#14 Iowa State at Baylor Preview
By Michael O’Deay (@MODeay70) Game 4 @ Baylor Kickoff: 2:30 PM TV Coverage: Fox Radio Coverage: Cyclone Radio Network
UNLV Recap: Iowa State handed UNLV a lopsided 48-3 loss at UNLV last Saturday. The Cyclones dominated all aspects of the game. Brock Purdy was 21-24 for 288 yards and 3 TDs. Breece Hall Rushed for 100 yards with 2 scores. In the final tune-up before Big 12 play ISU let the underclassmen play in the 4th quarter.
Know your opponent: Baylor is 3-0 with dominating performance 45-7 win vs Kansas. Baylor has also recorded wins against Texas Southern and Texas State.
The Series: Baylor leads the all time series 10-9. Iowa State won last years game in Ames 38-31. Baylor was leading 24-10 in the 3rd quarter when Brock Purdy recovered from a 3 pick 1st half, to lead ISU to 4 straight TD drives to take control of the game.
The Game: Iowa State looks to continue its momentum after last week’s big win. Baylor is looking for their first 4-0 start since the 2019 season. Baylor has a run heavy offense. The Bears have rushed the ball 133 times in 2021 for 970 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per rush. The running attack has scored 11 TDs. Baylor has a two headed rushing attack with Abram Smith (366 yards) and Trestan Ebner (327 yards). The QB Gerry Bohannon has completed 72.9% of his passes for 664 yards and 5 TDs with no picks. Iowa State has the number one overall defense allowing only 198 yards per game and has allowed the just 3.42 yards per play. The Cyclones run defense has allowed an average of 50.7 yards per game and a paltry 1.58 yards per carry. On offense Xavier Hutchinson is the leading receiver with 20 receptions for 243 yards and 2 TDs.
Keys to the game: 1) Stop the run 2) Convert 3rd Downs 3) Force Baylor Turnovers
Baylor has the 5th best running attack averaging 321.3 yards per game. Iowa State has struggled on 3rd down conversions, converting only 12 of 35 attempts. Baylor has yet to throw an interception this season, however, they have lost fumbles. ISU has thrown 3 picks and lost two fumbles. Baylor is much improved from 2020.
Prediction: Iowa State 31 Baylor 21
Pettiness: In 2019 ISU didn’t apply in time to have a tent on their sideline. I still don’t know why the application is important. ESPN showed a graphic during the game the air temperature was 94, Baylor’s sideline was 95, Iowa State’s sideline was 122. I’m not throwing a tenter tantrum but that was ridiculous.
Go Cyclones!