Matt Campbell received a contract extension through 2032, and quite deservingly so after surpassing Dan McCarney as the program’s winningest head coach last season and leading the Iowa State Cyclones to bowl games in 7 of the past 8 seasons. But his QB1, Rocco Becht, is feeling the heat everywhere he goes. The junior was even mentioned in SI’s most intriguing QBs of 2025 — sadly, in the “just missed list” at best. Campbell has stability on the headset, but under center, the spotlight is burning hot. The good thing is we know where he can shake things up for good.

Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino, on their show, didn’t shy away from the QB conversation in their Week 0 preview of Kansas State vs. Iowa State. Joe said, “My main focus on this is knowing Avery Johnson coming back into the season, showing us highs and lows of last year of what he could be. Knowing that he is a tremendous runner and that they’ve got a decent offensive line coming back with not great experience, but enough to feel like they’ll be able to pave some lanes for him and for Dylan Edwards, who didn’t get a ton of touches last year but was still a spark plug in relief of DJ Giddens. Their defense… I really like it. I think that Austin Romaine, I think that Brendan Mott, two very quality front seven guys that they have. I am having a lot of trouble buying into Iowa State because, frankly, I don’t know if I can trust Rocco Becht without Jaden Higgins and Jaylen Null.”

That’s the core issue — Rocco Becht lost both of his NFL-caliber receivers, the only tandem in last year with over 1,000 yards each. “This is not a circumstance of losing one guy or losing two guys with decent production,” Joe added. “We’re talking about the only tandem in college football last year that had over a thousand yards a piece. A piece. Like that to me is the big circle that I’m putting on this preview of can Rocco Becht step up to the challenge of having completely new receivers and also losing a number of his offensive linemen that were there last year.” The cupboard isn’t bare, but it’s certainly rearranged.

Pass Completion percentage, as Blake stressed, might be the biggest tell of whether Rocco Becht can make that leap. In 2024, he threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns and just single-digit interceptions. Phenomenal numbers, but his 59.4% completion rate (271-of-456) was with an elite receiver room. Now, is it good or bad, we’ll let Blake be the judge. It lags behind the nation’s top passers. “I will stay with a kid and let him grow if every single year that percentage keeps climbing,” Blake said. “[But] the problem is… I don’t know if I trust him enough either. I do think he’s got the talent… I don’t know if I’ve seen Rocco Becht step up in big moments.”

Avery Johnson wasn’t far off with a 58.3% mark, but both QBs missed SI’s top 25 list. For Becht, the challenge is clear: he has the arm talent, but must translate that into sharper efficiency without his security blankets. OC Taylor Mouser believes Year 3 is when Rocco Becht can level up, but the clock is ticking. Kansas State’s mix of a solid receiving corps, dominant rushing attack, and a defensive front built to disrupt makes them legitimate Big 12 contenders — meaning Week 0 could be a proving ground, or a warning siren.

Iowa State enters the season ranked 23rd in the AP poll, down 8 places from 15th last year, yet it remains the state’s top team according to CBS Sports’ David Cobb. That badge means little if they stumble early. Pressure is a privilege, as they say, but for Becht, it’s also a test of adaptability. Everyone knows he can improve. With one area of concern off the list, could there be more? His area coach answered…

More positives and negatives about Rocco Becht as per his OC

When it comes to QB play, Taylor Mouser isn’t just talking footwork and reads — he’s talking about unlocking Rocco Becht’s best self. And that starts with not trying to be perfect every snap. “I think no differently than myself in wrestling offense, there’s consistency, things here and there that are always challenging, and there’s just a hair off here and there and, and timing-wise. And how can we put more on his plate… to take control of the offense, which he did such a good job of last year,” Mouser said.

That means dialing in the small details — the throw placement, the read, the foot angle — without overloading him. Mouser credits Coach Waters for “breaking down the inches” in technique while also noting Becht’s obsessive work habits. “He’s another guy that doesn’t leave the facility. Like he’s in there with Coach Campbell. He’s watching it, wants to know what he thinks. Comes down to our offensive staff room, wants to know, you know, what we thought or what could have been better. He does a really good job of taking accountability all the time, which is what you want from some of the best New Years Offense.”

Another challenge is letting Becht’s competitiveness shine without turning it into a quest for flawlessness. “I want to see that guy have fun and play confident and play loose… he doesn’t have to be [perfect] for us to be successful here.” When Becht stops chasing perfection and just plays ball, ISU’s offense hums.