AMES — Iowa State’s 24-16 win at Arkansas State on Saturday was anything but comfortable.
The Cyclones (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big 12) relied on junior quarterback Rocco Becht to win another one-score game, which has been a successful formula. Becht has promised he’s trying to win games by more comfortable margins. A game against the Red Wolves, a team ISU beat 52-7 last season, where the Cyclones were favored by 21.5 points, should have been one of those wins.
Here are three burning questions facing ISU as the Cyclones enter their first bye week:
Should ISU stop scheduling group-of-five away games?
ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard explained that ISU saves up to $4 million by playing road games at group-of-five conference schools. That number doesn’t factor in unrealized revenue from a home game, but it still provides significant funds for the athletic department to divide up.
Pollard’s logic is that his coaches would rather have $4 million more to spend on NIL for players than play an extra home game. Campbell said Tuesday he mostly stays out of scheduling decisions.
It’s important to note that the Arkansas State game was scheduled 10 years ago. ISU is set to travel to Bowling Green in 2027 after hosting Bowling Green in 2026. In 2023, ISU lost at Ohio.
But as Arkansas State, a three-touchdown underdog, threatened to take a fourth-quarter lead against ISU on Saturday, it begged the question: How much would losing this game cost? Not in terms of dollars, but in terms of ISU’s quest to reach the College Football Playoff or a prominent bowl game.
A loss would have sent No. 14 ISU tumbling in the AP Poll. The ranking is gold in terms of remaining in the national spotlight, television exposure and fans continuing to show up to support a successful product.
Verdict: If that money goes directly to building a roster talented enough to beat any group-of-five opponent, keep scheduling them.
Will Gabe Burkle be healthy after the bye?
Junior tight end Gabe Burkle is ISU’s second-leading receiver this season with 149 yards. He has become ISU’s go-to player in critical short-yardage situations with his signature pop-pass play.
Burkle traveled to Jonesboro, Arkansas, but did not play because of a groin injury. Coach Matt Campbell revealed Burkle “got dinged up” at Thursday’s practice.
“I think for us, it just felt like it would have been the wrong situation,” Campbell said. “I didn’t think he was fully healthy, and I didn’t think it was the right thing for him.”
ISU’s passing game results were mixed without Burkle. Senior tight end Tyler Moore caught two passes for 58 yards, while freshman Cooper Alexander caught one pass for 14 yards.
“I thought Tyler Moore made some great plays for us in the pass game,” Campbell said. “It was great to see him. Obviously, Ben made the big third-down reception, but we’ve got some depth there and feel very confident in that piece of it.”
Verdict: Unknown, but tight end is one of ISU’s deepest positions.
What have the Cyclones proven?
Iowa State has navigated a difficult portion of its schedule — one Campbell called the nation’s hardest.
On paper, the wins aren’t that impressive: Kansas State has looked downright bad and is 1-3. South Dakota is 1-2 with a loss to Lamar. Nothing about Iowa’s 2-1 start has been inspiring.
The challenge in ISU’s schedule is the what and where rather than the who.
In week zero, ISU played in Dublin, Ireland. Seven days later, the Cyclones hosted a top-ranked FCS opponent. After that, the Cyclones hosted Iowa in Jack Trice Stadium, a place they hadn’t won Cy-Hawk since 2011. To cap it all off was a trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas and 100-degree heat.
Verdict: These wins might not be what builds ISU’s College Football Playoff resumé, but they show ISU is a mature team capable of winning those games this season.
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