Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell says an early start to the season provides an opportunity for his program but it also offers some unique challenges. The Cyclones will play Kansas State on August 23rd in Dublin, Ireland, to kick off the college football season. Campbell was at the podium today at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas.

Campbell believes a key to the season will be how the Cyclones handle that game, win or lose.

Campbell says the entire off season was designed to fit the early start.

The Cyclones must replace several key players from last year’s team that recorded a school record 11 wins. Quarterback Rocco Becht returns for his third year as a starter. Becht passed for more than 35 hundred yards and 25 touchdowns last season and has started the last 27 games under center.

Campbell says Becht was at his best with the game on the line.