While the game means so much to many of the state’s nearly three million people, Iowa State is looking at this weekend’s ISU/Iowa match-up as one just to get back on track.

ISU faces a difficult task Saturday afternoon as they try to avoid a intrastate sweep when the Hawkeyes, currently rated 10th in the nation, invade Hilton Coliseum at 4 p.m.

Both teams come into the game after huge upset losses. The Hawkeyes lost their first contest of the season at Northern Iowa on Tuesday, while the Cyclones were beaten by the Drake Bulldogs on Wednesday night.

Coach Tim Floyd doesn’t think that the losses to the lesser-known Iowa schools will diminish the importance of and attention given to the annual battle.

“It’s still a game that’s very special to a lot of people,” he said.

It’s hard not to place extra emphasis on this game, but Floyd said the game will not make or break the losing team’s season, citing success from both teams in the past few years.

He said productive programs can develop despite losses. “I think you can get too preoccupied with one game.”

Floyd said the added media frenzy doesn’t affect him in the rivalry. “I think I probably live in hype from November to March, so there’s no way to take it to another level,” he said.

This year the contest should be an interesting one, with Iowa trying to exact revenge for a home loss last season.

“They have a lot of guys who were on the floor a year ago who have memories, and they’re going to come over here prepared and ready to play,” he said.

Interestingly, the road team has won the last three seasons, including ISU’s 81-74 win in Carver-Hawkeye Arena last year. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones 56-50 in their last trip to Ames.

Another important aspect of the game will be the number of Iowa natives who will be showcased in the battle.

ISU will start two Iowa natives, Klay Edwards and Matt Knoll. ISU’s other expected starters are Delvin Washington, Marcus Fizer and Stevie Johnson.

Iowa will open with four Iowa players in Ricky Davis, Dean Oliver, Kent McCausland and Ryan Bowen. The other Hawkeye starter is center Guy Rucker.

So far, Floyd is impressed with the Hawkeyes’ talent. He has been especially impressed with the progress of Bowen, who in his first season wasn’t even guarded by the Cyclones. Now, ISU’s coach calls him the “fiercest competitor” that he’s seen in college basketball this season.

Floyd said he could have used more time to prepare for Tom Davis’ squad in order to work on ISU’s weaknesses which were exposed by the Bulldogs.

Iowa will look to pressure the Cyclones, who average 21 turnovers per game, which has Floyd worried. He is also concerned about solidifying his interior defense, which was beaten frequently by Drake.

“They’re probably licking their chops as we speak right now,” Floyd said.

He expects the Hawks to rely on their strong points (the press, free throws and offensive rebounding) to win the game.

The big game will also feature some of the nation’s best freshmen, as ISU’s Fizer goes against Iowa rookie starters Davis and Oliver.

Floyd said his team has a lot of work to do before Saturday’s tip-off. “We have to spend a lot of time [practicing]. They force you to do it,” he said.

He said he doesn’t know what a victory would do for the team’s power rating and he said he has no idea where his team sits presently.

“It’s not something that’s important to me at this stage of the season,” he said. “The only thing I’m looking at day-in and day-out is improvement. We’ve seen it at times.”