The Iowa State and Iowa football teams gear up for their respective spring games on Saturday. The Cyclones will be in search of their third straight bowl trip next season and coach Dan McCarney says the excitement over the program continues to build.McCarney says spring is a great time to evaluate talent because unlike the regular season the top players on offense go up against the top players on defense. He says going “best against best” gives him a lot to look and lets him know how well each player is doing.McCarney says this spring has been important as the Cyclones prepare for an ambitious 13-game schedule next season. He says they only have 15 weeks before the newcomers report, and a long schedule ahead after that.Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes have accomplished a lot during workouts. He says they’ve had a good off-season and that’s carried over into spring.Ferentz says Brad Banks has taken advantage of the opportunity to establish himself as the starting quarterback. Ferentz says those behind Banks are coming along too.