No. 13 Baylor (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at Iowa State (1-3, 0-0), noon (FS1)
Line: Baylor by 17
Series Record: Baylor leads 8-6.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Teams that lose road games at Iowa State typically don’t win Big 12 titles, and Baylor needs some wins with a three-game stretch at Texas, vs. TCU and at Oklahoma looming in a few weeks. For the Cyclones, beating a ranked opponent would give their fans tangible proof that the program’s rebuilding project is ahead of schedule.
KEY MATCHUP
Baylor WR KD Cannon vs. Iowa State’s secondary. The Cyclones might be stronger at defensive back than any other position group. But they haven’t seen anyone like Cannon yet in 2016. Cannon already has 370 yards receiving and four TDs — and it’s a lot easier to throw the ball in Ames now that Iowa State has bowled in one of its end zones.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Dakota State: QB Seth Russell. He has heated up over the past two weeks, throwing for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns. There should be plays to be made against a defense that gave up 42 against Iowa and 41 against TCU.
Iowa State: RB Mike Warren. After an extremely slow start, Warren has gained 198 yards in his last two games. But Baylor is allowing just 310 yards per game and Iowa State’s line, while improved, is hardly a strong suit these days. Still, Warren torched the Bears for 145 yards in 2015.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Cyclones have four freshmen offensive linemen listed in their latest depth chart. …Baylor leads the nation in pass efficiency defense and is fifth in tackles for loss. …Given how good the Bears have been in recent years compared to the Cyclones, the last two meetings were relatively close. Baylor beat Iowa State 45-27 last year and 49-28 in 2014 in Ames. …A win would move the Bears to 2-0 in the Big 12 for the fourth straight year.