By The Associated Press
     Northern Iowa (0-0) vs. Iowa State (0-0), 6 p.m., No TV
     Series Record: Iowa State leads 19-4-3.
     WHAT’S AT STAKE
     Northern Iowa is one of the few teams Iowa State is expected to
beat this season, and the Cyclones can’t afford to let this one
slip away given how tough their schedule appears to be. The
Panthers could gain some serious momentum for their FCS season and
avenge last year’s ugly 27-0 loss in Ames by beating Iowa State.
     KEY MATCHUP
     Northern Iowa QB Tirrell Rennie vs. Iowa State’s secondary.
Rennie is one of the best running quarterbacks in the FCS, but he
threw just eight TD passes and 11 interceptions in 2010. The
Cyclones will look to force the Panthers into passing situations
and hope Rennie will make mistakes like he did in tossing two picks
a year ago.
     PLAYERS TO WATCH
     Iowa State: QB Steele Jantz. It’s the first career start for
Jantz, who figures to be dangerous with his feet. If he can make
plays with his arm, too, the Cyclones could have a find on their
hands.
     Michigan State: RB/KR Carlos Anderson. He returned two kickoffs
for touchdowns in 2010 and could even things up for the Panthers on
special teams.
     FACTS & FIGURES
     When Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says the Panthers have “track
speed,” he isn’t kidding. According to Panthers spokesman Colin
McDonough, three of the four members of the school’s 400-meter
relay team will play on Saturday…The game will mark the debut of
a new $5 million scoreboard at Jack Trice Stadium, which will be
five times larger than the old one…Northern Iowa is 9-20 against
FBS opponents since 1985.