for a while. The recruiting is at an all-time best. Fans love him. His family likes the community. He has good relationship with university and athletic department leadership.

And anyway, bigger is not always better in this college football world of the portal, expansion, and no NCAA leadership. As for the pros?

All bets are off, and speaking of . . . .

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An NIL deal with a gambling outfit?

Memo to the ex-UNLV quarterback (I can’t recall your name) who claims the school welched on an NIL deal for which there was no contract: Your former teammates don’t need you.

You probably know they hung 59 on Fresno State Saturday. Wherever you end up, make sure there’s a contract that explicitly states how much money you’re getting. That should be NIL-101.

And to the betting company that supposedly offered what’s-his-name, the alleged promised money – that’d be a hoot, a team’s most important player working for a bookie.

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AND FINALLY . . .

I presume Dave Aranda will coach Baylor against Iowa State on Saturday.