As my ex-wife used to say, hindsight is 50/50.
I was happy with the decision to kick (until they did). I admit I havent followed ISU football. The announcers said "Given the issues with their kicking game...." . Have they had a lot of issues with FGs? I guess that would influence my opinion.
I have one observation for your observations. Pizza jokes are timeless, and you are an awful person for being anti-pizza jokes. but in all seriousness about pizza jokes, what is your objection? It is clean and silly. Not an assault on a player or coach.