ORLANDO, Fla. — Matt Campbell isn’t thinking about what could have been.
Saturday, Iowa State will play Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Wednesday afternoon, Arizona State will play Texas in the Peach Bowl as part of the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
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Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (1) catches a touchdown pass as Iowa State defensive back Jeremiah Cooper, rear, defends in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship game in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 7.
If ISU beat ASU in the Big 12 Championship Game, it would be the Cyclones playing in the semifinals of the CFP. Instead, the Sun Devils ran the Cyclones over 49-15 in a game that might as well have been over early in the third quarter. Sure, that particular game was disappointing for Iowa State, but it’s far from how Campbell views the 2024 season.
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To recap, ISU started 7-0 for the first time since 1938 and won 10 regular-season games for the first time. A walk-off victory at Iowa got the season’s momentum rolling and a win at home against Kansas State let fans finish the home season on the field. ISU advanced from a four-way tie to its second Big 12 Championship Game.
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Fans celebrate on the field after a game between Iowa State and Kansas State Nov. 30 in Ames, Iowa.
Friday, a reporter asked Campbell about the line of thinking that falling short of the CFP renders a season a disappointment.
“I mean, think about what I just said, 133 years in our school, and we have never won 10 games,” Campbell said. “We’ve been in two Big 12 Championship games, in you know, the last four years. Nobody even thought that was possible at Iowa State. To say something like that is ridiculous to be quite honest with you.”
A little over two weeks ago, Campbell signed a contract extension through 2032. The biggest reason for that is his on-field success, but part of the reason he is ISU’s winningest football coach is because he takes seriously the other aspects of the job. To Campbell, great people leaving his program is never disappointing.
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Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, right, talks with Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman before their game on Nov. 30 in Ames, Iowa.
“We’ll have 20 seniors that are going to leave and they are going to go be great fathers, husbands,” Campbell said. “But the one thing they are going able to do is they are going to be great leaders of people because of their experience and what they have been accomplished in the season.”
Ben Hutchens is an Iowa State University beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at Ben.Hutchens@lee.net.
Is Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell disappointed with the Cyclones’ season so far?
In a recent press conference, Campbell addressed questions about Iowa State’s performance this season, stating that while there have been some setbacks and challenges, he remains proud of the team’s effort and resilience.
Campbell acknowledged that there have been some disappointing losses and missed opportunities, but he emphasized the importance of staying focused and continuing to improve each week. He highlighted the growth and development of the players throughout the season, and expressed confidence in their ability to finish strong.
Overall, while Campbell may have hoped for better results, he remains optimistic and determined to lead Iowa State to success in the remaining games of the season.
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