Here's what Matt Campbell said ahead of Iowa State football's matchup with BYU

AMES — Iowa State football plays a bit of an unfamiliar opponent this week when the Cyclones travel to Utah to take on BYU.

These two programs have met four times before — the last time being nearly 50 years ago in 1974 — and ISU won all four matchups.

But Saturday’s game marks the first time Iowa State (5-4, 4-2 Big 12) and BYU (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) will face off for the first time since the Cougars joined the Big 12 Conference. Kickoff is slated for 9:15 p.m. CT. If the Cyclones win, Iowa State will become bowl-eligible for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

“There’s so much history and prestige at BYU, and we’re honored and excited to be able to go play in this venue,” said Iowa State coach Matt Campbell. “Just really excited for our first time out there, and to be at night, I know it’s gonna be a great environment.”

Here are the highlights of what Campbell said Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s game against BYU.

Iowa State has a strong chance to bounce back from Kansas loss

BYU sits in the bottom half of the Big 12 in both team offense and defense. The Cougars’ 22.9 points per game average is second-last in the league, and the defense allows 26.9 points per game, which ranks ninth in the Big 12.

Statistics aside, the Cougars are undefeated at home this season. Some of Iowa State's position coaches talked to their groups about that statistic, but Campbell said that the team isn’t using that as extra motivation.

“This team’s undefeated at home this year,” Campbell said. “A lot of respect for what this program’s about. We know we’ll get their best shot…it’s gonna be a great opportunity but a great challenge for this team.”

Injury update on Jeremiah Cooper

Iowa State was without one of its top defensive backs against Kansas. Cooper — who was out with a lower-leg injury — is second nationally with five interceptions, which is just under half of the Cyclones’ total of 13 picks.

Campbell did not confirm whether Cooper would play against BYU.

“Coop’s got the ability to play in this game,” Campbell said. “He was able to be on the field today; certainly looks a lot better today than he did last week. …We’re going to make sure he’s 100% healthy before we bring him back on the field.”

Cyclones could face a two-headed monster at quarterback

Kedon Slovis held the starting job at BYU before getting injured. Jake Retzlaff took over for the Cougars' Week 10 loss to West Virginia but, even if Slovis is back to full strength, health might not be the only determining factor for who gets the start against Iowa State.

Slovis has a 57.5% completion rate for 1,716 yards and 12 touchdowns, in addition to six interceptions. Retzlaff didn’t throw any touchdowns in the game against West Virginia, but he did complete 24 passes (57.1%) for 210 yards.

Iowa State will need to prepare for both.

“The one thing that both of them have the ability to do, they’ve got the ability to get the ball to their elite skill playmakers,” Campbell said. “Both of these quarterbacks have the ability to get the ball in space to these (skill players). Slovis really was doing some great things before he got injured.

“Last week, young quarterback, first time really in this system getting to play, and you could see as the game went on, his confidence continued to grow.”

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Matt Campbell previews Iowa State football's first trip to BYU since 1973