In keeping with the Election Day theme, I would like to pose yet another question to the ISU student body. This question does not concern Al Gore, George Bush or even Ralph Nader; it deals solely with the ISU football team and whether or not they are worthy of the school’s first bowl bid in 22 years.

I prefer to call this Cyclone Decision 2000. Here’s the criteria:

1.) Wins — the Cyclones have six, an incredible feat in its own for Iowa State, but six wins is the minimum needed for even the sorriest of bowl bids. Iowa State’s wins include Ohio, UNLV and Missouri at home, and road wins at Iowa, Baylor and Oklahoma State.

2.) Losses — the Cyclones have three (including two embarrassments). Not bad for a team that was picked to finish with a 3-8 record by almost every preseason publication.

The Cyclones’ two home losses came at the hands of then top-ranked Nebraska, and now No. 23 Texas A&M. Nineteenth-ranked Kansas State handed it to Iowa State Saturday, but their No. 19 ranking is deceiving; they are still a contender for the Big 12 title.

3.) Schedule — according to McCarney and the ISU Athletics Department, the team’s schedule ranks in the top 40 in the nation in strength of schedule.

4.) Intangibles — this ISU team is exciting, win or lose! Ennis Haywood is not only the best back in the Big 12, but considered amongst the nation’s elite by many experts and publications.

J.J. Moses is the most exciting player, pound-for-pound, in the country, and is probably the only player standing at 5′ 6″ that commands as much respect on the field as he does.

Chris Anthony is one of the best receivers to ever pass through Ames, and he is steadily approaching a spot in the ISU record books that will solidify him as such.

Sage Rosenfels has proven to be inconsistent at times, but nonetheless has gotten the job done, and is quietly putting together one of the best seasons ever by a Cyclone quarterback.

5.) The deciding factor — YOU! The support that Iowa State receives in its last two games will be a sign of whether or not we will be staying at home or taking a trip somewhere a little warmer than Ames come late December, or early January.

If you, the fans, believe Iowa State is worthy of a bowl bid, then now is the time to get excited and rally behind your team. Now is the time to be proactive and get out there and support Iowa State; follow them to Boulder this weekend, fill Jack Trice Stadium for the game against Kansas, and maybe even do what Democrats and Republicans do — lobby for your team.

Of course, if you are not a believer, then do what ISU football fans are notorious for — nothing. Boycott the games, stay at home and bad mouth the team.

Whatever your beliefs are about this team, let them be known. November is a month for being political, and the fate of this team, in the eyes of the bowl scouts, is weighed heavily by the support, or lack thereof, that it receives.

The choice is yours Cyclone fans, and don’t forget to vote today.