Last year’s Baylor-Iowa State game was probably about as embarrassing as it gets for Iowa State football — specifically, the end was a disaster. The Cyclones had finally scored to make it 64-7 with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, and the agony seemed to be over ... except the Bears returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. That about sums up these respective schools’ 2013 seasons, and 2014 might not be much different.
How to watch Baylor vs. Iowa State: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
This can’t be as bad as last year’s 71-7 drubbing, right?
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Granted, ISU has played much better since its season-opening 20-point loss to FCS North Dakota State. The Cyclones hung around with Kansas State at home and knocked off Iowa on the road. Those are both respectable performances. However, the Cyclones’ defense will face its toughest test of the season, while the offense probably doesn’t have the firepower to keep up. On the bright side, this probably won’t end 71-7 — though if it was played after the first week, we probably wouldn’t be so sure.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Online streaming: Fox Sports Go
The numbers
Rankings and records: Baylor is 3-0, and the Bears are ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the Coaches Poll. Iowa State is 1-2 and unranked.
Vegas: Baylor opened as a 22-point favorite and is now a 21-point favorite. The over/under is 68.5.
Weather forecast: Upper 60s and partly cloudy in Ames, Iowa.
Two things at stake
For Baylor to have a chance to win the Big 12, it might have to win every game this season. Losing to Iowa State would put the Bears in a major hole.
Iowa State really doesn’t have anything to lose in this game, but winning would go a long way toward gaining respectability and bowl eligibility.
One big matchup
Baylor passing game vs. Iowa State pass defense: Iowa State’s pass defense ranks 71st in the nation, according to Football Outsiders, which is bad news against a Baylor passing game that has obliterated its (relatively weak) opponents so far. The Bears are going to move the ball to some degree, but for Iowa State to have any chance in this game, the Cyclones are going to have to stop the Baylor passing attack. That’s a pretty tall task. But even if ISU doesn’t win, showing progress against the Bears’ passing game would be a good sign heading into the season’s final eight games.
Further reading
Read Our Daily Bears for more on Baylor and Wide Right & Natty Lite for more on Iowa State.
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