Ames, Iowa ? With its rich tradition, speedy players and coach Bobby Bowden’s 323 victories, No. 3 Florida State was a logical choice for the Eddie Robinson Classic.

But Iowa State? What are the Cyclones doing in Saturday night’s game at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium?

In the last 12 years, Iowa State has had only two winning seasons. Florida State has won two national championships in that span. Florida State has gone to a bowl game for 20 straight years. Iowa State has gone to six in its entire history.

Florida State went 8-4 last season and considered it a lousy year. An 8-4 season at Iowa State would bring the coach a raise and contract extension.

Yes, the contrast between the two programs is stark indeed, but what a deal for Iowa State national television (Fox Sports Net), a $1 million payday and one of the nation’s premier teams as the opponent.

“This a tremendous opportunity,” Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said. “I just hope everybody in my football family understands it. They’ve heard it enough from me.”

Iowa State made itself attractive to the game’s organizers because of the impressive turnaround McCarney has accomplished. The administration stuck with McCarney through some lean years he was 13-42 his first five seasons but that patience has been rewarded.

The Cyclones have gone 16-8 the past two years, became competitive in the Big 12 and made two bowl appearances. Only three Big 12 teams have better records in that stretch: Oklahoma (24-2), Nebraska (21-4) and Texas (20-5).

“I think they see a program that’s on the rise and hopefully a program that people are starting to respect,” McCarney said. “I don’t care whether you’re an Iowa State fan or not, when somebody’s been down for this long in football and they start rising up, it’s hard not to cheer for us.”

Iowa State will hear plenty of cheering Saturday night. Kansas City is an easy 3-hour jaunt down Interstate 35 from central Iowa and at least 30,000 Iowa State fans, most of them wearing red, are expected for the game.

“I’m really excited about playing in what’s basically a home game,” center Zach Butler said. “Anytime you walk out and see the cardinal and gold and see everybody cheering for you, you’re going to get excited.”

Iowa State will need the help. Florida State will bring 17 returning starters and a determination to atone for last season, when the Seminoles failed to win the ACC title for the first time in 10 years.

The offensive and defensive lines return intact, and quarterback Chris Rix is wiser and more confident after earning ACC freshman of the year honors last season.

“You’ve got to pay the price to be good and I’m thinking we paid the price last year,” Florida State defensive end Alonzo Jackson said. “I’m think we’re going to reap the benefits right now.”

Just what Iowa State needs, a Florida State team that’s not only talented but hungry. That could be scary.

“A scary game?” ISU quarterback Seneca Wallace said. “I don’t know why you would call it a scary game. Nobody on this team is scared about it.”

Wallace is Iowa State’s star, an elusive, strong-armed passer who finished second in the Big 12 in total offense last season and was the league’s offensive newcomer of the year.

Bowden likens Wallace to Michael Vick because of his ability to make plays and Iowa State has mounted a modest campaign pushing him for the Heisman Trophy.

“He makes things happen,” FSU linebacker Jerel Hudson said. “He drops back and if he doesn’t find anything, he’ll take off and leave you looking stupid.”

Iowa State will need Wallace to do that often in this one.