It used to be Iowa State’s Super Bowl.

When Dan McCarney arrived in Ames 12 years ago, the only thing that mattered to most Cyclone fans was a win over their hated rival from the eastern part of the state.

Beat Iowa, and it was a successful season.

That’s changed.

“It is an exciting week for all of us,” McCarney said. “We look forward to it. It isn’t the end of the world if Iowa State can’t win this week, but we’re sure going to try. This is the first of six nationally ranked teams we’re going to play in the next six weeks – name me another team in the country that has to do that.”

Iowa is the nation’s No. 16 team while Texas – Iowa State’s opponent the following week – holds down the No. 8 spot in the polls.

With so much football still to be played and the meat of their schedule just around the corner, this game takes a different type of importance for McCarney.

“I can’t lose my team,” McCarney said. “If we are good enough to win, then fabulous, we have to move on and get ready for a nationally ranked team the next week and the next week and the next week and the next week. This is one of many challenges we have in the weeks ahead.”

Iowa State has won six of its last eight games against Iowa, including a dominating 23-3 win in Ames last season. The Cyclones won five years in a row, claiming victory from 1998 to 2002.

“It’s a great series, a great rivalry and that’s why we’re on national television again this year,” McCarney said. “Both teams are having real success and both teams are challenging for postseason play each year. People around the country are starting to realize that, and they want to see good matchups.”

Both teams are 2-0, and both have had their difficulties.

Iowa easily handled Montana in its opening game but struggled last weekend against a Syracuse team that won just one game in 2005, going to double overtime before beating the Orangemen, 20-13.

The Hawkeyes were without starting quarterback Drew Tate against Syracuse, giving senior Jason Manson the start. Both players are listed atop the Iowa depth chart released Monday, with Tate recovering from an abdominal strain suffered in the preseason.

Although Tate is nursing an injury, McCarney thinks the Hawkeye star will be on the field when the two teams meet.

“We fully anticipate Drew Tate playing,” McCarney said.

“Knowing him and knowing how tough he is mentally and physically, one of the great competitors in college football, he’ll be in the lineup. There’s no doubt about it in my mind.”

Not only is this game important for fans, ISU players said they ratchet up their play this week.

“This is the game everyone waits for all year,” said Indianola native Todd Blythe. “For me, this week’s game is the biggest week of the season. We put a lot of emphasis on this game just like we do every week, but still, this is Iowa State-Iowa. Even if you don’t want to admit it, you’re going to put more emphasis on this game.”

If anyone knows the significance of the ISU-Iowa game, it’s McCarney.

The Cyclone coach played his college football at Iowa and then was an assistant coach in Iowa City for 13 years. After a five-season stint as an assistant at Wisconsin, McCarney returned to the rivalry, this time on the other sideline as Iowa State’s leader.

“It’s an exciting game, and I’m thrilled to have a chance to coach in it, but to say it’s just another game, somebody’s crazy,” McCarney said.

“It’s not just another game. I’ve felt the sting of defeat and felt the thrills of victory many times so I know what [this game] means.”

A win over Iowa would also be a springboard, as No. 8 Texas, Northern Iowa, No. 19 Nebraska, No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 24 Texas Tech lie in wait for the Cyclones.

“When you sit there and look down the road, week after week of really good teams and nationally ranked teams, if we come up short [against Iowa] we’re going to be in for a long drive,” McCarney said. “I can’t let that happen.”