Randy Peterson
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October 29, 2025
If ever there was an example of that quarterback getting too much credit/blame cliché, it’s Iowa State’s Rocco Becht, who, despite some ups and downs everyone playing a team’s most visible and important position goes through, will forever be known as one of the Cyclones’ all-time best.
Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser actually nailed it when talking to reporters Tuesday. “When you’re the quarterback, you carry a heavy burden already,” Mouser said during the weekly media session. “He’s a legend here. He’s one of the greatest ever to play here. I don’t want him to forget that, (just) because we’ve lost a couple games.”
So when obsessing about interceptions, losses against Cincinnati, Colorado, and BYU, you can also wonder where Iowa State football would be without him.
The junior goes into Saturday’s noon game against Arizona State at Jack Trice Stadium, with 23 wins (including seven in which Iowa State was tied or trailed in the fourth quarter) – and counting. He’s second to Brock Purdy in many Iowa State career quarterback lists.
Most important right now is that if anyone can lead the Cyclones out of their present state – it’s Rocco Becht.
“Rocco is one of the most competitive people,” Mouser continued. “He hates to lose more than he loves to win. I love him, because I know what he’s about, I know how much he cares, I know how much the community, his teammates the program -- how much all of it means to him to go win.”
Becht didn’t drop sure-fire passes that would have been touchdowns in last Saturday’s two-touchdown loss against 10-ranked unbeaten BYU. He wasn’t the reason for each of the seven sacks over the past three games.
You expected him to pop up like nothing happened, after aggressive tackles in at least two of the most recent three losses? You expected him not to be a bit wobbly, fazed or flustered?
Keep dreaming.
Becht is a tough son-of-a-coach. He’s a leader and has a brilliant quarterback mind. If anyone can snap Iowa State out of its three-game downer, it’s Rocco.
“He’s the same quarterback as when we were 5-0,” Mouser said. “I don’t ever want him to feel that it’s his fault.
“I want him to feel confident. We’ve got to get the joy back into it.”
That starts with Rocco Becht.
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THE RED ZONE
FIRST DOWN: Texas Tech certainly is on upset alert, but will it really be a surprising if the 13th-ranked Red Raiders lose against Kansas State? After a 2-4 start, Chris Klieman’s team is playing right now like everyone expected it to play. They’ve won 3 of the last 4 games, most recently convincingly against TCU and Kansas. Quarterback Avery Johnson has thrown five touchdown passes the past two games, and nine the past four. And Texas Tech was a mid-week touchdown favorite?
SECOND DOWN: Speaking of former LSU coach Brian Kelly – remember when he was one of the coaches Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard talked to during the search to replace Dan McCarney? I thought about that after LSU fired him last Sunday, recalling a practice-field interview a week or so before the Cyclones and Kelly-coached Notre Dame met in the 2019 Camping World Bowl in Orlando. I asked Kelly if he remembered the 2006 search, to which he said: “I was involved with a few jobs at the time. I saw (Iowa State) as a great opportunity. I was really impressed with Jamie and his vision of Iowa State, and it’s certainly come to fruition.” It certainly has.
THIRD DOWN: Did you catch Louisiana governor Jeff Landry’s social media post after LSU’s 24-point loss against Texas A&M last Saturday? “I think LSU sports and the LSU Board of Supervisors needs to rethink their actions to raise ticket prices for next year after tonight’s showing!” Landry wrote. That’s high-stakes college football at its unfortunate highest, a governor publicly poking his nose where his political sniffer doesn’t belong.
FOURTH DOWN: Will Deion Sanders still be coaching Colorado at this time next season? Just wondering.
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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 39-15, Peterson 39-15, Downs 37-17, Brend 37-17, Hassel 36-18, Van Winkle 36-18. For entertainment purposes only. Of course.
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ARIZONA STATE at IOWA STATE
Randy Peterson: The on-field, off-field belief in Rocco Becht that I have, leads me to believe Iowa State will recover from its three-game losing streak, with a Big 12 title game revenge win on Saturday. That’d be the pick, even if ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt was playing. Iowa State 34, Arizona State 24.
Chris Williams: Given Arizona State’s injury situation, the kick time and temperature assessment heading into Saturday, Iowa State absolutely should be a touchdown favorite in this game. It feels like this is when it finally all clicks offensively for the Cyclones. Although, we thought that would be the case last week too. Iowa State 27, Arizona State 17.
Chris Hassel: Iowa State is reeling but at least they have their key offensive weapons. Arizona State is without their top 2 players and without any kind of spark on offense. Cyclones should be able to hold them down and get right. Iowa State 24, Arizona State 10.
Andrew Downs: I’ve moved into a “believe it when I see it” mode with the Cyclones. They’re a better team than Arizona State and they should win, but until they stop shooting themselves in the foot, I’ll have to pick against them. Arizona State 31, Iowa State 30.
Matt Van Winkle: Despite a crushing loss last week, the Cyclones actually played pretty good football against a solid BYU team. This team just can't get out of its way when it comes to costly mistakes and an inability to finish drives. The running game was a huge bright spot last week and I think that continues against ASU. The Clones get back on track and get some revenge after last year's Big 12 Championship game blowout. Iowa State 27, Arizona State 17.
Jake Brend: I swore I wouldn’t pick Iowa State again until they won but no Sam Leavitt changes my stance. A perfect spot for a get-right game on a chilly Ames afternoon. Iowa State 30, Arizona State 17.
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TEXAS TECH at KANSAS STATE
Randy Peterson: Kansas State 24, Texas Tech 21
Chris Williams: Texas Tech 24, Kansas State 21
Chris Hassel: Kansas State 24, Texas Tech 23
Andrew Downs: Texas Tech 38, Kansas State 28
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas State 31, Texas Tech 28
Jake Brend: Texas Tech 27, Kansas State 20
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CINCINNATI at UTAH
Randy Peterson: Utah 31, Cincinnati 24
Chris Williams: Utah 31, Cincinnati 20
Chris Hassel: Utah 27, Cincinnati 20
Andrew Downs: Cincinnati 35, Utah 31
Matt Van Winkle: Utah 28, Cincinnati 24
Jake Brend: Utah 30, Cincinnati 21
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PENN STATE at OHIO STATE
Randy Peterson: Ohio State 30, Penn State 20
Chris Williams: Ohio State 40, Penn State 14
Chris Hassel: Ohio State 24, Penn State 10
Andrew Downs: Ohio State 27, Penn State 24
Matt Van Winkle: Ohio State 35, Penn State 13
Jake Brend: Ohio State 30, Penn State 0
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USC at NEBRASKA
Randy Peterson: USC 34, Nebraska 31
Chris Williams: Nebraska 24, USC 14
Chris Hassel: USC 34, Nebraska 30
Andrew Downs: USC 30, Nebraska 27
Matt Van Winkle: USC 34, Nebraska 27
Jake Brend: USC 34, Nebraska 30
(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.)