One of the most intriguing matchups in this weekend’s Iowa State-Kansas State game is the quarterback position.

Both ISU and Kansas State feature new starters from a year ago, each of whom has little experience on the field.

Kansas State’s Jonathan Beasley replaced former star QB Michael Bishop this season and has led the Wildcats to a 2-0 start.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound Beasley came to K-State as a highly regarded recruit in 1996, rated the sixth best quarterback in the Western Region by Blue Chip Illustrated.

He was also an all-American pick by the National Recruiting Advisor in the same year.

In his freshman and sophomore seasons, Beasley played in a total of 13 games, completing 13 of 28 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Beasley also rushed 13 times for 45 yards and a touchdown in 1996 and 1997.

Last season, Beasley redshirted as Bishop put up huge numbers for an explosive K-State offense.

Beasley entered the season battling with Adam Helm for the starting spot before winning the job in the spring.

Thus far in 1999, Beasley has completed 20 of 43 passes for 378 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

K-State has defeated Temple and UTEP in its first two games by the combined score of 80-7, so Beasley has shown he can lead the Wildcats’ offensive attack.

But he’s never started a Big 12 game, just like ISU’s Sage Rosenfels.

Taking over for record-setting Todd Bandhauer, Rosenfels entered the season with 22 games of action, albeit in a limited capacity.

After redshirting in 1996, he completed seven of 19 passes for 85 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in 1997 and 1998 combined.

Like Beasley, Rosenfels entered the season battling for the starting spot with junior college transfer Derrick Walker.

After splitting time with Walker in the Cyclones’ opening game victory over Indiana State, Rosenfels has entrenched himself as the starter.

Thus far, Rosenfels has completed 19 of 32 passes for 238 yards, with three TDs and three picks.

He has also rushed 19 times for 143 yards and a touchdown in the first three games, hinting at the athleticism in his 6-foot-4-inch, 218-pound frame. That athleticism helped make him one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, according to Street and Smith’s Magazine.

ISU’s first-ranked rushing attack, at 354.3 yards a game, led by Darren Davis’ 185 yards per game, has helped Rosenfels become comfortable in the huddle in his role as a starter.

Beasley has been helped by senior running back Frank Murphy, who ranks seventh in the nation in rushing at 152.5 yards a game and receivers Quincy Morgan, who has caught three touchdowns by himself, and Aaron Lockett

The similarities between Rosenfels and Beasley are striking. Both were highly recruited quarterbacks coming out of college. Both have had one redshirt season behind them. Both had limited experience in two previous seasons.

The pressure is on for both quarterbacks, each of whom has been effective in leading his squad to an undefeated record thus far in the season.

After Saturday, that will all change.