It took two seasons, but the city of Houston finally got its wish.

After chasing the ISU football team in 2004, the Ev1.net Houston Bowl committee got its wish, selecting the Cyclones.

The game might not sparkle for Cyclone fans after Iowa State closed its season with a loss to Kansas, but ISU coach Dan McCarney and his team said they are excited for the opportunity.

“It’s a great city,” McCarney said of Houston in his weekly Big 12 coaches teleconference. “I’ve heard so much about the Houstonians and the hospitality they’ll put out for this bowl game. I’d be really, really surprised and very disappointed if we don’t take a great bunch of Cyclone fans down there.”

Although official bowl practice hasn’t started yet, McCarney said the reaction from his players has been positive.

“I thought, based on the spirit and enthusiasm of practice . I think our kids are really excited,” McCarney said. “You have a great stadium, a tremendous city, an outstanding opponent and a great reputation from the people who are involved in this bowl game.”

The game will be played at Reliant Park, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans and site of last Saturday’s Big 12 title game between Texas and Colorado.

The Cyclones play Texas Christian University, the top team in the Mountain West Conference with a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in league play.

“We know this will be tough,” McCarney said. “We’ll be a legitimate underdog in this game, but we feel that this will be a great opportunity and a great matchup.”

TCU is ranked 14th in The Associated Press poll and is carrying a nine-game winning streak into the game.

The Horned Frogs beat then-No. 5 Oklahoma in their opening game, shocking the nation with the 17-10 win.

They dropped their next contest to Southern Methodist University, but have come back strong, closing the season with nine wins in a row.

Although TCU comes in on a hot streak, the Cyclones will be trying to rid their mouths of the bad taste left by an overtime loss to Kansas in the last game of the regular season.

“Any team – Iowa State included – if you lose your last regular season game, the thing you look so forward to is trying to put your team in a position to win your bowl game,” McCarney said.

Along with the Cyclones, there are nine Big 12 teams in postseason play, led by Texas in the Rose Bowl, playing for the national championship.

“Top to bottom – with Texas clearly being the top team in the conference this year – there is more balance and more competitiveness,” McCarney said of the Big 12.

“The conference gets stronger and stronger each year we’re together.”

Last year, two Big 12 teams played in BCS games, with Oklahoma losing to Southern California in the national title game and Texas beating Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

McCarney said he doesn’t believe this is a down year for the conference.

“It’s easy to defend the Big 12,” McCarney said.

“This is a tremendous conference, week in and week out. Clearly, Texas was the dominant team this year, and once again we have a team playing for a national championship.”