Let the hype begin.

Iowa State will play in the Eddie Robinson Classic against Florida State eight short weeks from now in what is being called one of the biggest games in ISU football history.

The two teams couldn’t be much more different, as last season was the first time in 14 years the Seminoles have won fewer than 10 games. Iowa State has never reached the 10-win plateau, coming the closest in 2000 when they went 9-3.

Nevertheless, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden and Iowa State head coach Dan McCarney expect a battle from each other.

Bowden, whose team has been ranked number one nationally in a preseason poll by Athlon Sports, said he normally doesn’t start thinking about football until July, but the upcoming game against the Cyclones is definitely on his mind.

“I watched them when they played their bowl game,” Bowden said. “When I scout other teams that we’re playing, there’s some that catch your eye by the way they play. That’s what they were. I was so impressed with them. You know they’re going to be good. I bet we’re going to have some fun.”

McCarney also expressed tremendous respect for the Florida State program. The Seminoles went 8-4 last season after struggling with some key injuries and trying to replace several starters that had FSU in the national title hunt just two years ago.

McCarney said he is especially impressed with their team speed, team defense, all-around effort and, of course, their leader.

“He’s a guy that anyone in the coaching profession should try to emulate and follow,” McCarney said of Bowden. “I’ve been a college football fan since I was four or five years old and I’ve been watching Florida State forever. How could you not admire the job he’s done? His energy and enthusiasm seems to be of someone who’s 30 years old.”

“They’re just a typical Bobby Bowden football team,” McCarney said. “They’re relentless from an effort standpoint. The speed you see on team defense is about as good as you’ll see year in and year out.”

The quarterback matchup is one of the most intriguing aspects of the game. Iowa State senior Seneca Wallace is back and is among the names mentioned as an early Heisman Trophy candidate.

Wallace was a 62 percent passer last season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 475 yards and seven TDs, proving that when it comes down to it, he can take the ball himself.

Florida State has a gunslinger on their sideline by the name of Chris Rix. He replaced three-year starter Chris Weinke at quarterback as a redshirt freshman last season, leading the Seminoles to a victory over Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl. As primarily a drop-back passer during his freshman campaign, he threw for over 2700 yards and 24 touchdowns.

In Wallace you have a versatile quarterback who can run and throw very effectively – the type of player that can control the game by himself. That kind of player brings back memories to Bowden.

“I’ve never had a one-man show against our football team except the way Vick did in the Sugar Bowl,” said Bowden, referring to current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. “[Wallace] is as quick as a cat and it doesn’t disturb his throwing. He can sure put the ball on the button. The dadgum guy can run the ball and you can’t touch him.”

McCarney said he expects the quarterback matchup to be one of the highlights as well. He had equally high praise for Rix and the experience he’s gained in just one season under Bowden.

“He’s an outstanding athlete,” McCarney said. “You can just see him get better and better as the season goes on. In the bowl game, he was extremely impressive. I think you’re going to see two of the best quarterbacks matched up in college football.”

Overall, McCarney said this game is just part of the process to get Iowa State’s football program where it needs to be. He said his players are getting prepared to do just that.

“It means an awful lot to all of us,” McCarney said. “[The players] know we’re not getting ready for UNI or Ohio as it has been in the past years.

“This is new ground for Iowa State. Everybody in the country knows that Florida State is synonymous with great winning. We don’t worry about the past, we just worry about the future, and our kids are extremely excited.”

Iowa State has sold roughly 23,000 tickets out of the athletic department’s ticket office and McCarney said he expects that number to rise even higher. Two weeks ago, Florida State had only sold between 3,000 and 4,000 tickets to the game through their ticket office.

Bowden said that’s a concern.

“I have thought about that,” Bowden said. “[McCarney] talking about 20,000 people from there. I began to realize “uh oh” . this is a home game for Iowa State. I don’t think we can bring that many up here. I do get the picture that it’s mighty close to Iowa State.”

There is some history between these two coaches, but not much.

McCarney said he and Bowden have coached against each other before when McCarney was the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin. The two met personally about two months ago when Bowden spoke at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet in Kansas City.

Bowden said he first noticed Iowa State when McCarney took over the program and the Cyclones started to beat intrastate rival Iowa. The Cyclones have won the last four meetings after 15-consecutive losses to Iowa.

“You know, I thought Iowa was supposed to win that one,” Bowden said.

Coaching legend Eddie Robinson said he is delighted to see Iowa State and Florida State participate in this game.

“Our goal has been to showcase some of the best football our nation has to offer,” Robinson said. “This year will be no different. We expect a tremendous game and an exciting event for the fans of college football.”

This will be the first time either team has played in the Eddie Robinson Classic. It will also be the first “pre-season” game Iowa State has played.

“They play in a great conference and they hold their own up there,” Bowden said of Iowa State. “They’ve got their quarterback, we’ve got our quarterback back. I imagine we’re pretty close experience-wise.

“It looks like a real good football matchup. This is a team that can beat Florida State and unless Florida State plays it’s best, we will get beat. If we have an advantage, I don’t know what it is.”