Notre Dame: Five Things to Know About Iowa State

You may look from a far and wonder how in the world a 7-5 Iowa State was chosen to get to Orlando over 8-4 squads they lost to. You might not think of a traditional football powerhouse when you hear Iowa State but they’ve got a following that would lead you to believe otherwise.

Head Coach Matt Campbell:

He’s linked the NFL annually at this point and even though 7-5 might not seem like anything special but compare it to what has been done at Iowa State in previous regimes and it stands out.

Previous to Campbell’s arrival Iowa State hadn’t had three-straight seven win seasons since winning eight in three-straight from 1976-78.

His record may be just 26-24 in now four seasons at the helm but like I said, that alone is success Iowa State hasn’t seen in 40 years.

Campbell went 35-15 at Toledo before taking the Iowa State job and their is at least one person who believes that Notre Dame is one of perhaps three jobs he’d actually leave for.

No doubt an on-the-rise head coach was a great selling point for the Camping World Bowl to take the Cyclones, either.

Close Calls Good and Bad: