Baylor gets homecoming in Waco on Saturday, and the Bears will do it with Joe Klanderman on the sideline again as the interim head coach. It’s his second game in that role after Baylor moved on from Dave Aranda following the loss to Kansas two weeks ago.
Klanderman, Baylor’s defensive coordinator, is still in audition mode. He’d like the permanent job, and this matchup with Iowa State gives him another chance to make his case while the Bears try to keep the momentum from last weekend’s win in Orlando over UCF.
The challenge is a Cyclones team that just pulled off a 51-49 upset of Oklahoma State. Iowa State has not been a consistent offense this season, but it does have a clear engine in running back Aiden Flora. The Cyclones are averaging 370 yards per game, which ranks second-worst in the Big 12, while Baylor sits eighth in the league at 434 yards per game.
That edge in production could matter, especially up front. Iowa State is last in the Big 12 with 10 total sacks, and the Bears have a chance to keep DJ Lagway clean if the Cyclones can’t generate pressure. Baylor has shuffled its offensive line combinations this season, but this matchup could offer a cleaner look for that group.
The main problem for Baylor is Flora. He leads the Big 12 with 117 rushing yards per game and just gashed Oklahoma State for 221 yards on the ground last week. If the Bears can slow him down, the next step is forcing quarterback Jaylen Raynor to carry the load.
Raynor has thrown 10 touchdown passes this season, but he’s also been intercepted five times. Baylor’s path is pretty clear: make Iowa State throw, and make Raynor win it through the air.
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Baylor's Big Win Came With One Problem Fans Can't Ignore
Baylors 42-31 win over Iowa State gave the Bears a much-needed boost, moving them to 6-3 and adding another quality result to a season that has started to find its footing. DJ Lagway was the engine again, piling up 345 yards and multiple touchdowns as Baylor kept pace in a game that had plenty of offense and a few uneasy stretches along the way.
The concern, though, was hard to miss early on, when Iowa State found room to move and Aiden Flora piled up 182 rushing yards. Baylor did settle in and blank the Cyclones in the third quarter, but the uneven defensive start left a lingering question even after the final score turned in the Bears favor. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Faces A Real Home Test After Iowa States Breakthrough Win
Iowa States upset of No. 24 Oklahoma State gave the Cyclones a much-needed jolt in Week 9 and changed the feel around their stretch run. At 4-4, they are still chasing bowl eligibility, and the margin for error is thin with two more wins needed, including a road trip to face Baylor next.
For the Bears, that makes this more than just another Big 12 matchup. Baylor gets a team coming in with confidence after its first win over a ranked opponent this season, and the Cyclones will have plenty to play for as they try to keep their postseason hopes alive. The early read on this one points to a game with a lot of pressure on both sides, even if the final shape of it is still hard to pin down. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Had One Especially Encouraging Sign In This Blowout Win
Baylor opened the season 2-0 in emphatic fashion, rolling past Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 56 points and giving the Bears plenty to like beyond the final margin. The most encouraging development may have been the breakout from Isaac Williams IV, who delivered a career-high 26 points while also chipping in on the glass, in the playmaking column and on defense.
Isaac Williams was hardly the only Bear who left a mark. Dylan Mingo brought a strong defensive presence, UAB transfer Chatman added useful minutes, and the rotation got a look at Brett Decker and Elijah Williams even if the shooting was uneven at times. For Baylor, the blowout offered more than a comfortable win. It hinted at depth, versatility and a few early signs of who might be ready to carry more of the load as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]