Iowa State will finally play host to a team that is not in the Top 25, nor in the upper bracket of the Big Eight.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys come to town to take on the Cyclones in a game that will favor the boys in cardinal and gold. Here’s how they match up.

Todd Bandhauer showed promise last week, but the youth and inexperience will show. The quarterback edge goes to OSU junior quarterback Tone Jones, who threw for 1,468 yards last season, including eight touchdowns.

Troy Davis once again has the edge on OSU’s tailbacks. Davis, still the nation’s leading rusher with 1324 yards, has been knocking on the door for a Heisman bid. Cowboy tailback David Thompson, who rushed for 819 yards last season, will lead the Oklahoma State rushing attack. The Cowboys also showcase last year’s Big Eight Freshman and Newcomer of the Year Andre Richardson. Richardson came 30 yards shy of breaking OSU’s all-time freshman rushing mark with his 774 yards last season.

The wide receiving core of the Cyclones gets the mark over OSU’s receivers. The size, speed, hands and experience of Mike Horacek and Ed Williams have been shown week after week. The Cowboys are relying greatly on tailback Thompson and freshman wideout Cameron White, who to this point have not proved to be a potent duo.

ISU’s offensive line matches up well with the Cowboy’s offensive front. The Cyclones will showcase speed and execution, while OSU relies on brute strength. Tim Kohn and Patrick Augafa have anchored the Davis push all season and will continue to do so against OSU. The Cowboys offensive line showcases Derek Leinen, Scott Waterbury and Calvin Menephee. Leinen and Waterbury are just under 300 lbs., while Menephee weighs in at 320 lbs.

The defensive line of Oklahoma State gets the edge over ISU. The Cyclones’ lack of depth has a lot to do with the big rushing numbers that have been hung by opponents. At the same time, OSU has yet to hold any big name rusher to a moderate game. But OSU does have Jevon Langford and Norman Williams, who racked up 115 tackles together last season.

The linebackers of ISU have more experience than that of OSU. The Cowboys’ only returning linebacker, Alamu Baily, who stands 6′ 2″, 255 lbs., is solid but has little support.

The secondary of ISU looked decent against Colorado and Iowa, and was at times very reliable, but besides Matt Straight, the Cyclones’ youth has showed. OSU’s defensive backs have the experience that gives them the edge over ISU. Senior strong safety Trent Fisher, senior right cornerback Jerod Johnson and junior free safety Louis Adams lead the secondary.

ISU’s specialty teams have the edge over the Cowboys. Consistent pressure on the opposing punter and a solid punting game has been a strong point for the Cyclones this season. OSU’s main weapon will be in their kickoff returns. Cowboy freshman Tank Coleman, who stands at 5’9″ and weighs in at 160 lbs., is as shifty as they come and could cause problems for Cyclones.

Iowa State once again receives the homefield advantage, which will be necessary for a victory.