Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2020 37 Playoff, but instead was relegated to play a 9-4 Texas team, which ap- peared — at least on the outside — to be beneath them. Sure enough, the Longhorns took a 10-0 lead after their first two series, ex- tended the margin to 28-7 in the fourth quarter, and a Georgia touchdown with 14 seconds left made the 28-21 Texas win seem closer than it was. Alabama had such situations when it barely missed playing for the na- tional title. In the 2009 Sugar Bowl it fell behind 21-0 to Utah in the first quarter before losing, and a similar setback occurred with a 45-31 defeat to Oklahoma in the 2013 season. Certainly with a 10-2 record Notre Dame had to be anticipating a more prominent bowl setting than to play unranked and 7-5 Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl, no disrespect intended. Meanwhile, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell repeatedly described how he and the Cyclones were hum- bled by the opportunity. "To be able to finish the season with one of the best programs in col- lege football, that's a great honor," he summarized. For Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, the theme never changes. His troops responded well following the 45-14 debacle at Michigan Oct. 26 that eliminated them from CFP con- tention, and they answered with a 5-0 November, highlighted by win- ning each of the last four games by at least 21 points. "It's just like the last five games we've played — it's about a standard of play, it's about an opportunity where a lot of these guys will be play- ing for their last game with this team," Kelly said. "They want to play well. They want to play for each other. They want to continue to play at a high level. "It's really not about a lot of those different narratives other than these are 18- to 21-year-olds that are really focused on preparing and wanting to play well, enjoying being with their teammates for the last time this year, and not to make it much more com- plicated than that. "They've done a really good job of avoiding a lot of the different sce- narios that are set up about how they should think." Among the accomplishments pos- sible are a first-ever 11-2 finish and possibly finishing in the Associated Press top 10 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1992-93. "We won't be defined by any one game in particular," Kelly said. "We know what we're getting: explosive offenses in the Big 12, really solid defensively, physical football team, well-coached. Matt Campbell is an outstanding football coach. "It's going to be a good football team we're playing." AUDITION TIME With Chip Long ousted as offen- sive coordinator after a successful three-year tenure at Notre Dame, it could result in the promotion of some staff members to that role. The Iowa State game provides such an opportunity. On the other sideline, Matt Camp- bell, who turned 40 in November, has been establishing himself, along with Baylor's Matt Rhule and Minne- sota's P.J. Fleck, among the top rising young head coaches in the collegiate ranks. Florida State and Arkansas were among the schools interested in Camp- bell to take over, but this month he signed an extension that carries him through the 2025 season at Iowa State. While it is anticipated that Brian Kelly will soon sign an extension to his current contract that runs through the 2021 season, Campbell could be the type of figure down the road Notre Dame could be interested in … unless someone else grabs him first, or if the infrastructure continues to blossom and the Irish promote from within. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: IOWA STATE Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell led the Cyclones to a 7-5 record and a tie for third place in the Big 12 this year, leading to a contract extension through 2025. PHOTO COURTESY IOWA STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS Predictions Todd Burlage: Iowa State 30, Notre Dame 28 Under fourth-year head coach Matt Campbell, Iowa State has won at least seven games three straight seasons for the first time in 40 years, making this an all-in validation game for his program. Meanwhile, a 10-win Notre Dame team has to feel jilted, and perhaps unmotivated, playing in a low-tier bowl against a relatively unheralded opponent. Vince DeDario: Notre Dame 31, Iowa State 21 Position by position Notre Dame is probably two touchdowns better than ISU, but then again so is Oklahoma and probably Texas — and those games were decided by one and two points, respectively. I have a lot of respect for Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea, and with the extended time to prepare I think he holds the Cyclones' offense in check. With offensive coordinator Chip Long now deposed, that side of the ball is a question mark, but the athletes prevail. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 30, Iowa State 27 The Cyclones played their three toughest opponents of the season close, and I expect the same against Notre Dame. The strong Fighting Irish pass defense should do well to slow down the prolific Cyclones offense just enough to hold them below 30 points. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Ian Book continues to plays well and has at least three touchdown passes. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 28, Iowa State 24 Iowa State should not be taken lightly, despite finishing 7-5 and unranked. Four of its five losses came by a touchdown or less, and playing Notre Dame in Florida is basically the Cyclones' Super Bowl. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 34, Iowa State 24 An upset special pick here would be understandable, but the more I hear people saying "Notre Dame probably is not excited about this game," the more I think that will grab the attention of the players and coaches the right way.