Cyclone fans may need to begin using the words “elite” and “Iowa State” more often in their daily lexicon.

Iowa State will be visited by bowl game scouts in this weekend’s Homecoming game against Texas A & M. Chief among these scouts are the Holiday Bowl representatives.

The Holiday Bowl will pit the third pick in the Big 12 against the second-best team from the Pac-10.

With Oklahoma and Nebraska vying for the premiere Bowl Championship Series (BCS), Iowa State is now in consideration for the Holiday Bowl alongside, Texas and Kansas State.

What the Cyclones need to stand out from the rest, according to John Reece, executive director of the Holiday Bowl, is the “marketability of the team” and how big of a “fan base” the team carries.

Reece also tries to “sell ourselves to your [Iowa State] market.”

Iowa State has not visited the post-season since 1978, but John Reece, believes the Cyclones would be a good selection.

Iowa State’s most marketable aspect is their “Cinderella factor,” according to Reece. He thinks the fans in Cyclone country are “bowl-starved” and “the support would be terrific if Iowa State went.”

The Holiday Bowl is not the only opportunity for the Cyclones. The Holiday Bowl scouts are also a far cry from the only ones who will make the trek to Ames this weekend.

According to the Des Moines Register, a representative from the Alamo Bowl will be seated among the cardinal and gold this weekend. The Insight.com Bowl will be at the Missouri game next weekend.

The Independence Bowl and galleryfurniture.com Bowl will be in attendance either this weekend or next.

The Pac-10, according to Reece, also has many teams battling for their Holiday Bowl berth. Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Oregon State are currently competing to be the selection from the Pac-10 and play in the game on Dec. 29 in San Diego.

Reece believes that Oregon State rides along the same line as Iowa State, claiming the Beavers to be the Pac-10’s “Cinderella factor.”

Oregon State is a team that has also been deprived of post-season play for a long time until last season.

If the Cyclones and Beavers would face off in San Diego, one might want to get use to hearing “Cinderella versus Cinderella,” according to Reece.

If the Holiday Bowl does come calling, expect a “media blitz,” Reece said.

“We are trying to sell San Diego,” Reece said, “not just as a bowl destination, but as a vacation spot as well.”