Iowa State is ready to face Houston on Saturday

Matt Campbell spoke to the media this week about playing Houston and the concerns that he has about their quarterback.

On what he seems from Houston on film

Matt: Yeah I think Houston, probably, in some ways, I know I talked about playing athleticism a week ago, you're talking about what these guys have done both at Houston and in their careers at other places, this is a dynamic football team. They've got an elite punt returner, elite kick returner, elite skill at the wide receiver position. Collectively at the receiver position. Just dynamite and guys that can really make plays with the ball in their hands. Obviously, we've played this quarterback before. Big, strong, athletic. Can make all the throws across the board.On the flip side defensively, again, the playmakers they have on that side of the ball is really impressive. The way they played at Oklahoma, the way they have played really good defensive football throughout the season, schematically and positionally really dynamic.

You see a team, we've been there, you see a team that is building. And it's like every week, I'm sure, there's been a growth process that they've seen. They have a head football coach that has turned around two incredible programs and built two incredible football programs. So, you see it's a team that has great potential. And great talent. There are times they are playing elite football. Obviously, they are just trying to find that consistency like all football teams are right now early in the season.

On the concerns Houston QB Donovan Smith creates

Matt: All of them. In terms of what an athletic, big, strong quarterback has the ability to do. I would just say his ability to make all the throws from a 6'3, strong, man, ability-wise to make all the throws vertically down the field, sideline to sideline. And then you throw in the athleticism to extend plays.

There's been a multitude of times in the first four games that he's got the ability to get out of the pocket, extend the play and then find these dynamic playmakers down the field and create big plays.

I think those are things to me that are just so impressive. I think sometimes quarterbacks are scrambling to run, I think he does a great job of keeping his eyes and his vision down the field. Man, when you can do that, and create the big plays horizontally, those are big challenges. He certainly presents that.