Iowa State will play the University of Alabama in the Mainstay Independence Bowl on Dec. 27, said Lindy Broderick, the bowl’s chairman.

“It’s a great matchup. I’m thrilled about it,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said.

Alabama’s record is 6-5 this year, including a 35-24 loss to Tennessee on Oct. 20 and a 35-21 loss to Louisiana State University on Nov. 3.

LSU beat Tennessee in this weekend’s South Eastern Conference Championship game – the game that ultimately led to the Mainstay Independence Bowl selecting Alabama.

Had Tennessee won, the Cyclones would have faced Arkansas in Shreveport, Tom Kroeschell, communication manager for the Athletic Department, said last week.

Alabama won its last three games to become bowl eligible.

“Real, real good 6-5 team,” McCarney said. “They’re fast, powerful, physical. Dennis [Franchione, Alabama’s head coach] is doing the same things he did at TCU.”

Franchione led Texas Christian to back-to-back WAC titles in 1999 and 2000 and a 25-10 overall record in three years before heading to Alabama this year.

“Alabama’s a great team,” defensive end Kevin DeRonde said. “It has the history of a winning program.”

Alabama has won 10 national championships, the first in 1925, the last in 1992.

“They’re good competition,” running back Ennis Haywood said. “We get to take our show on the road a little bit.”

McCarney said he has received three game tapes from Alabama. Speaking with reporters last night, he had yet to pore over them.

But he has 17 days before the teams square off.

“[The preparation time] is definitely a lot more than we have in season,” McCarney said.

The Mainstay Independence Bowl will be Alabama’s 51st bowl appearance.

The Crimson Tide has participated in more bowl games than any other team in college football history.

This is Iowa State’s sixth appearance in postseason play.

The teams will face each other for the first time.