With the annual Iowa State-Iowa rivalry game set to play Saturday, many are looking past their schoolwork to prepare for the big weekend.

Although many people tried to coerce me into taking easy shots at the University of Iowa, I will refrain from it.

Yes, it could be easy to make fun of the absurd “Herky the Hawkeye” statues that have been constructed all around Iowa City.

Sure, one could say the word “asses” could have multiple meanings when talking about the so-called sacred donkey corpses buried at Kinnick Stadium that were vowed to remain untouched.

No, I refuse to give Iowa what we in the business call “locker room material” and will step back from my position as a Cyclone and look at the game in a logical position-by-position matchup.

Quarterback: Iowa State will be starting Bret Meyer, a freshman with much potential and a lot to prove with equally talented sophomore Austin Flynn lurking not far behind. Iowa has Drew Tate at the helm, a sophomore who may not have shown everything he’s got last week after leaving the game early with dehydration and cramps. Advantage: Iowa State.

Running Backs: Iowa State will start sophomore tailback Stevie Hicks, who has had two consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

Senior Jermelle Lewis gets the nod for Iowa. Lewis, despite missing most of last season with injuries and sitting out the first game of this year with a suspension, is expected to easily step into former tailback Fred Russell’s shoes. Advantage: Push.

Receivers: Iowa State is trying to create a mixture of both young and experienced while Iowa has junior Ed Hinkel as the set No. 1 guy. Advantage: Iowa.

Offensive Line: Iowa State is returning most of its starters on the line, giving it the edge in experience.

What Iowa lacks in experience, it more than makes up for in prestige, known as one of the best programs for offensive linemen. Advantage: Iowa.

Offense: Although on paper Iowa looks like it has the advantage, the fact that it is only returning three offensive starters from last year says the advantage goes to Iowa State.

Defensive Line: Iowa State has a good defensive line this year, with junior Nick Leaders at tackle and senior Tyson Smith returning to the end position, but the loss of sophomore Jason Berryman is a big piece missing. Iowa also has its own one-two punch, with seniors Matt Roth (first-team All-Big 10) and Jonathan Babineaux combining for a career 29 sacks. Advantage: Iowa.

Linebackers: Iowa State’s leading linebacker, senior Brandon Brown, ended last season with a career total of 246 tackles after collecting 96 last year. Iowa has arguably one of the most effective linebacker tandems in the nation with juniors Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway, combining for 326 career tackles with 273 of them coming last season. Advantage: Iowa.

Secondary: Iowa State has senior Ellis Hobbs, who was the Cyclones’ defensive MVP against Iowa last year, and junior Nik Moser, who moved to the safety spot this year after playing linebacker last season. The secondary appears to be Iowa’s biggest weakness in the defense, after safety Bob Sanders joined the Indianapolis Colts this year. Even with the loss, the secondary gets the advantage as one of the nation’s best. Advantage: Iowa.

Defense: Although Iowa State had its best defensive performance in over 20 years against Northern Iowa last week, allowing 99 total yards, it’s hard to pick against a top-ranked Iowa defense that played just as well against Kent State. Advantage: Iowa.

Special Teams: Neither team has a spectacular return game, so the advantage all lies on one player — ISU senior kicker Tony Yelk. If he plays, the advantage goes to Iowa State. If he doesn’t play, it goes to Iowa’s sophomore kicker, Kyle Schlicher.

Intangibles: The game will be played in the stadium I so lovingly call “The House That Seneca Built,” Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Although Iowa is practically impossible to beat at home, great play by Iowa State compared with a few mistakes by an inexperienced Iowa quarterback (sound familiar?) could lead to a great ISU upset. Because the game will be in Iowa City and Iowa has rabid fans, the advantage goes to Iowa.

Final Score: Although my heart wants to say Iowa State will win 24-21, my head has to say Iowa will win 40-21. Here’s hoping the Cyclones prove me wrong.