Aug 31, 2019; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Matt Rhule during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 30, Baylor 17
Check out this week’s Thesis for more.
Jared Stansbury, Staff Writer – Iowa State 31, Baylor 28
This game feels so evenly matched. The way Charlie Brewer is able to make plays with his feet is really concerning to me, though, considering the way we’ve seen mobile quarterbacks give the Cyclones trouble in the past. This one comes down to a few key plays and whoever is able to take advantage of those moments.
Brent Blum, Contributor – Iowa State 30, Baylor 27
Baylor is good..we think. Iowa State has faced the much stiffer competition up to this point. I think this goes down to the wire in very hot Waco. Temps are expected to be in the mid to upper 90s. Can the Cyclones stand up in the heat? I believe so.
Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Iowa State 30, Baylor 21
If Charlie Brewer’s allowed to freelance much with his legs, the defense could be in trouble. I expect Coach Heacock’s group to have some solutions for that, though — especially since it was an issue in the ULM win. Baylor appears to be solid in all phases, but I don’t think the Bears have been remotely tested by Stephen F. Austin, UTSA and Rice. I actually think the hot, humid conditions favor the Cyclones, who have demonstrated they have quality depth.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 33, Baylor 29
Does anyone really know anything about Baylor? They’ve played teams nicknamed the Lumberjacks, Roadrunners, and Owls. Name those schools without looking it up. (note: schools in Texas have weird names)
What I do know about Baylor is their offense— with Brewer— works well on schedule (like Iowa/Nate Stanley) and off (like UNI/McElwain). Iowa State has played both. The off-schedule stuff makes me a little nervous, but I also think the diversity of ISU’s offense is hard to stop when clicking.
Baylor scores most of their points on intentionally junky/off-schedule plays but Iowa State stays efficient. Turnovers are huge.
Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Baylor 34, Iowa State 28
Both teams are good. The margin will be narrow and it is likely to be special teams or one big play that causes a team to win or lose. I think Brewer’s scramble and playmaking ability proves to be the difference here and covers up some defensive mistakes. But, no end result will surprise me.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Contributor – Iowa State 42, Baylor 37
I’m on a plane to Vegas so I’ll keep this short… Baylor struggles against its first true tough opponent of the season, while the Iowa State offense continues to click after ULM. I’ll predict a high-scoring affair in which the ISU defense does just enough to pull off the win.
Kirk Haaland, Stats Nerd – Iowa State 31, Baylor 24
Iowa State hasn’t won a conference-opening game on the road since September 30, 2000, when the Cyclones traveled to… Waco, TX and handed the Baylor Bears a 31-17 loss.
The Cyclone offense is gaining 60 percent of available yards (13th in the country) they just haven’t been able to convert that to points until last Saturday. The Baylor defense has been solid against not-so-solid competition but they haven’t created many turnovers. The Cyclone defense will need to play well, Charlie Brewer and the Bears seemed to figure things out late in the game last year to make a late charge to threaten Iowa State’s lead. I think history repeats itself almost 19 years to the day and the Cyclones come out with a victory that is tight throughout but a couple of key turnovers sway the game in Iowa State’s favor.
