Bring it on.

The fiercest rivalry in the state of Iowa is upon us, and this year is one of the biggest for the Cyclones to make a statement.

Are they ready?

Some argue that after squeaking by Illinois State, Iowa State doesn’t stand a chance. Others argue no coach would have the team more ready to play than Cyclone coach Dan McCarney.

I’m sure they’ll be ready to play. I’m sure they’ll play as hard as they can. They even have a chance to win the game.

I’m not ready for that. I honestly don’t know what I’d do.

With last year being my first year as a Cyclone, I have seen many successes, but I have never seen the “Big Three sports” beat Iowa. Men’s and women’s basketball, as well as the football team lost to the Hawkeyes last season.

Those losses have brought no scrutiny from me, as they have been hard-fought battles. They have, however, brought plenty of abuse from Hawkeye fans.

Anybody reading this is well aware of the hardships of being a Cyclone football fan in the state of Iowa. No matter what the team does, Iowa always seems to better us in some way. We won our bowl game, but that was completely overshadowed by one lucky pass from Drew “I can do no wrong” Tate in the Capital One Bowl.

So what happens if the lesser known school from Iowa actually turns around and defeats the big boy this year?

Well, the fans storm the field faster than the Royals fell out of the baseball season, and for one weekend, the school in the weaker Big 12 North gets a little national attention — without any scandals.

Where do we go from there? There’s still a whole lot of football to be played, but does anybody really care? What if that is our only other win of the season? Does the fact that we knocked off the No. 8 Hawkeyes trump all?

Beating Iowa is high up on many fans’ list of accomplishments for a successful season. Tell me, what can top that feeling?

I’ve experienced a bowl win. I’ve experienced defeating ranked teams in basketball.

I’ve still never beaten Iowa.

It can be done, even if the statistics are stacked against them. On any given day, anything is possible, and despite the odds, the Cyclones have the opportunity of a lifetime to make a statement.

When it’s all said and done, nothing would make me happier than to come away with a victory — even if it’s not expected.