Game Info
Baylor Bears vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Saturday – September 27 – 7:00pm
TV: FOX
Jack Trice Stadium – Ames
The Baylor Bears are once again riding high this year with an offense that sets a torrid pace and a defense that seems to not have missed much of a step despite losing significant contributors from last season.
Baylor (3-0, 0-0) enters their first Big 12 matchup of the season with Iowa State (1-2, 0-1) at Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA ranked number seven in the AP Poll and looking to win their ninth conference game in their last 10 matchups.
Whether it’s Bryce Petty or Seth Russell, and no matter how many wide receivers they’ve missed, Baylor’s passing offense has been fantastic. With Antwan Goodley, Levi Norwood, Corey Coleman, and Clay Fuller out for all or most of the season so far, they really haven’t missed a step in the passing offense. KD Cannon may be a freshman but he’s already caught five touchdowns this year, and is the closest thing to Dez Bryant I’ve seen since the current Dallas Cowboys was playing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
“KD’s success just affirmed what we felt like we knew coming in – he is a really good football player that is ready for prime time,” Baylor head coach Art Briles said of his freshman receiver. “A lot of time it transfers from high school to college, college to the NFL. A great player in high school is going to be a great player in college, and eventually the NFL.”
By pure stats, Baylor has an argument at having the best defense in college football through three games. In terms of what has actually happened, it’s been that good. Once you adjust for the offenses faced, things don’t look as rosy. Still, there’s plenty to be excited about. Baylor’s DL has been the biggest single factor in a defense that is #13 in Havoc Rate, #2 in team sacks (15 so far), #5 in team tackles for loss (28 so far), and #18 in team passing efficiency defense. They’ve been so good, in fact, that we really haven’t gotten a solid look yet at the linebackers or the secondary.
With all this being said I expect another all-around solid performance by the Bears and expect them to beat the Cyclones rather easily 49-21 to get their first Big 12 victory of the season.
