Iowa @ Iowa State: Though Texas Tech doesn’t face Iowa State this year, seeing Matt Campbell’s decline is still fun
Most Texas Tech fans don’t harbor any animosity toward Iowa State. However, the Big 12’s resident Adam Sandler look-alike, Matt Campbell, has irritated many in Lubbock during his time as the Cyclones’ head coach. That’s mainly due to the dominance he once exhibited over the Red Raiders.
However, Tech has claimed the last two meetings with the Cyclones to help take the sting out of the irritation toward ISU. Still, it is fun to watch a coach who was once the Big 12’s golden boy start to slide off of the perch he so recently enjoyed.
Since playing for the Big 12 title in 2021, Campbell’s program is just 12-14 in the last two-plus seasons. Now, he has one of the most scandal-ridden programs in the nation, and not much is expected from his team in 2023.
Campbell would do well to turn the tide against his university’s in-state rival, Iowa. Going just 1-6 against the Hawkeyes in his tenure has been a huge issue for the man who curves the bill of his cap more than a frat boy in 2002.
His one win in this series did come last year, a thrilling 10-7 win in Iowa City. This year, points might actually be distributed a bit more liberally in this game though.
Last week, against Utah State, Iowa racked up a stunning 24 points in a 24-14 win. Meanwhile, the Cyclones scored a 30-9 win over Northern Iowa.
For some fans, this rivalry is the college football version of Ambien. However, if watching a coach who once was a rising star in the sport try to hang onto his job as it slips away from him is fascinating to you, this might be a game worth at least keeping on a second screen.
ESPN gives Iowa State a 57.5% chance to win but the history between these two teams makes most feel like an ISU triumph would be surprising. Texas Tech doesn’t play Iowa State this year so what the Cyclones do won’t likely impact the Red Raiders. However, they will be conference foes for years to come in the new Big 12 so rooting for their continued decline would be in Red Raider fans’ interest.