Older. Wiser. Better.

AMES - Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is so old ...

How old is he?

“I think he's older than two of my staff members,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads quipped when asked about the Cowboys' star behind center, who turned 28 last month.

Rhoads turned stone-faced serious when discussing the former minor league baseball player's talents, however.

“Brandon Weeden is a phenomenal quarterback,” said Rhoads, whose team laces up against Weeden and second-ranked Oklahoma State in Friday's 7 p.m. ESPN-televised Big 12 game at Jack Trice Stadium. “I don't see any weaknesses or blemishes to his game. This offensive football team is scary explosive, maybe the best I've ever been a part of a staff we try to defend.”

Weeden, who owns a 31-9 touchdown to interception ratio, is so good. ...

How good is he?

“He looks like an NFL quarterback out there,” said Cyclone linebacker Jake Knott. “The control of the game - it looks like he's not even trying really. He's just one of those guys, he just has it. He's going to be extremely tough to defend with his arm and his decision making.”

Weeden has emerged from relative obscurity to become a front-runner in the Heisman Trophy race. He ranks third nationally in passing yards per game (363.5) and fourth in passing efficency.

He's thrown three or more touchdown passes in seven of 10 games this season - including a five-touchdown effort in last week's 66-6 trouncing of Texas Tech.

“He does not miss throws,” Rhoads said.

Really, he doesn't.

“I've watched, probably, six of their games from start to finish and I haven't seen him throw that bad of a pass,” Knott said. “The only bad passes I've seen him throw is if he meant to throw it out of bounds or something like that. The only others were wide receiver drops or something like that. You can tell he's older than everybody else out there.”

Older, better and wiser.

“This is a guy that's travelled a lot of buses so to speak,” Rhoads said. “And he understands athletics. He understands this stage. That maturity, that intelligence in certainly paying off for their football program.”

So how can be be stopped?

“I wouldn't mind if it was snowy and windy,” Knott said. “But either way, I think their offense would be able to execute no matter what.”

The forecast apparently won't cooperate - it's supposed to be in at least the 40s by kickoff.

So to counter Weeden and stars such as wide receiver Justin Blackmon, a shootout may be required.

“I feel like our offense is really going to start picking up some steam and really start going,” said ISU's 19-year-old quarterback Jared Barnett, who will make his third career start.

GARY CHARGED: Rhoads said reserve wide receiver Albert Gary has been “officially” charged with robbery, but will be available for Friday's game. Rhoads said he had already suspended Gary for three games earlier this season in anticipation of the charge, which Rhoads said stems from an incident in June.

"Another step in the legal process is just now reaching its conclusion," Rhoads said. "That is where we are at. We will continue to allow the legal process to work and continue to cooperate fully as we move forward."

An Iowa State Department of Public Safety spokesman said documents pertaining to the incident are being finalized and thus were not available to the public as of late Monday afternoon. Gary, a junior from Ocala, Fla., has seven catches for 76 yards this season.

ON THE MEND: Offensive tackle Brayden Burris has returned to practice after recovering from a fractured leg bone. Rhoads said he is still unlikely to play this week. ... Special teams player Tyler Leo and starting guard Ethan Tuftee had knees scoped last week, Rhoads said. “We are hopeful both will be back and active for this game,” Rhoads said.