ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

To say that Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud has been raised on the importance of the Cyclones' rivalry with Iowa would be an understatement.

Arnaud's father, John, was a three-year starter for the Cyclones from 1978-81, earning the nickname of "Landshark" because of his ferocious hitting in the secondary. And he infused his son with the same kind of fierce determination for beating ISU's cross-state rivals from an early age.

"There were always Iowa fans around when I was a kid," Arnaud said. "But I was the one to talk up the Cyclones. I used to have my gear on everything from head to toe when I was a little kid."

The rivalry is just as important after Arnaud chose to follow in the footsteps of his father as a Cyclone player. He's sharing snaps with Phillip Bates as the Cyclones prepare for their game against the Hawkeyes in Iowa City on Saturday.

Despite starting both games, Arnaud has been kept on a tight leash by ISU coach Gene Chizik. The rotation has helped the Cyclones jump to a 2-0 record, scoring at least 40 points in each of their first two games for the first time since 1976.

"He's been a little up and down as we thought he would be," Chizik said. "But he's done some nice things. And there have been some things that he and we wish he could take back. But those are growing plains we're prepared to deal with."

Arnaud's statistics have been impressive, completing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two TD passes as he ranks third in the Big 12 in passing efficiency. Arnaud also has added two rushing touchdowns.

But Bates, who is considered the more elusive runner, has had his moments as well, rushing for a team-leading 138 yards and passing for 109 more.

"Austen hasn't thrown the interceptions he threw last year and he's controlled and managed the offense well," Chizik said. "He's done a nice job and to this point we're proud of him and Phillip. But we've got to continue to improve."

Interestingly, Iowa is also handling a similar two-quarterback platoon as junior Jake Christensen and sophomore Ricky Stanzi are sharing snaps for the Hawkeyes.

While the shared snaps aren't ideal for Arnaud, they aren't unfamiliar. He was involved in a similar platoon late last season with Bret Meyer that helped spark the Cyclones to two victories in their final three games in 2007.

"It's definitely tough sharing the role and I don't have really advice for them," Arnaud said. "It's a week-long process focusing and getting ready. And I approach it the same way when Phillip is in the game. You always have to be ready to go back in and do what you can."

ISU has dominated the recent series, claiming seven of the last 10 games in the Cy-Hawk Rivalry. The importance of the game is elevated because of the lack of major-league sports in Iowa.

"This game is huge ... it's important to a lot of people," Chizik said. "There are so many passionate people for both Iowa and Iowa State. We don't have the NFL or the NBA or things like that in this state and this becomes the substitute for professional sports. This state will be in a frenzy and that's what makes it important. It's bragging rights for 365 days."

The game couldn't be coming at a better time, providing a few moments of levity after the calamitous floods that have struck Eastern Iowa throughout the summer.

"This state needs this game after all it went through," Chizik said. "At least for the next week we'll be able take our minds all of the troubles and woes. It's important that we're playing this game and it will be fun."