The Baylor Bears and the Iowa State Cyclones are set to square off in an important Big 12 conference matchup this Saturday. Iowa State enters the game undefeated, boasting a perfect 4-0 record and riding high after a convincing 20-0 win over Houston last week. The Cyclones’ defense has been their cornerstone, allowing just 10.2 points per game, and they rank in the top 15 nationally in several defensive categories. Head coach Matt Campbell has his team playing disciplined football, and Iowa State’s ability to control the tempo and dominate time of possession has been key to their early-season success. Baylor, on the other hand, has had a rough start to the year.

At 2-3, the Bears have struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball. Last week’s 34-28 loss to BYU highlighted some of their issues, as the Bears’ defense gave up over 400 total yards. Quarterback Dequan Finn has shown flashes of brilliance but has been hampered by turnovers and a lack of protection from his offensive line. Baylor’s rushing attack, led by Richard Reese, has been effective at times, but without sustained drives, they’ve often found themselves playing from behind. For Iowa State, the game plan will revolve around keeping the Bears’ offense off the field. Quarterback Rocco Becht has been efficient, managing games well and relying on a powerful rushing attack led by Cartevious Norton. If the Cyclones can establish the run early, it will open up play-action opportunities against a Baylor defense that has struggled to stop the pass. The Cyclones’ defense will aim to pressure Finn and force him into making mistakes, as they’ve thrived on turnovers this season. Overall, Iowa State’s balanced attack and dominant defense make them favorites to maintain their perfect record and keep their Big 12 title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Baylor will need to play a nearly flawless game to pull off the upset on the road.