Matt Campbell at Big 12 Media Days 2024: Top 5 questions we want Iowa State HC to answer
Matt Campbell will kick off his ninth season as Iowa State's head coach at Big 12 Media Days 2024. It's been an up and down run for Campbell and his Cyclones. After Iowa State had a five year bowl streak snapped in 2022, Campbell and ISU rebounded to 7-6 last year. Here's what we'd like to hear Campbell discuss at Big 12 Media Days.
Top 5 questions for Matt Campbell and Iowa State at Big 12 Media Days 2024
#1.Can Rocco Becht be the best Iowa State QB ever?
A season ago, a big part of the Cyclones' resurgence came at quarterback. Becht won the job as a redshirt freshman. While he had tons of potential, few probably expected a season of 3,120 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
Becht returns some excellent receivers and Iowa State's ground game almost can't help but improve. But how high is his ceiling? Could Brock Purdy's school record of 12,170 passing yards be a possibility?
#2. Where will the ground game come from?
A season ago, Iowa State's running game flat struggled. ISU averaged just 120 rushing yards per game. Top back Abu Sama did show potential, racking up 614 yards on just 84 carries. In fact, no rusher had more than 102 carries for the Cyclones.
Sama, as noted, is back and could see a bigger role. True freshman Dylan Lee and Eastern Michigan transfer Jaylon Jackson could also help. There's plenty of names, but not much history of productivity to go on.
#3. What can Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel do for an encore?
Among the tandems of excellent pass catchers, few were as good or as anonymous as Higgins and Noel. A year ago, they combined for 119 catches for 1,803 yards and 13 scores. Higgins is the lengthy outside target, at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds (53 catches, 983 yards). Noel is small and shifty at 5-foot-10 (66 catches, 820 yards).
Could both receivers reach 1,000 yards? Tight end Benjamin Brahmer might stop that from happening, because he is also an excellent receiver who will merit catches. Higgins and Noel won't catch headlines, but only passes instead.
#4. Is Beau Freyler the best linebacker nobody knows about?
A season ago, Iowa State's defense was led by Freyler, who managed 107 tackles from his linebacker spot. On a defense that returns nine starters, Freyler stands out among the rest. A 6-foot-2, 220 pound standout, Freyler is strong enough to play the run and fast enough to play the pass.
State's defense held opponents to just 22.8 points and 363 yards per game a year ago. Coordinator Jon Heacock can count on Freyler to lead an imposing group again.
#5. How high can State climb?
As good as Campbell has been, he's reached nine wins just once in nine seasons. The new additions to the Big 12 won't make his task easier. State has to go to Utah, West Virginia and Kansas, as well as a non-conference rivalry game at Iowa.
Has Campbell hit his ceiling in Ames or will 2024 trend upward again for the Cyclones? That'll be the question on many minds at Big 12 Media Days.
What do you think of ISU's upcoming season? Let us hear your thoughts below in our comments section!