Iowa State vs. Baylor: Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Big 12 game in our Baylor vs Iowa State preview and prediction.
Game Info
6:00 p.m. Central Time, Saturday November 7th, 2020, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa.
TV: FS1
Baylor Radio: Baylor IMG Sports Network
Iowa State Radio: Cyclones Radio Network
Spread: Iowa State (-13.5)
Fun Fact: Since 2013, Baylor is 5-2 against Iowa State however the Cyclones have won two out of the last three meetings.
Key Players
Baylor Bears
The Offensive Line
Forget about Charlie Brewer and the weapons around him for a minute. This offensive line has been bad since the season started. I know this unit needs time to gel and on a shortened offseason, it has not helped but this was worse than I expected. Baylor is dead last in the Big 12 in rushing offense and has given up 14 sacks in just 4 games. If Baylor wants to stick around in this game, this unit needs to put on their big boy pants and get things figured out.
LB Terrel Bernard
Terrel is the leader of this defense and rightfully so. In just four games, Terrel has racked up 47 tackles and 3 sacks so far this season. He is everywhere for this defense and will need to do the same on Saturday.
Iowa State Cyclones
RB Breece Hall
All aboard the Breece Hall train. Breece is the nation’s leading power five rusher and has 11 rushing scores on the season. He is averaging an eye popping 150.2 rushing yards per game and has been tearing it up this season. Unfortunately, his work is going unrecognized nationally but not here. He is the key to the Iowa State offense.
DE Will McDonald and DE JaQuan Bailey
Meet the deadly duo of Will McDonald and JaQuan Bailey. Both guys are playing like all conference selections and if you look at the sack leaders in the Big 12, you will find both of their names at the top. If the Cyclones can jump out to a lead, these two can pin their ears back and get to the quarterback against a struggling Baylor offensive line.
Game Plan
Baylor Bears
I think Baylor should start playing the control the clock offense in this game. Their offensive line cannot hold up against an Iowa State pass rush so they should limit their drop backs with Charlie Brewer and keep the football on the ground if they can. Establish the run if possible and build the passing game from the play action. But the question is, can they rush for over 75 yards against Iowa State? Defensively, the focus must be to stop Breece Hall at all costs. Make Brock Purdy find someone else outside of his tight ends.
Iowa State Cyclones
Run, Run, and run Breece Hall. Iowa State just faced the worst rush defense when they played Kansas last weekend and now this weekend, they get to play the second worst Big 12 rush defense in Baylor. They do not need to get super aggressive on offense here. Feed Breece Hall and let Brock throw when Baylor sells out to stop the run. Just feel the flow on offense. Defensively, attack, attack, and attack. Baylor has all sorts of issues up front and I expect Iowa State to bring all kinds of pressure to keep Charlie Brewer running.
Prediction
Iowa State: 31 Baylor: 14
The Cyclones are just too talented on both sides of the ball this season, while the Bears appear to be in possibly more of a rebuild than we expected in the strange season that is 2020. Iowa State rolls to victory.
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